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Yama (Sanskrit : यमः) also called as Dharmaraja is the much feared ruler of Kala and Dharma (righteousness), according to Sanatana Dharma principles, after death every deed done by a person are taken into account and the elevation of soul is then decided. A Jiva's path of travel to higher realms namely Devayana and Pitruyana are dependent on the Karma (deeds) and the knowledge attained by a Jiva or soul, the records of which are maintained by Yama.

Yama (Sanskrit : यमः) also called as Dharmaraja is the much feared ruler of Kala and Dharma (righteousness). According to Sanatana Dharma principles, after death every deed done by a person when alive are taken into account and the elevation of soul is then decided. A Jiva's path of travel to higher realms namely Devayana and Pitruyana are dependent on the Karma (deeds) and the knowledge attained by a Jiva or soul, the records of which are maintained by Yama.

== Introduction ==

== परिचय || Introduction ==

Yama though is associated with Dharma, is also feared as the god of death. Following are a few important aspects about Yama as given in various texts.

Yama though is associated with Dharma, is also feared as the god of death. Following are a few important aspects about Yama as given in various texts.

* '''Dikpalaka''' : Yama, the ruler of the 'South' direction is one among the Astadikpalakas as per the Devi bhagavata (Astama skanda). The name of the city ruled by him is Samyamani.  

* '''दिक्पालकः || Dikpalaka''' : Yama, the ruler of the 'South' direction is one among the Astadikpalakas as per the Devi bhagavata (Astama skanda). The name of the city ruled by him is Samyamani.  

* '''Yamadharma''' : Yama is famed for his impartial administration of justice to all the beings who reach Yamaloka after death. Based on their virtues or vices, he assigns suitable punishments depending on the severity of sins in their earthly lives and '''sends them to Naraka (hell)'''. '''<u>are all sent to naraka</u>'''  

* '''धर्माधिकारी || Dharmadhikari''' : Yama is famed for his impartial administration of justice to all the beings who reach Yamaloka after death. Based on their virtues or vices, he assigns suitable punishments depending on the severity of sins in their earthly lives and are all sent to naraka (hell).   

* '''Agrasandhani''' : As a time and book keeper, Yama records the virtuous and sinful acts of men in this book named Agrasandhani, and Chitragupta, his associate ensures the enforcement of justice.  

* '''अग्रसन्धनी || Agrasandhani''' : As a time and book keeper, Yama records the virtuous and sinful acts of men in this book named Agrasandhani, and Chitragupta, his associate ensures the enforcement of justice.  

*'''Yama avataras''' :  Yama was born as Vidura, as he was cursed by Maharshi Animaandavya as seen in Mahabharata. Yudhisthira was the eldest of the Pandavas, who was born to Kunti, after invoking Yamadeva.   

*'''यमावतारम् || Yamavataras''' :  Yama was born as Vidura, as he was cursed by Maharshi Animaandavya as seen in Mahabharata. Yudhisthira was the eldest of the Pandavas, who was born to Kunti, after invoking Yamadeva.   

*'''Kaakaswaroopa''' :  Yama took the form of a Crow and escaped, when at King Marutta's Maheswara's sattrayaga, he saw Ravanasura. Pleased with crows, he blessed that crows will have the right to eat rice offered to pitrus or ancestors. (as in Uttararamayana)  

*'''काकस्वरूपम् || Kaakaswaroopa''' :  Yama took the form of a Crow and escaped, when at King Marutta's Maheswara's sattrayaga, he saw Ravanasura. Pleased with crows, he blessed that crows will have the right to eat rice offered to pitrus or ancestors. (as in Uttararamayana)  

*'''Ramaavatara Samaapti''' : At the end of Sri Rama's rule after 11,000 years, upon Brahmadeva's request Yama descends, on earth, in the form of a maharshi, to recall Sri Mahavishnu back to Vaikuntha. Yama visits Sri Rama and in the ensuing events, Lakshmana first enters Sarayu river followed by Sri Rama, thereby leaving the mortal forms.  

*'''रामावतारसमाप्ति समये Ramaavatara Samaapti''' : At the end of Sri Rama's rule after 11,000 years, upon Brahmadeva's request Yama descends, on earth, in the form of a maharshi, to recall Sri Mahavishnu back to Vaikuntha. Yama visits Sri Rama and in the ensuing events, Lakshmana first enters Sarayu river followed by Sri Rama, thereby leaving the mortal forms.  

