In a new biography of the god, Yama is not the grim reaper but a compassionate guide

Yama was well settled in heaven. He also got married. Dhumorna was a good wife, hospitable to all who came to heaven.They had many children and one adopted daughter named Sunita. The name meant “one who is well guided, well behaved, wise”. Through her he had a grandson, Vena.

How did Yama find the path to heaven? How did he get there? What were his trials and tribulations along the way, if indeed there were any? Did he perform yajna, as mortals do, to reach the heaven that he would rule? We do not know. Yama did not like to talk of his achievements. He never told anyone what transpired after his death. Having traversed an unknown path and reached the abode that would be his kingdom, he made it a beautiful and welcoming place for all the souls that came to rest there before being born on earth again. He was the guide, leader and protector of the netherworld. There were three heavens, two under the rule of Surya – or Savitr, as one form of Yama’s father was called – and one under the reign of Yama.

Yama’s kingdom was the highest, lying far beyond Surya’s, in a direction between south...

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