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*'''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).  

*'''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).  

== 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)<ref>[http://www.sanskritebooks.org/2009/07/amara-kosa-the-sanskrit-thesaurus-with-notes-index/ Amarakosha] (Page no 30)</ref>

धर्मराजः पितृपतिः समवर्ती परेतराट् | कृतान्तो यमुनाभ्राता शमनो यमराड् यमः || (Amara 1. स्वर्ग. 58)

धर्मराजः पितृपतिः समवर्ती परेतराट् | कृतान्तो यमुनाभ्राता शमनो यमराड् यमः || (Amara 1. स्वर्ग. 58)

Yama like other deities has many names, a few are Dharmaraja, Pitrupati, Samavarthi, Paretaraat, Kritaanto, Yamunabhraata, Shamana, Kaala, Dandadhara, Vaivasvata, Antaka among others.  

Yama like other deities has many names, a few are Dharmaraja, Pitrupati, Samavarthi, Paretaraat, Kritaanto, Yamunabhraata, Shamana, Kaala, Dandadhara, Vaivasvata, Antaka among others.  

Yama’s is described by Yaska in the Nirukta (10.2-20) as follows, <blockquote>"यच्छति उप रमयति जिवितम् सर्वम् भुत ग्रमन् इति यमह ||"</blockquote><blockquote>"yacchati upa ramayati jivitam sarvam bhuta graman iti yamaha ||"</blockquote>Because Yama causes death to all the beings he is called as Antaka.  Yama’s main responsibility is to give different destinations according to the vices and virtues of a jiva, therefore he is called as Antaka .

Yama’s is described by Yaska in the Nirukta (10.2-20)<ref>[http://vedicreserve.mum.edu/nirukta/nirukta.pdf Nirukta] </ref> as follows, <blockquote>"यच्छति उप रमयति जिवितम् सर्वम् भुत ग्रमन् इति यमह ||"</blockquote><blockquote>"yacchati upa ramayati jivitam sarvam bhuta graman iti yamaha ||"</blockquote>Because Yama causes death to all the beings he is called as Antaka.  Yama’s main responsibility is to give different destinations according to the vices and virtues of a jiva, therefore he is called as Antaka .

"यमु उपरमे" is the Dhatu or the root word from where "यम शब्द" is obtained. Swami Dayanand's commentaries of the Vedas have expressed that Yama also means Paramatma (While Nachiketa means Jivatma). Example : यमः = यन्ता (परमेश्वरः) (Yaju. 35.1 Maharshi Bhashyam)

"यमु उपरमे" is the Dhatu or the root word from where "यम शब्द" is derived from. Swami Dayanand's commentaries of the Vedas have expressed that Yama also means Paramatma (While Nachiketa means Jivatma). Example : यमः = यन्ता (परमेश्वरः) (Yaju. 35.1 Maharshi Bhashyam)

== Role of Yama ==

== Role of Yama ==

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).   

He gave a blessing that in future, when human beings worship the pitrus by offering rice to them, the crows will have the right to eat that rice.  

He gave a blessing that in future, when human beings worship the pitrus by offering rice to them, the crows will have the right to eat that rice.  

== Worship of Yama ==

== Worship of Yama ==

A special mention of worship of Yama is made here since Yama is feared in general and his worship is less known. However, during the time of Deepavali, Yama is worshipped. Yamapanchakas is the period of time starting from Asweyuja Krishna Trayodasi (13th day of the Second half of Asweyuja month) till Kaartika Suddha Tritiya (3rd day of the First half of Kaartika month).  The Day of Narakachaturdashi  falls in between this time. Sacred texts like Dharmasindhu prescribe that after taking bath on Naraka Chaturdasi day all those who are eligible to offer Pithru tharpana (offerings to ancestors) should give Thila Tharpanam (offering of sesame or gingelly seeds) in the name of Yamadeva (God of Death). This is called Yama Tharpanam, which is done by reciting the following mantras having the 14 names of Yamadharmaraja. 

