Significance of Messengers of Yama
Messengers of Yama in Jainism and other traditions represent the agents of death responsible for escorting souls to the afterlife based on their deeds. In Jainism, they symbolize inevitable forces that claim individuals, often linked to themes of trauma and mortality. Purana elaborates on these beings as the servants of Yama, tasked with overseeing the transition of souls, judging morality, and administering punishments in the afterlife. Similarly, Ayurveda references these mythical beings as transporters of souls in accordance with Hindu beliefs.
Synonyms: Messengers of death, Agents of yama, Death's messengers, Yama's emissaries
In Dutch: Boodschappers van Yama; In Finnish: Yaman lähettiläitä
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Hindu concept of 'Messengers of Yama'
In Hinduism, Messengers of Yama are fearsome beings and servants of the god of death, tasked with transporting souls based on their deeds, reinforcing the inevitable consequences of sin and the moral order in the afterlife.
From: Padma Purana
(1) Supernatural beings who serve as agents of Yama, tasked with guiding souls to their next destination based on their deeds in life.[1] (2) Servants of Yama, the god of death, who are tasked with collecting souls of the deceased.[2] (3) Servants of Yama, the god of death, who enforce punishment on the sinful.[3] (4) These are fearsome beings associated with death who come to take Sudeva due to her sinful actions.[4] (5) Spiritual entities that represent death, emphasizing the inevitable fate of mortals who stray from devotion.[5]
From: Skanda Purana
(1) The agents of Yama, the deity associated with death and the afterlife, tasked with bringing souls to Yama.[6] (2) Spiritual entities that take those who disregard religious practices and virtues to hell, marking their suffering and rebirth.[7] (3) Eight entities responsible for guiding souls to the abode of Yama, each having characteristics that reflect their role in judging the virtuous and the sinful.[8] (4) Supernatural beings that instill fear and are responsible for taking away souls, acting in this story to bring Hemakanta before Yama due to his sins.[9] (5) Spiritual beings that signify the approach of death when certain disturbing signs can be observed by an individual.[10]
From: Mahabharata (English)
(1) Entities that guide souls to Yama's region, reinforcing the consequences of one's deeds on earth.[11] (2) The entities that oversee the transition of souls to the afterlife, often associated with judgment and punishment.[12]
From: Shiva Purana
(1) The emissaries responsible for administering punishment in hell, acting under the authority of Yama, the god of death.[13] (2) The agents of death who are feared by Cancula, representing punishment for the sinful.[14]
From: Bhagavata Purana
(1) The agents of Lord Yama, responsible for administering justice and enforcing punishments for sins, but who acknowledge the efficacy of the Lord's name.[15] (2) The agents of the god of death who are responsible for taking the souls of sinners to their destined punishments.[16]
From: Devi Bhagavata Purana
(1) The servants of Yama, the god of death, who take sinners to their respective hells.[17] (2) Powers of death that come to claim souls, depicted as challenges to the messengers of Shiva when it comes to the fate of those who hold Rudraksha.[18]
From: Agni Purana
(1) Spiritual beings that guide the souls toward their respective destinations after death.[19]
From: Gautami Mahatmya
(1) The agents of Death, Yama, who came to take Shveta but were unable to enter his abode due to his devotion to Shiva.[20]
From: Lalitopakhyana (Lalita Mahatmya)
(1) Representatives of the god of death who come to claim the souls of Dvijavarma and others.[21]
From: History of Indian Medicine (and Ayurveda)
(1) Mythical beings responsible for transporting souls to the afterlife, as per Hindu beliefs.[22]
From: Yoga-sutras (with Vyasa and Vachaspati Mishra)
(1) Symbolic representations of death or the afterlife, seen during elemental portents.[23]
Jain concept of 'Messengers of Yama'
In Jainism, Messengers of Yama symbolize inevitable agents of death, reflecting destiny's inescapability. Sagaradatta offers a metaphorical interpretation, linking women to themes of death and past trauma.
From: Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra
(1) A metaphorical view held by Sagaradatta, associating women with death and past trauma.[24] (2) Represents the inevitable agents of death and destiny that come to claim individuals, regardless of their life actions.[25]