Lord Yama

Lord Yama

Odisha School, 12th  Century AD, National Museum,New Delhi.

            Having committed incest with his twin sister, Yami or Yammuna, Yama was banished to the underworld. He became the God of Death.  Since he adjudges the deeds of each of us after our death, he is also called Dharamraj or the God of Justice. In Mahabharata, the famous Hindu epic, He is Yudhistir's father. He poses the most difficult questions to Yudhistir in order to test his knowledge of Dharma. 

            Yama or Yamaraj is shown as a bearded person, riding a  water buffalo, carrying a rope with a loop, in order to drag the dead to his Kingdom.  There are few stories about Lord Yama such as the story of Nachiketa, in Katho Upnishad, the story of Savitri, and the story of Markandeyaha. In all of them Lord Yama plays a pivotal role. 

            Lord Yama is worshipped on Dhantaras that is two days before Diwali, the festival of lights. It is believed that if we worship Him on the said day, He will not visit our house for the rest of the year.