Yama facts for kids
Yama is a very important god in some Asian religions. He is known as the god of death and justice. People believe he decides what happens to souls after they die. He is like a judge for the dead.
Yama is found in Hinduism, Buddhism, and other religions in places like China, Korea, and Japan. In Japan, he is called "Enma" or "Great King Enma."
Contents
Who is Yama?
Yama is often seen as the first person to die. Because of this, he became the ruler of the afterlife. He guides souls to their next life or to a place where they face judgment. He is not always seen as evil. Instead, he is a fair judge who makes sure people get what they deserve based on their actions in life.
Yama's Role as Judge
Yama's main job is to judge the dead. He sits on a throne in the underworld. He has a special assistant named Chitragupta. Chitragupta keeps a record of all the good and bad things a person has done. When a soul arrives, Yama looks at these records. He then decides if the soul will go to a heavenly realm, a lower realm, or be reborn on Earth.
Yama often holds a club or a noose. These items show his power over life and death. He is also often shown riding a buffalo. This animal represents his strength and his role in carrying souls away.
Yama in Different Cultures
Yama's story changes a bit depending on the culture. But his main role as a judge of the dead stays the same.
Yama in Hinduism
In Hinduism, Yama is one of the oldest gods. He is the son of the sun god Surya and his wife Saranyu. He has a twin sister named Yami. She is the goddess of the Yamuna River. Yama is also known as Dharmaraja, which means "King of Justice." This name highlights his fair and unbiased nature when judging souls.
Hindu texts describe Yama's kingdom as a place where souls go after death. His messengers, called Yamadutas, bring the souls to him. He makes sure that the balance of good and bad deeds is kept in the universe.
Yama in Buddhism
When Buddhism spread from India, the idea of Yama went with it. In Buddhism, Yama is also a judge of the dead. He is often shown in a more fearsome way to remind people about the cycle of death and rebirth. He helps people understand that their actions have consequences.
In Buddhist art, Yama is sometimes shown holding a mirror. This mirror reflects a person's past actions. He is also part of the "Wheel of Life," which shows how living beings move through different states of existence.
Yama in Japan (Enma)
In Japan, Yama is known as Enma or Enma-ō (King Enma). He is a very well-known figure in Japanese folklore and Buddhism. Just like in other cultures, Enma judges the dead. He decides if they go to heaven or hell, or if they are reborn.
Enma is often shown as a large, red-faced man with a long beard and a stern expression. He wears a judge's robe and a crown. People in Japan sometimes tell stories about Enma to teach children about being good and honest.
Images for kids
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Sculpture of the dikpala Yama.
See also
In Spanish: Iama para niños
