Yama (Yama Dharmaraja) is the son of the sun god and is also known as Vaivasvata Yama. His sabha was built by Vishwakarma, the celestial architect. 

sabha-of-yama-dharmaraja

Yama Dharmaraja’s sabha is a hundred yojanas long and can travel anywhere in the universe. It has the perfect temperature (neither hot nor cold). Grief, pain, hunger, thirst, old age, misery, fatigue, and obstructions cannot be found in this sabha. All human and divine desires can be satisfied here. There is enough food and drink for everyone and anyone. The water is tasty and can be found in hot and cold temperatures. The trees bear delicious fruit at all times. 

Rajarishis and Brahmacharis attend Yama. Yayati, Nahusha, Puru, Mandhata, and many famous kings can be found in this sabha, including Pandu. Rishis like Agastya and Matanga as well as Kala, Mrithyu, Siddhas, and ancestors who performed severe austerities are a part of Yama’s sabha. Men who died on winter solstice and those who performed evil deeds are present in this sabha. 

Trees like palasha, shimshapa, kusa grass, kasha, etc., are found here. The sabha is filled with several kings who act as courtiers of Yama Dharmaraja. However, the place never feels crowded. Everyone in the sabha wears spotless clothes, bracelets, earrings, and flower garlands. They sing, dance, eat, drink, and have a happy time. Gandharavas and apsaras are found even in Yama’s sabha (they travel from one sabha to another). 

Sacred sounds, flowers, and fragrances fill the sabha to create a divine atmosphere. Ten million men wait upon the guests in the sabha. 

Here’s the list of kings in Yama’s sabha –

Yayati, Nahusha, Puru, Mandhata, Somaka, Nriga, Trasadasyu, Turaya, Kritavirya, Shrutashrava, Aripranuda, Susimha, Kritavega, Kriti, Nimi, Pratardana, Shibi, Matysa, Prithavaksha, Brihadratha, Aida, Marutta, Kushika, Samkashya, Samkriti, Bhava, Chaturashva, Sadashvormi, the king Kartavirya, Bharata, Suratha, Sunitha, Nala from Nishadha, Divodasa, Sumana, Ambarisha, Bhagiratha, Vyashva, Sadashva, Vadhryashva, Panchahasta, Prithushrava, Rushadgu, Vrishasena, the immensely powerful Kshupa, Rushadashva, Vasumana, Purukutsa, Dhvaji, Rathi, Arshtishena, Dilipa, Usinara, Oushinara, Pundarika, Sharyati, Sharabha, Shuchi, Anga, Arishta, Vena, Duhshanta, Sanjaya, Jaya, Bhangasvari, Sunitha, Nishadha, Tvishiratha, Karandhama, Bahlika, Sudyumna, the powerful Madhu, Kapotaroma, Trinaka, Sahadeva, Arjuna, Dasharathi Rama, Lakshmana, Pratardana, Alarka, Kakshasena, Gaya, Gourashva, Jamadagni Parasurama, Nabhaga, Sagara, Bhuridyumna, Mahashva, Prithvashva, Janaka, the king Vainya, Varishena, Puraja, Janamejaya, Brahmadatta, Trigarta, King Uparichara, Indradyumna, Bhimajanu, Gaya, Prishtha, Naya, Padma, Muchukunda, Bhuridyumna, Prasenajit, Arishtanemi, Pradyumna, Prithagashva, Ajaka, the one hundred kings from Matsya, the hundred Nipas, the hundred Hayas, the one hundred Dhritarashtras, the eighty Janamejayas, the one hundred Brahmadattas, the one hundred fighting Iris, Shantanu, Pandu, Ushadgava, Shataratha, Devaraja, Jayadratha, Vrishadarbhi, Dhaman and his ministers and thousands of Shashabindus. 

Note: The numbers mentioned indicate all the kings with the same name. Repeating the same names as ancestors was common in ancient times. 

Also, read about Indra’s Sabha, Brahma’s Sabha, Kubera’s Sabha, and Varuna’s Sabha.

