tion like that of Cronus and his counterparts in the theologies of the Western Aryans. One soon lights on Yama as showing a certain similarity to the character we are in quest of. His name, according to Vedic scholars, means 'a twin;'[1] he is represented as the first man, and his sister and wife[2] Yamî as the first woman. This double relationship reminds one of a reproach made by Loki to the Norse Niörᵭr.[3] Now Yama as the first man was the first of the dead,[4] so he functions as their lord and king; but he is not satisfied with the number of the subjects he has. He is accordingly described actively engaged in adding to their number; so he is not only king of the dead, but also death.[5] He is sometimes represented as personally fetching the dead or making himself the ψυχοπομπός.[6] He had, however, two terrible hounds, described as guardians of the road to him,[7] and sometimes as his messengers wandering forth among men in quest of those about to die.[8] The way to Yama's home was long, and a canoe to cross a river is mentioned.[9] He is said in the Rig-Veda to have crossed the rapid waters, to have shown the way to many, and to have first known the path taken by the fathers in crossing subsequently.[10] The protecting aid also of a
- ↑ B. & Roth's Dict. s. v. Yama.
- ↑ Bergaigne's Religion Védique, i. 90 (Rig-Veda, x. 10, 3).
- ↑ Corpus Poet. Bor. i. 106.
- ↑ Zimmer's Altindisches Leben (Berlin, 1879), p. 421.
- ↑ Bergaigne, i. 85, 90-2; Zimmer's Altindisches Leben, p. 422 (R. Ved. ix. 113, 8, x. 14, 1, x. 165, 4).
- ↑ Bergaigne, ibid.
- ↑ Ib. i. 93 (R. Ved. x. 14, 10-12).
- ↑ Zimmer, p. 422 (R. Ved. ibid.).
- ↑ Ib. p. 409 (R. Ved. x. 63, 10).
- ↑ Max Müller's Lectures8, ij. 563 (R. Ved. x. 14, 1 & 2).
