Srimad Bhagavatam — Shashtha Skandha, 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
因此，至高的审判者应当唯一，而非众多。我们原以为你就是那至上法官，连诸天神也在你权辖之下。你是众生之主，能分辨人类善业与恶业，并执持刑罚。
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.