YAMUNA

 

YAMUNA

 

Yamuna or Yami was the daughter of the Sun God, Vivasat or Surya and the Samjna (“consciousness”). Their union produced twins: Yama, the Lord of Death and Yami, Goddess Yamuna. In the early scriptures, the Rig Veda, the Lord of Death, Yama Dev, is also portrayed as the “King of Righteousness.” Seven rishis (sages) led by Rishi Jayamuni came together at a place we now know as Saptarishi Kund. They prayed and performed intense “tapasya”, so that one day Goddess Yamuna would be pleased with them and leave her home in the heavens to be on Earth for the benefit of mankind. Their wishes were fulfilled when Goddess Yamuna appeared as a small girl in Yamunotri.

It is believed that Goddess Yamuna desired her devotees who would visit her at the source in Yamunotri, a cold glacial location, to be comfortable. Therefore, she requests her father, the Sun God, to make this location “more attractive and pleasant”. 

According to the Puranas, Goddess Yamuna then requested her twin-brother, Yama Deva, the God of Death, to grant life to her devotees who visit her, worship her, and take a dip in her waters. Blessings from Goddess Yamuna would save a worshipper from the tortures and punishment from Yama Dev. In effect, Yamuna “bargains with her brother Death for her devotee’s life”.

 

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