Yama
God of Death & Divine Justice
The God of Death and Dharma who judges every soul after death. Son of Surya. Known as Yamadharmaraja, he is fair and impartial in his judgments.
- Sanskrit/Telugu name: యమధర్మరాజు
- Also known as: Dharmaraja, Kala, Mrityu, Yamadharma
- Vehicle (vahana): Mahisha (buffalo)
- Weapons: Yama Pasham (noose), Danda (staff)
- Symbols: Buffalo mount, Noose, Staff of justice, Book of accounts
Story
Yama Dharmaraja is both feared and respected. He is the son of Surya and the twin brother of the river Yamuna. As the lord of Naraka Loka (the underworld), he judges every atma after death based on their karma. His assistant Chitragupta maintains a detailed ledger of every person's good and bad deeds. Yama's messengers (Yamadutalu) carry souls to his court, where the final judgment is delivered. In Telugu tradition, Yama appears prominently in the story of Savitri and Satyavan, where the devoted wife Savitri follows Yama and argues so wisely that he grants her husband's life back. This story is told every Vatapurnima, celebrating the power of a wife's devotion. Another beloved Telugu story is Markandeya, the boy devotee of Shiva. When Yama came to claim the young Markandeya's life, the boy clung to the Shiva Lingam. Shiva appeared and kicked Yama away, saving his devotee and earning the name Kalahasteeswara (conqueror of death). The Srikalahasti temple near Tirupati is built at this sacred spot. Yama teaches an important lesson: death comes to everyone, and the only things that matter are your dharma and karma.
Fun fact
Yama was actually the very first mortal to die, which is how he became the lord of the dead. His twin sister is the river Yamuna, and on Bhai Dooj (Yama Dwitiya), sisters pray for their brothers' long life in his honor.