*'''Maarkandeya Yamagaatha''' : The legend about Yama and Markandeya, a youth of sixteen years age, who prays to Shiva for longevity is well known. When Yama, in arrogance throws his noose around Markandeya who was holding the Shivalinga, Shiva appears and burns Yama to ashes, protecting Markandeya. Consequently, Yama is absent to govern the process of death. Another such age is the Kritayuga when Yama was not there and the earth was overcrowded with living beings.  

*'''यमगाथ || Yamagaatha''' : The legend about Yama and Markandeya, a youth of sixteen years age, who prays to Shiva for longevity is well known. When Yama, in arrogance throws his noose around Markandeya who was holding the Shivalinga, Shiva appears and burns Yama to ashes, protecting Markandeya. Consequently, Yama is absent to govern the process of death. Another such age is the Kritayuga when Yama was not there and the earth was overcrowded with living beings. The legend about Savitri, a mahapativrata, following Yamadeva to bring back her husband Satyavaan's life is very well known. Yama and Nachiketa legend reveals that Yama was knowledgeable about brahmavidya and he imparts it to Nachiketa. (Chandogya Upanishad).  

*'''Savitri Yamagaatha''' : The legend about Savitri, a mahapativrata, following Yamadeva to bring back her husband Satyavaan's life is very well known.

*'''Nachiketa Yamagaatha''' : Yama and Nachiketa legend reveals that Yama was knowledgeable about brahmavidya and he imparts it to Nachiketa. (Chandogya Upanishad).

== व्युत्पत्ति || Etymology ==

== व्युत्पत्ति || Etymology ==

'''[[Amarakosha]]''' defines the following about Yama in स्वर्गवर्गः (Prathama kanda Slokas 58 - 59)

'''[[Amarakosha]]''' defines the following about Yama in स्वर्गवर्गः (Prathama kanda Slokas 58 - 59)

Yama's chief role is that of time calculation and administration of impartial justice to all souls after their lifespan is completed on earth. Thus, he is much feared as the Mrityudeva (Devata for Death).   

Yama's chief role is that of time calculation and administration of impartial justice to all souls after their lifespan is completed on earth. Thus, he is much feared as the Mrityudeva (Devata for Death).   

=== धर्मराजः || Dharmaraja ===

=== धर्मराजः || Dharmaraja ===

Yama though kept at a distance as Mrityudevata, his role is highly acclaimed as the Dharmadevata. Yama is known for his meticulous book keeping and impartiality towards all beings and hence called as समवर्ती || Samavarthi. With this unyielding impartial nature he takes into account the minutest karmas of every being with the help of Chitragupta and accordingly assesses their path to further higher realms ([[Devayana and Pitrayana (देवयान मार्ग और पित्रयान मार्ग)|Devayana and Pitriyana]]). It is said that a soul after liberation from the mortal body is received by the agents of Yama and taken to Yamapuri. From there the holy souls are directed to Vaikuntha (the abode of Vishnu) or to the abode of Parabrahma and the sinful souls are sent to [[Naraka]] (Hell) to complete their time as per the nature and seriousness of their sins. Garuda Purana details the 28 different kinds of Narakas based on the sins committed.   

Yama though kept at a distance as Mrityudevata, his role is highly acclaimed as the Dharmadevata. Yama is known for his meticulous book keeping and impartiality towards all beings and hence called as समवर्ती || Samavarthi. With this unyielding impartial nature he takes into account the minutest karmas of every being with the help of Chitragupta and accordingly assesses their path to further higher realms ([[Devayana and Pitrayana (देवयान मार्ग और पित्रयान मार्ग)|Devayana and Pitriyana]]). It is said that a soul after liberation from the mortal body is received by the agents of Yama and taken to Yamapuri. From there the holy souls are directed to Vaikuntha (the abode of Vishnu) or to the realms of Parabrahma and the sinful souls are sent to [[Naraka]] (Hell) to complete their time as per the nature and seriousness of their sins. Garuda Purana details the 28 different kinds of Narakas based on the sins committed.   

