Shloka 7
Yamarāja Instructs the Yamadūtas: Supreme Authority, Mahājanas, and the Glory of the Holy Name
अतस्त्वमेको भूतानां सेश्वराणामधीश्वर: । शास्ता दण्डधरो नृणां शुभाशुभविवेचन: ॥ ७ ॥
atas tvam eko bhūtānāṁ seśvarāṇām adhīśvaraḥ śāstā daṇḍa-dharo nṝṇāṁ śubhāśubha-vivecanaḥ
ゆえに至高の裁き手は一人であるべきで、多数ではありません。私たちは、あなたこそその至上の裁判官であり、デーヴァたちにさえ権限を及ぼす方だと理解していました。あなたは一切衆生の主であり、人々の善業と悪業を見分けて罰を執られるお方です。
FAQs
This verse states that Yamarāja is the supreme authority over living beings in matters of justice, carrying the rod of punishment and discerning auspicious and inauspicious actions.
After the Yamadūtas were checked by the Viṣṇudūtas in Ajāmila’s case, Yamarāja clarifies his rightful jurisdiction as the judge of karma and instructs his messengers about proper understanding of dharma.
Practice conscious moral discernment—choose actions aligned with dharma, avoid harmful habits, and remember that accountability for one’s deeds is a spiritual principle, not merely a social rule.