Significance of Yamaraja
Yamaraja is a significant deity in Hindu mythology, commonly recognized as the god of death who presides over the judgment and punishment of souls. He is responsible for administering justice in the afterlife, differentiating between pious and impious actions. Yamaraja punishes those who engage in sinful behaviors and are averse to spiritual teachings, often associated with severe consequences for their actions. He embodies the principles of death and justice, ensuring that the moral order is maintained in accordance with individual karma.
Synonyms: Yama, Lord of death, God of death, King of the dead, Dharmaraja, God of justice
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Hindu concept of 'Yamaraja'
Yamaraja is depicted in Hinduism as the god of death and justice, overseeing the afterlife, administering karma, and punishing souls based on their actions, embodying ultimate justice and the consequences of one's moral choices.
From: Chaitanya Bhagavata
(1) The lord of death who speaks to King Bhagiratha about the benefits of circumambulation.[1] (2) The presiding deity of death who punishes those who criticize great Vaishnavas.[2] (3) The lord of death who worshiped Krishna and Balarama and assisted in resurrecting their guru's son.[3] (4) The deity responsible for judging the pious and impious actions of souls, known for punishing materialistic fruitive actors who are not aligned with spiritual teachings.[4] (5) The deity of death in Hindu mythology, responsible for judging souls and administering punishment in the afterlife.[5]
From: Garga Samhita (English)
(1) The deity associated with death and the afterlife, who is not seen by those who plant sacred Tulasi forests.[6] (2) The powerful deity associated with death and justice, who presides over the punishment of sinners.[7] (3) The Hindu god of death, who oversees the afterlife and judgments of souls.[8] (4) The deity of death, as perceived by the wicked, linking their fear of death with Lord Krishna.[9] (5) The god of death in Hindu mythology, responsible for the regulation of life and death.[10]
From: Bhagavad-gita-mahatmya
(1) The deity responsible for the administration of karma and punishment to sinful living entities.[11] (2) The deity in Hinduism who is the god of death and is mentioned in the context of punishing those who fail to help others in danger.[12] (3) The deity of death in Hindu beliefs, who judged Pingala and Aruna after their deaths.[13]
From: Shiva Purana
(1) The deity overseeing the punishment of souls in hell, providing commands to derive justice for sins committed by the wicked.[14]
From: Devi Bhagavata Purana
(1) The Lord of the Rakshasas and the deity responsible for punishment and the moral order of actions.[15]
The concept of Yamaraja in local and regional sources
Yamaraja is depicted as both the infernal king punishing the wicked and the afterlife judge in Balinese culture, symbolizing death and the spiritual journey, reflecting significant cultural beliefs about justice and the afterlife.
From: Diaspora of Bhuta (Daiva) worshipping cult—India and Indonesia
(1) The afterlife judge depicted in Balinese culture, symbolizing concepts of death and the journey of the spirit.[16]
From: The travels of Fa-Hian (400 A.D.)
(1) The infernal king responsible for inflicting punishment on wicked men.[17]