Yama
Lord of Death and Dharma
Yama is the god of death and the lord of dharma, presiding over the afterlife and judging souls based on their karmic deeds. Riding a black buffalo and wielding a noose to capture souls, he maintains cosmic justice and the cycle of rebirth. He is both feared and respected as the inevitable force that brings every life to its conclusion.
Attributes & Domains
Mythology & Stories
Yama is the first mortal who died, and thus became the god of death and the path-finder for all who follow. He judges the dead with perfect fairness, consulting the records kept by Chitragupta. Souls are sent to heaven, hell, or back to rebirth based on their karmic balance.
Key Myths:
- The First Mortal: Yama chose mortality, exploring the path of death to guide future souls. His twin sister Yami (later the river goddess Yamuna) pleaded with him not to die, but he accepted his fate.
- Savitri and Satyavan: When Yama came to claim Satyavan's soul, his devoted wife Savitri followed them. Impressed by her devotion and wisdom, Yama granted her boons, ultimately returning her husband to life.
- Testing Yudhishthira: In the Mahabharata, Yama tested Yudhishthira's adherence to dharma through various trials, including appearing as a dog and a yaksha with philosophical questions.
Relationships
Family
- Parents: Son of Surya (sun god) and Saranyu
- Twin Sister: Yami (goddess of the Yamuna river)
- Consort: Dhumorna (representing smoke from funeral pyres)
- Siblings: Manu (first man), Ashvins (divine physicians)
Servants & Associates
- Chitragupta: Divine recorder who maintains the book of karma for all souls
- Yamadutas: His messenger servants who retrieve souls at the time of death
Worship & Rituals
Sacred Sites
Yama is rarely worshipped in dedicated temples, though shrines exist in South India. He is honored during ancestor worship rituals and funeral rites.
Festivals
- Yama Dwitiya (Bhai Dooj): The day celebrating the bond between brothers and sisters, commemorating Yama's visit to his sister Yami
Offerings
Black sesame seeds, food offerings for ancestors (shraddha), water libations
Related Across the Mythos
Pasha (Noose)
Divine Weapon
The noose that captures souls at death
Danda (Staff)
Staff of Justice
Symbol of dharmic authority
Chitragupta
Divine Scribe
Keeper of the karmic records