KarmaVaani
Vedic tradition
यमYama
Dharmaraja · Kala · Antaka
The first mortal to die, now the lord of death and the judge of the departed.
- Abode
- Yamaloka, in the south
- Consort
- Dhumorna
- Vahana
- Water buffalo
- Colour
- Dark green or black
- Arms
- 2
Yama was the first mortal to die and so found the path to the other world, where he became its king. He keeps the record of every life with his scribe Chitragupta and judges each soul. In the Katha Upanishad he is a teacher, explaining the nature of the Self to the boy Nachiketa.
Mantra
ॐ यमाय नमः
Om Yamaya Namaha
Salutations to Yama: lamps are lit to him on the eve of Diwali.
How Yama is shown
A dark, crowned figure riding a buffalo, carrying a noose and a mace.
- Pasha (noose)
- He draws out the life of each being at its time.
- Danda (staff)
- Justice and the measure of deeds.
Stories
Nachiketa
Sent to Yama by his angry father, the boy Nachiketa waited three days at Yama's door without food. Offered three boons in apology, he asked last of all what happens after death. Yama tried to put him off with riches, then taught him that the Self is never born and never dies.
