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Yama (Samskrit : यमः) also called as Dharmaraja is the much feared ruler of Dharma or righteousness, wherein 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.  The path of travel to higher realms namely Devayana and Pritruyana are dependent on the Karma (deeds) and the knowledge attained by a Jiva or soul, all of which is clearly accounted for in the records maintained by Yama.  

Yama (Samskrit : यमः) also called as Dharmaraja is the much feared ruler of Kala and Dharma (righteousness), wherein 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 Pritruyana are dependent on the Karma (deeds) and the knowledge attained by a Jiva or soul, all of which is clearly accounted for in the records maintained by Yama. A brief outline about all the characteristics of Yama are as given below.

== Yama as one Devata ==

== Yama Devataswaroopam ==

Amongst the many devatas who are glorified, Yamaraja is one. Varuna, Indra, Soma are also in the same category. ||Dyu loka (land of light ) is under the control of Yama. <blockquote>"यत्र रज वय्वस्वतह, यत्र अवरोधनम् दिवहह् || (Rik Samhita 11.113.8)"</blockquote><blockquote>"yatra raja vayvasvataha, yatra avarodhanam divahah || (Rik Samhita 11.113.8)"</blockquote>The upper planets (Urdhva loka) are three in number and two are controlled by  savitri, and one is controlled by Yama. Rig Veda (1.35.6).<blockquote>"तिस्रो द्यावः सवितुर द्वा उपस्थां एका यमस्य भुवने विराषाट |"</blockquote><blockquote>"आणिं न रथ्यम अम्र्ताधि तस्थुर इह बरवीतु य उ तच चिकेतत ||"</blockquote><blockquote>"tisro dyāvaḥ savitur dvā upasthāṃ ekā yamasya bhuvane virāṣāṭ |"</blockquote><blockquote>"āṇiṃ na rathyam amṛtādhi tasthur iha bravītu ya u tac ciketat ||"</blockquote>Swarga or heaven are three in number, of which two, the Dyurloka and Bhuloka are under the control of the Surya. One is under the control of Yama.  Sayanacharaya says the Yama contorls the middle plantet Antariksha.     Yama Loka is described as Param Vyoma,   the dead along with the pitris (ancestors)  go to this  place, where Yama is the mentor. This is also explained in the Vedas (ruk Samhita 10.14.8). Therefore, one should not consider Yama Loka (Yama planet) as the land of suffering alone, such understanding denotes a very limited and narrow understanding. This larger understanding as explained in the Vedas demolishes the common notions prevalent among people,  Yamaloka being an infernal place. Of course, this does not mean that the hellish planet Naraka does not exist. Naraka exists and Yamaraja is the controller of this planet. Yama’s functions as described by  Yaska in the Nirukta (10.2-20) can be summarised 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 causes death to all the beings he is called as Antaka.  Yama’s main responsibility is to give different destination according to the  piety and impiety of jiva, therefore he is called as Antaka .  It is also explained that Yama strolls along with other devatas (Rik Samhita 10.135.1). Therefore it is not correct to say that Yamaraj is only the master of the Naraka loka(hell).  The previous episodes describe Nachiketa’s journey to Yamaloka and the realisation he had was the yama loka was the resting place of his pitris (ancestors). He also heard the playing of the flute (Rik Samhita 10.135.7).

