Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c7.1706

c7.1706

14) Other details concerning Yama.
(i) Yama attended Draupadī’s Svayaṁvara. (M.B. Ādi Parva, Chapter 186, Verse 6).
(ii) It was Yama who performed “Sāmitra” (killing of animals) at the yāga done by devas in the Naimiśāraṇya. (M.B. Ādi Parva, Chapter 196, Verse 1).
(iii) In the fight between Indra and Arjuna in Khāṇḍavadāha, Yama joined the side of Indra. (M.B. Ādi Parva, Chapter 226, Verse 32).
(iv) Once in a thousand years, Yama comes to Bindusarovara and performs a yāga. (M.B. Sabhā Parva, Chapter 3, Verse 15).
(v) Yama is a member of Brahmā’s assembly. (M.B. Sabhā Parva, Chapter 11, Verse 51).
(vi) When Arjuna performed tapas and received Pāśupatāstra from Śiva, Yama was pleased and presented Daṇḍāstra to Arjuna. (M.B. Vana Parva, Chapter 41, Verse 25).
(vii) Yama was one of the devas who tested and then blessed Nala who went to Damayantī’s Svayaṁvara. (See under NALA). (viii) Indra made Yama, the King of Pitṛs. (M.B. Udyoga Parva, Chapter 16, Verse 14).
(ix) Mahābhārata, Droṇa Parva, Chapter 69, Verse 26 says that when Devas milked Bhūmidevī, Yama took the form of a calf. (See under Vena).
(x) In Tripuradahana (burning of Tripura) Yama remained in Śaivabāṇa (the arrow of Śiva, (M.B. Droṇa Parva, Chapter 202, Verse 77. See also under TRIPURA).
(xi) Yama presented two warriors, Unmātha and Pramātha to god Skanda). (M.B. Śalya Parva, Chapter 45, Verse 30).
(xii) Once Yama gave advice to the sage Gautama on the subject of Dharma. (M.B. Śānti Parva, Chapter 192). (xiii) Yama once gave a boon to a Brāhmaṇa named Jāpaka. (See under JĀPAKA. M.B. Śānti Parva, Chapter 199).
(xiv) Once Mahāviṣṇu taught Yama, Śiva-Sahasranāma. Yama taught it to Nāciketa. (See under ŚIVA and NĀCIKETA. Also M.B. Anuśāsana Parva, Chapter 17).
(xv) Yama sent his special agents to bring a Brāhmaṇa named Śarmi. (See under ŚARMI. Also M.B. Anuśāsana Parva, Chapter 68).
(xvi) Yama once lectured on the efficacy of giving “tila” (gingelly seed) “jala” (water) and anna (rice) to a Brāhmaṇa. (M.B. Anuśāsana Parva, Chapter 130). (xvii) Yama once explained the secrets of Dharma. (M.B. Anuśāsana Parva, Chapter 130). (xviii) Yama used to worship Śiva on the mountain Muñjavān. (M.B. Aśvamedha Parva, Chapter 8).
(xix) Dhūmorṇā is the name of Yama’s wife. (M.B. Udyoga Parva, Chapter 117, Verse 9).
(xx) There is a story in Mahābhārata, Ādi Parva about the condition of the world in the absence of Yama. Once Yama started a prolonged yāga at Naimiśāraṇya. At that time there was no death in the world. All living beings continued to live indefinitely. The Devas all joined together and approached Yama with a request to solve the problem. Yama concluded his yāga and resumed his duties and death came to the world again. (M.B. Ādi Parva, Chapter 199).