Yama, also known as Kala and Dharmaraja, is the Hindu god of death and justice, responsible for the dispensation of law and punishment of sinners Naraka. He is often identified with Dharmadeva, the personification of Dharma, though the two deities have different origins and myths.
Yama is described as the twin of Yami, and the son of the sun god Surya (in earlier traditions Vivasvat) and Sanjna. He judges the souls of the dead and, depending on their deeds, assigns them to the realm of the Pitris (forefathers), Naraka (hell), or to be reborn on the earth.
As per Puranas, Yama is the son of Surya and Saranyu. He is the twin brother of Yami, brother of Shraddhadeva Manu and the step brother of Shani and his son was Katila.
Vedic literature states that Yama is the first mortal, and that he chose to die, and then proceeded to create a path to the “other world”, where deceased ancestral fathers reside. Due to being the first man to die, he is considered the chief of the dead, lord of settlers, and a father.
In the Garuda Purana, Yama and his realm where sinners are punished are detailed extensively, including in the twelfth chapter called ‘The Realm of Yama’. In this text, the name of Yama’s wife is Syamala.
Yama is one of the Lokapalas (guardians of the realms) and is one of the Dikpalas (guardians of directions). He is appointed as the protector of the south direction.
Iconography
He is often depicted as a dark-complexioned man riding a buffalo and carrying a noose or mace to capture souls.
The name of the Buffalo is Paundraka.
In Puranas, Yama is described as having four arms, protruding fangs, and complexion of storm clouds, with a wrathful expression; surrounded by a garland of flames; dressed in red, yellow, or blue garments; holding a noose and a mace or sword; and riding a water-buffalo. He holds a noose (pāśa) of rope in one hand, with which he seizes the lives of people who are about to die. He is also depicted holding a danda which is a Sanskrit word for “staff”.
Yama has two four-eyed, broad nosed, brindled, reddish-brown dogs, Sharvara and Shyama, who are the sons of Saramā.
As per Vishnu Dharmottara, Yama is said to be represented on a buffalo, with garments like of heated gold, and all kinds of ornaments. He has four arms with the complexion of rain clouds. Dhumorna, his wife, is represented sitting on the left haunch of Yama and she has the colour of a dark blue lotus.
The Taittirīya Aranyaka and the Āpastamba Śrauta state that Yama has golden-eyed and iron-hoofed horses.