A special mention of worship of Yama is made here since Yama is feared in general and his worship is less known. However, during the time of Deepavali, Yama is worshipped. Yamapanchakas is the period of time starting from Asweyuja Krishna Trayodasi (13th day of the Second half of Asweyuja month) till Kaartika Suddha Tritiya (3rd day of the First half of Kaartika month).  The Day of Narakachaturdashi  falls in between this time.  

 

Sacred texts like Dharmasindhu prescribe that after taking bath on Naraka Chaturdasi day all those who are eligible to offer Pithru tharpana (offerings to ancestors) should give Thila Tharpanam (offering of sesame or gingelly seeds) in the name of Yamadeva (Mrityudevata). This is called Yama Tharpanam, which is done by reciting the following mantras having the 14 names of Yamadharmaraja. 

'''Yamaaya; Dharmarajaya; Mruthyave; Chaantakayacha; Vaivaswathaya; Kaalaaya; Sarva Bhootha Kshayayacha; Audhumbaraya; Dhadnaaya; Neelaya; Paramestine; Vrukodaraya; Chitraya; Chitraguptayathe Namah'''

'''Yamaaya; Dharmarajaya; Mruthyave; Chaantakayacha; Vaivaswathaya; Kaalaaya; Sarva Bhootha Kshayayacha; Audhumbaraya; Dhadnaaya; Neelaya; Paramestine; Vrukodaraya; Chitraya; Chitraguptayathe Namah'''

Facing South, '''tarpanam''' should be given with water and black sesame seeds (thila) with Yagnopaveetham in Savya position like in Deva Tharpanam by reciting each name in the above sloka by adding Namah. For eg. Yamaaya Namah–Yamam Tharpayami; Dharmarajaya Namah – Dharmarajam Tharpayami; etc…… It is said and believed that giving Yama tharpana on this day is highly meritorious and one will get relief from suffering in Naraka Loka. 

Facing South, '''tarpanam''' should be given with water and black sesame seeds (thila) with Yagnopaveetham in Savya position like in Deva Tharpanam by reciting each name in the above sloka by adding Namah. For eg. Yamaaya Namah–Yamam Tharpayami; Dharmarajaya Namah – Dharmarajam Tharpayami; etc…… It is said and believed that giving Yama tharpana on this day is highly meritorious and one will get relief from suffering in Naraka Loka. 

Scriptures like Dharma Sindhu says that this Tharpana should be given by one and all irrespective of the fact whether father is alive or not. In case father is not alive it can be given in '''Savya/Apasavya''' position as said above. In case father is alive, it should be given with water and rice with Yagnopaveetham in Savya position.

According to Dharma Sindhu this Tharpana should be given by one and all irrespective of the fact whether one's father is alive or not. In case father is not alive tila tarpanas can be given with yagnopaveetam in Apasavya position. In case one's father is alive, it should be given with water and rice with yagnopaveetham in Savya position.

== References ==

== References ==

# Narayanacharya, K. S. (2011). ''Veda Samskrita Parichaya''. Hubli:​Sahitya Prakashana​.

# Narayanacharya, K. S. (2011). ''Veda Samskrita Parichaya''. Hubli:​Sahitya Prakashana​.

# Amarakosha Reference : <nowiki>http://www.sanskritebooks.org/2009/07/amara-kosa-the-sanskrit-thesaurus-with-notes-index/</nowiki> (Page no 30)

#  

# The Mahabharata, Book 13: Anusasana Parva: Section 68  

# The Mahabharata, Book 13: Anusasana Parva: Section 68  

# Puranic Encyclopedia : <nowiki>https://ia802606.us.archive.org/17/items/puranicencyclopa00maniuoft/puranicencyclopa00maniuoft.pdf</nowiki>

# Puranic Encyclopedia : <nowiki>https://ia802606.us.archive.org/17/items/puranicencyclopa00maniuoft/puranicencyclopa00maniuoft.pdf</nowiki>

# Acharya Raajveer Shastri, (2010). ''Upanishad Bhasyam - Isha, Kena, Katha.'' Delhi:Arsha Sahitya Prachar Trust

# Acharya Raajveer Shastri, (2010). ''Upanishad Bhasyam - Isha, Kena, Katha.'' Delhi:Arsha Sahitya Prachar Trust