Yama Dev

Yama Dev, also known as Dharmaraja, the God of Death, Lord of the Ancestors, Kala Deva, and the Divine Judge, is revered in Hinduism as the presiding deity of death, karma, justice, and righteousness. He impartially evaluates the actions of every living being and determines their journey to heaven, hell, or a future birth according to their deeds. Devotees worship him as the divine guardian who reminds humanity of the importance of justice, truth, righteousness, and karma.

According to the Puranas, Yama Dev is the son of Surya Deva (the Sun God) and Goddess Sanjna. His sister is Yamuna, who is worshipped as Mother Yamuna. Yamaraja is also known as Suryaputra (Son of the Sun) and Vaivasvata Yama. He is regarded as one of the earliest human beings and is said to have attained divinity through following the path of righteousness after death.

Lord Brahma entrusted Yamaraja with an extremely important responsibility. He was granted the authority to maintain the record of all beings' actions and to administer justice after death according to their karma. From that time onward, he became renowned as Dharmaraja, the Lord of Righteousness.

Yamaloka is considered his divine realm. There, the deity Chitragupta keeps a detailed account of every being's actions. When a creature's lifespan comes to an end, the Yamadutas (messengers of Yama) bring the soul to Yamaloka, where Dharmaraja judges it according to its deeds.