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Yama...
Yama
The Glorious Lord of the Other World by: Kusum Pradeep MerhThe image of Yama, the god of death in Hindu mythology, has come to have many variants. Dr. Merhs study tries to capture these against their essential literary settings to explore all possible traits of Yamas personality.
₹495.00
ISBN: 9788124600665
Year Of Publication: 2005
Edition: 1st
Pages : xvi, 302+[15]
Bibliographic Details : Abbreviations; Bibliography; Glossary; Bibliography; Index; 15 B/w photographs
Language : English
Binding : Hardcover
Publisher: D.K. Printworld Pvt. Ltd.
Size: 23 cm.
Weight: 600
In the Hindu pantheon, Yama holds a unique place. A counterpart, in the indigenous tradition, of Avestan Yima, Egyptian Osiris or Greek Pluto, he inspires terror in the heart of an average mortal : not only owing to his overlordship of the abode of the dead, but also for his identification with death itself. Yamas image in Hindu mythology, however, has come to have full many variants which Dr. Merhs study tries to capture against their essential literary settings. Based on the prodigious mass of Indias old-world scriptural literature the Vedas, Samhitas, Brahmanas, Aranyakas and Upanishads, besides the puranic texts, the book meticulously explores all possible traits of Yamas personality, highlighting how the mythical view of this glorious, other-world god passes through a striking change over the millennia between the Rigveda and the later Puranas. Unfolding the deitys Vedic and Puranic descriptions respectively in part 1 and part 2 of the book, the author focusses specially on Yama, the creator, preacher, the philosopher, the law-giver, the punisher and above all, on his role as an eschatologist. Invaluable to the scholars of Indology, Hindu mythology and comparative religion.
Preface
Abbreviations
List of Plates
PART I
Yama in the Vedas
1. Conspects of the Vedic Literature
Date of the Vedas
Riv-Samhita
Samaveda
Yajurveda
Atharvaveda
Brahmanas
Aranyaka
Upanishads
Vedanga
Vedic Gods
Prayers to the Gods
Gods at Sacrifice
Abstract Deities
Minor Deities
Fathers
Characteristics of the Vedic Gods
Number of Gods
Classification of the Gods
Varna-Based Classification
2. Yamas Family and Associates
Etymology
Yamas Abode
Parentage
Yamas Father
Yamas Mother
Brihaddevata
Yamas Messengers
Functions of the Dogs
Two Paths
3. Yama and Other Gods
Yama and Varuna
Yama and Agni
Yama and Havyavahana
Yama and Soma
Yama and Nirriti
Direction of Nirriti
Yama and Nirriti
4. Yamas Personality and His Functions
Yamas Sovereignty
Lord of the Earth
Strife for Supremacy
Lord of the South Direction
Yamas Connection with Sacrifice
Yama the Judge
Yamas Benevolence
Yama: The Creator
5. Yama: The Preacher and Eschatology
Eschatology
PART II
Yama in the Puranas
6. Parentage, Adobe, Companions and Messengers
Date of the Puranas
Characteristics of Puranas
Number of Puranas
Classification
Yamas Parentage
Discussion
Yamas Family
Yamas Kingdom
Yamas Sabha (The Court of Yama)
Yamas Messengers and Assistants
7. Personality and Functions of Yama
Appearance of Yama
Yama as a Judge
Yama as a Warrior
Yama and Dharma
Yama and Other Gods
Epithets of Yama
8. Eschatology, Metapsychosis and Worship of the Manes
Path of the Pious
Fate of the Pious
Onward Journey of the Sinner
Fate of the Sinner
Rebirth
Hells
Atonement
Location of the Hells
Number of Hells
Worship of the Manes
Classification of Fathers
Ancestor Worship
Classification of Shraddhas
9. Yama: The Preacher and Law-Giver
Yama: The Preacher
Yama-Gita
Discussion
Yama: The Law-giver
Yama-Smriti
10. Epilogue
Father of Humanity
Yama and Godhood
Identity of Yama
Upholder of Morality
Yamas Region
Yama the Judge
Yama the Punisher
Yamas Counterparts in Other Mythologies
Dogs
Hades or Pluto
Yama-Nakshatrani
Bibliography
Glossary
Index
Plates
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