Yamaduta
Yamadutas (Sanskrit: यमदूत; Thai: ยมทูต) are messengers of death according to Hinduism, and are agents of Yamaraja. Yamaduts tell people or souls that they are dead and take them to the afterlife.
Sanatan Dharma[]
Yamaduta (pronounced as 'jamaduta' with a soft "j"). Yamaduta often spelt as 'Yamdoot' or 'Jamdoot' in Sikhism, are dark-coloured messengers of death. Yamadutas clench the Sukshma Sharira (subtle body consisting of mind, intelligence and false ego) with ropes in their hands at the time of death and take it to Yamaloka (the abode of Yama). Also the Yamadutas are beings who punish the sinners in hell.
Also at the time of death, the Yamaduta remove the Sukshma Sharira (subtle body) from the physical body and they take the subtle body and the soul to Yamaloka (the abode of Yama). To reach Yamaloka (the abode of Yama) from earth, it takes one year according to the Vedic scriptures (refer to Garuda and Bhagavat Puranas), and the distance is said to be 100,000 Yojanas long. The path to Yamaloka from the earth is referred to as . It is said to be a path of various obstacles of hardships a person must cross. In one section of this path there are thorns, in another section is extreme heat. In another section is utter darkness in which a person must cross. There are various obstacles like this on this path. Also on this path lies the Vaitarani river which a person must cross on their way to Yamaloka (the abode of Yama).
See also[]
- Psychopomp
- Naraka (Hinduism)
- Ajamila a brahmana delivered to heaven by Vishnudutas because he chanted Narayana at the time of death
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