Amongst the many devatas who are glorified, Yamaraja is one. Varuna, Indra, Soma are also in the same category. ||Dyu loka (land of light ) is under the control of Yama. <blockquote>"यत्र रज वय्वस्वतह, यत्र अवरोधनम् दिवहह् || (Rik Samhita 11.113.8)"</blockquote><blockquote>"yatra raja vayvasvataha, yatra avarodhanam divahah || (Rik Samhita 11.113.8)"</blockquote>The upper planets (Urdhva loka) are three in number and two are controlled by  savitri, and one is controlled by Yama. Rig Veda (1.35.6).<blockquote>"तिस्रो द्यावः सवितुर द्वा उपस्थां एका यमस्य भुवने विराषाट |"</blockquote><blockquote>"आणिं न रथ्यम अम्र्ताधि तस्थुर इह बरवीतु य उ तच चिकेतत ||"</blockquote><blockquote>"tisro dyāvaḥ savitur dvā upasthāṃ ekā yamasya bhuvane virāṣāṭ |"</blockquote><blockquote>"āṇiṃ na rathyam amṛtādhi tasthur iha bravītu ya u tac ciketat ||"</blockquote>Swarga or heaven are three in number, of which two, the Dyurloka and Bhuloka are under the control of the Surya. One is under the control of Yama.  Sayanacharaya says the Yama contorls the middle plantet Antariksha.     Yama Loka is described as Param Vyoma,   the dead along with the pitris (ancestors)  go to this  place, where Yama is the mentor. This is also explained in the Vedas (ruk Samhita 10.14.8). Therefore, one should not consider Yama Loka (Yama planet) as the land of suffering alone, such understanding denotes a very limited and narrow understanding. This larger understanding as explained in the Vedas demolishes the common notions prevalent among people,  Yamaloka being an infernal place. Of course, this does not mean that the hellish planet Naraka does not exist. Naraka exists and Yamaraja is the controller of this planet. Yama’s functions as described by  Yaska in the Nirukta (10.2-20) can be summarised 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 causes death to all the beings he is called as Antaka.  Yama’s main responsibility is to give different destination according to the  piety and impiety of jiva, therefore he is called as Antaka .  It is also explained that Yama strolls along with other devatas (Rik Samhita 10.135.1). Therefore it is not correct to say that Yamaraj is only the master of the Naraka loka(hell).  The previous episodes describe Nachiketa’s journey to Yamaloka and the realisation he had was the yama loka was the resting place of his pitris (ancestors). He also heard the playing of the flute (Rik Samhita 10.135.7).

== Yama in mahabharata ==

== Yama in mahabharata ==

"Yudhishthira said, 'Do thou discourse to me once again, O grandsire, upon the merits attaching to gifts of sesame and of lamps for lighting darkness, as also of food and robes.'

"Yudhishthira said, 'Do thou discourse to me once again, O grandsire, upon the merits attaching to gifts of sesame and of lamps for lighting darkness, as also of food and robes.'

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. Thus the right of the crows to eat offerings of rice, originated from that time.

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. Thus the right of the crows to eat offerings of rice, originated from that time.

== Worship of Yama ==

== Worship of Yama ==

Yamapanchakas is the period of time starting from Asweyuja Krishna Trayodasi till Kaartika Suddha Tritiya.  The Day of Narakachaturdashi  falls in between Sacred scripts prescribe that after taking bath on Naraka Chaturdasi day all those who are eligible to offer Pithru tharpana should give Thila Tharpanam in the name of Yama Dharma Raja (God of Death) called Yama Tharpanam by reciting the following sloka containing 14 names of Lord Yama Dharma Raja. 

Yamapanchakas is the period of time starting from Asweyuja Krishna Trayodasi till Kaartika Suddha Tritiya.  The Day of Narakachaturdashi  falls in between Sacred scripts prescribe that after taking bath on Naraka Chaturdasi day all those who are eligible to offer Pithru tharpana should give Thila Tharpanam in the name of Yama Dharma Raja (God of Death) called Yama Tharpanam by reciting the following sloka containing 14 names of Lord Yama Dharma Raja. 

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|}Yamaaya; Dharmarajaya; Mruthyave; Chaantakayacha;

Yamaaya; Dharmarajaya; Mruthyave; Chaantakayacha;

Vaivaswathaya; Kaalaaya; Sarva Bhootha Kshayayacha;

Vaivaswathaya; Kaalaaya; Sarva Bhootha Kshayayacha;

Scripts 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.

Scripts 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.

== References ==

== References ==

# VSP

# VSP

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

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