Yamaloka - The Destination of the Sinful
Śrīla Prabhupāda offers profound insights into Yamaloka, the planetary abode of Yamarāja. By studying his instructions, we can understand the exact astronomical location of this penal planet, the terrifying journey the sinful must endure, the absolute system of cosmic judgment, and the extraordinary power of the Supreme Lord who transcends the jurisdiction of death.
The Universal Location of Saṁyamanī
Vedic cosmology provides exact descriptions of the universe, including the residences of universal administrators. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that Yamaloka, specifically known as the city of Saṁyamanī, is situated in the southern direction and is a factual, physical planet within the cosmic manifestation.
- On the southern side (Sumeru Mountain) is the planet known as Samyamani, where Yamaraja resides.
- Similarly, in the south is a place known as Samyamani, possessed by Yamaraja, in the west is a place known as Nimlocani, possessed by Varuna, and in the north is a place named Vibhavari, possessed by the moon-god.
- When the sun travels from Devadhani, the residence of Indra, to Samyamani, the residence of Yamaraja, it travels 23,775,000 yojanas (190,200,000 miles) in fifteen ghatikas (six hours).
- Yama is situated in a planet near this earthly planet, and after death those who are very sinful are taken there, and Yama arranges different kinds of punishments for them.
The Frightening Journey After Death
For those who waste their human life in sense gratification, the transition after death is far from peaceful. Śrīla Prabhupāda describes how the Yamadūtas forcibly arrest the sinful and drag them toward Yamaloka, subjecting them to severe psychological and physical torment along the way.
- Yamaraja is deputed by the Lord to a particular planet, some hundreds of thousands of miles away from the planet of earth, to take away the corrupt souls after death and convict them in accordance with their respective sinful activities.
- At the time of death the Yamadutas become the custodians of those persons who have strongly gratified their senses. They take charge of the dying man and take him to the planet where Yamaraja resides.
- While passing from this planet to the planet of Yamaraja, the culprit arrested by Yamaraja's constables meets many dogs, which bark and bite just to remind him of his criminal activities of sense gratification.
- It is said that there is an everlasting belt of water called the River Vaitarani at the entrance of the plutonic planet of Yamaraja, who punishes sinners in different manners.
The Court of Judgment and Punishment
Upon arriving at Yamaloka, the illusions of material life are shattered as Yamarāja evaluates each soul's karma. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that before entering a lower species of life, the sinful are forced to practice their degraded, animalistic habits in the hellish conditions of Yamaloka.
- There are different planets where Yamaraja is there, how a dead man or the soul is taken there, the path - everything is in detail there. If you say it is mythology... Why you should say mythology? You have not seen the whole universe.
- He (Yamaraja) has got a different planet, where the criminals are taken away after death, and he gives the judgment, what kind of body he will have. And not like the theosophists' thinking, "Now I have got human body. It is permanent settlement." No.
- If a man is to be punished to remain in hell and eat stool and urine, then first of all he practices habits on the planet of Yamaraja, and then he is given a particular type of body, that of a hog, so that he can eat stool & think that he enjoys life.
- On the planet of Yamaraja, the sinful man is given the chance to practice living in the hellish conditions which he will have to endure in the next life, and then he is given a chance to take birth on another planet to continue his hellish life.
Extraordinary Visits to Yamaloka
Although Yamaloka is an impenetrable fortress of punishment for ordinary living entities, it is fully accessible to the Supreme Lord and His empowered devotees. Śrīla Prabhupāda highlights instances where Lord Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna used mystic yoga power to enter Yamaloka, demonstrating their complete supremacy over death.
- It seems that Arjuna had mastered the mystic yoga power by which yogis can travel to any planet they desire. He first of all went to the planet known as Yamaloka, where the superintendent of death, Yamaraja, lives.
- There (on Yamaloka) he searched for the brahmana's baby, but was unable to find him. He then immediately went to the planet where the King of heaven, Indra, lives.
- Lord Krsna ventured to the planet of Yamaloka and found the dead son of His teacher and brought him back to his father as a reward for the instructions received.
- Krsna rewarded His teacher, Sandipani Muni by bringing back his dead son from the region of Yamaloka.
Conclusion
Śrīla Prabhupāda paints a sobering yet mathematically precise picture of Yamaloka, confirming it as a factual destination within the Vedic universe where the inescapable laws of karma are administered. For the materialistic soul, it represents the ultimate reality check, marked by a terrifying journey and the forceful cultivation of hellish habits under the strict jurisdiction of Yamarāja. Yet, Śrīla Prabhupāda also reveals the transcendental nature of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and His pure devotees. Personalities like Lord Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna are not bound by the penal codes of the universe; they traverse Yamaloka as supreme masters, proving that those who are fully Kṛṣṇa conscious have absolutely nothing to fear from the constables of death or the hellish planetary systems.
Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani
Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Yamaloka. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.