The celestial courtrooms aka sabhas were radiant, powerful, magical, and glorious. Here, Narada described the beauty of an underwater sabha belonging to Varuna.

sabha-of-varuna

Varuna’s sabha is present underwater as he is the god of water/ rain. The sabha’s dimensions are the same as Yama’s sabha (hundred yojanas). It looks just as brilliant with white walls and portals. This sabha was also built by Vishwakarma, the celestial architect. He would perform intense tapasya before building every sabha to retain its sanctity.   

Located underwater, the sabha is surrounded by bejeweled trees that bloom with flowers and fruits. Blue, black, yellow, white, and red flowers carpet the pathways. Thousands of birds of all varieties can be found in the sabha’s gardens, singing melodiously. The sabha has a pleasant atmosphere and the right temperature. 

Varuna adorns the throne with his wife Varuni dressed in celestial attire and jewelry. The Adityas wait upon Varuna and so do the Nagas like Vasuki, Takshaka, Airavata, and many others. Their hoods are marked with auspicious signs and sway to the divine music. 

Kings like Bali, Naraka, Prahrada, Viprachitti, the danavas known as Kalakhanjas, Suhanu, Durmukha, Shankha, Sumana, Sumati, Ghatodara, Mahaparshva, Krathana, Pithara, Vishvarupa, Surupa, Virupa, Mahashirsa, Dashagriva, Vali, Meghavasa, Dashavara, Kaitabha, Vitatuta, Samhrada, and Indratapana are a part of Varuna’s sabha. Many daityas and danavas, dressed in rich robes, can also be found here. Varuna rules the sabha holding the dharma’s noose (his weapon). 

The oceans, rivers, lakes, fjords, ponds, tanks, springs, fish, and all aquatic creatures are cherished in this sabha. The gandharavas and apsaras often visit to sing and dance, praise Varuna, and make merry. 

Mountains with divine herbs and magical properties can be found here. The sabha is so beautiful that one cannot stop staring. 

Also, read about Indra’s Sabha, Brahma’s Sabha, Kubera’s Sabha, and Yama’s Sabha

The celestial courtrooms aka sabhas were radiant, powerful, magical, and glorious. Here, Narada, in Indraprastha, described the beauty of sabha belonging to Indra.

sabha-of-indra

After Maya built the majestic sabha in Indraprastha, many kings, rishis, and Narada Muni arrived to see the place. Upon Yudhistira’s request, Narada described the celestial sabhas. 

Indra’s sabha is radiant and has the brilliance of the sun. It was built by Indra himself with one hundred yojanas in width, one hundred and fifty yojanas in length, and five yojanas in height. The sabha floats in the air and can travel anywhere. It has full rooms with thousands of seats for various guests. The sabha is auspicious, pure, and free of fear. The rooms are adorned with celestial trees. On the throne, Indra sits with his wife Sachi. He wears a crown on his head and lohita bracelets on his upper arms. His dress is spotless. Several colorful garlands adorn his neck. Hri, Kirti, and Dyutia are also with him. 

The Maruts, siddhas, sadhyas, other gods, and householders worship Indra. Their followers can also be found in the sabha, dressed in fine clothes and jewelry. The devarishis belong to his sabha and have achieved their position through various austerities. 

The divine water, herbs, Medha, Shraddha, Sarvasvati, clouds, lightning, wind, rain, thunder, artha, dharma, kama, the eastern direction (Indra is the guardian of the East), twenty-seven types of fires, the planets, the hymns, mantras, and dakshinas can also be found in this sabha. 

Apsaras and gandharvas play music and dance all day long to entertain him and the guests. Brihaspati and Shukra also join the sabha at times. Bhrigu and the seven rishis (sapta rishis) often visit this sabha. 

This place is called Pushkaramalini.

Also, read about Varuna’s Sabha, Brahma’s Sabha, Kubera’s Sabha, and Yama’s Sabha.