Question: Within Sarga 20-22 of Valmiki’s Uttara Kanda, the name of Vaivasvata is intertwined with — and even in some cases used in place of — the name Yamaraja.
Please explain.
Answer by Romapada Swami:
According to SB 6.6.40 — Samjna, the wife of Vivasvan, the sun-god, gave birth to the Manu named Sraddhadeva, and the same fortunate wife also gave birth to the twins Yamaraja and the River Yamuna.
In Sanskrit, the name “Vaivasvata” means “the son of Vivasavan.”
[Vivasvatasya (of Vivasvan) + apatyam (born of) + puman (son) -> Vaivasvata]In this way, all sons of Vivasvan can be called Vaivasvata.
Therefore, Yamaraja is sometimes called “Vaivasvata Yama”.