Yama discloses the secrets of Dharma as per Mahabharata (Anus'''PUT FULL FORM''' . Parv. Chap. 130)

Yama discloses the secrets of Dharma as given in Mahabharata Anushasana Parva (Chap.130).

=== कालः || Kaala ===

=== समयपालक || Samayapalaka ===

Brahma, it is said assigns a time of existence or  lifespan for every being, to be spent on Bhuloka. In the sense of maintaining the longevity records of every being, Yama plays an important role as a timekeeper of every being that is born on prithvi (earth). Markandeya's legend explains the scrupulous time keeping sense of Yama, where He throws his pasha or noose around Markandeya at the end of his lifespan, and invites the wrath of Mahadeva.   

Brahma, it is said assigns a time of existence or  lifespan for every being, to be spent on Bhuloka. In the sense of maintaining the longevity records of every being, Yama plays an important role as a Samayapalaka or timekeeper of every being that is born on prithvi (earth). Markandeya's legend explains the scrupulous time keeping sense of Yama, where He throws his pasha or noose around Markandeya at the end of his lifespan, and invites the wrath of Mahadeva.   

=== पितृपतिः || Pitrupati ===

=== पितृपतिः || Pitrupati ===

Yama is the Adhipati or king of Pitruloka.  This loka is in the middle of the three worlds, bordered by Bhuloka on the southern side and Atalaloka on the upper end. Agnisvattas and other pitrs stay there in meditative trance for securing prosperity to those who come to pitruloka.  The efficacy of performing shraddha karmas, giving tila (gingelly seeds), jala (water), and anna (food) to Brahmana's and other shrouta dharmas are overseen by Yama.   

Yama is the Adhipati or king of Pitruloka.  This loka is in the middle of the three worlds, bordered by Bhuloka on the southern side and Atalaloka on the upper end. Agnisvattas and other pitrs stay there in meditative trance for securing prosperity to those who come to pitruloka.  The efficacy of performing shraddha karmas, giving tila (gingelly seeds), jala (water), and anna (food) to Brahmana's and other shrouta dharmas are overseen by Yama as mentioned in Mahabharata ().   

== Yama Devataswaroopam ==

== Yama Devataswaroopam ==

=== Birth and Family ===

=== Birth and Family ===

* Yama descended from Mahavishnu in the following order according to Puranic Encyclopedia:  

* Yama descended from Mahavishnu in the following order according to Puranic Encyclopedia<ref>Mani, V. (1975). ''[https://archive.org/details/puranicencyclopa00maniuoft Puranic encyclopaedia : A comprehensive dictionary with special reference to the epic and Puranic literature.]'' Delhi:Motilal Banasidass.</ref>:  

''Vishnu - Brahma - Marichi - Kasyapa - Surya - Yama.''

<blockquote>'''''Vishnu - Brahma - Marichi - Kasyapa - Surya - Yama'''''</blockquote>

* The birth of Yama is described in Vishnu Purana (Part 3, Chap 2). Yama is the son of Surya and Samjna.  Dhoomornaa is the name of Yama's wife. (Mahabharata. Udyoga Parva, Chapter 117, Verse 9).

* The birth of Yama is described in Vishnu Purana (Part 3, Chap 2)<ref>[http://www.astrojyoti.com/pdfs/DevanagariFiles/VishnuPurana.pdf Vishnu Purana] Page Number 188</ref>. Yama is the son of Surya and Samjna.  Dhoomornaa is the name of Yama's wife.  

<blockquote>यथा चन्द्रश्च रोहिण्यामुर्मिलायां[ण्यां '''धूमोर्णया''' '''यथा यमः'''। वरुणश्च यथा गौर्यां यथा चर्ध्यां[र्द्ध्यां] धनेश्वरः॥ 5-117-9 (Mahabharata. Udyoga Parva, Chapter 117, Verse 9).</blockquote>

* Yama is the brother of Manu, Yami, Sanaischara, Tapati and Manu (another one of same name) and Ashvinikumaras, Revanta and Bhaya.

* Yama is the brother of Manu, Yami, Sanaischara, Tapati and Manu (another one of same name) and Ashvinikumaras, Revanta and Bhaya.

== Yama in Vedas And Upanishads ==

== Yama in Vedas And Upanishads ==