Dharam Rai – The Lord of Death

The Lord of Death, or Dharam Rai, who is also called Yamraj or Kal Purush, administers the three worlds of Pinda, Anda and Brahmanda, that is, the gross, subtle and causal regions. He does this under the orders of Sat Purush, the True Lord.

All the three worlds are destroyed at the time of dissolution. Heaven and hell, which are in the subtle region, are also liable to destruction and are under the jurisdiction of Dharam Rai. Dharam Rai was created by the Supreme Lord; he administers the three lower regions under His orders. He dispenses justice impartially.

Dharam Rai is created by the Supreme Lord. He does not come near a devotee of the Lord.

Bihagra Var M4, 555-9

Dharam Rai has instructions to mete out true and even justice.

Sri Rag M3, 38-18

In compliance with the orders of the Lord, Dharam Rai asks all living beings after their death to render an account of their good and bad deeds and he then deals with them accordingly. Hells are meant for the sinners and heavens for those who have performed meritorious deeds. When one's stay in these regions is over, one has once again to tread the eternal wheel of birth and death. He is named Dharam Rai because he dispenses justice according to law (Dharma). For this work, He is assisted by Yamas (angels of death) and for this reason, he is also known as the Lord of Yamas or Yam Raj. All the universe that is under him is destroyed in the course of time. He is, therefore, the Lord of Time or Death called (Kal Purush or Kal). The Kal Purush sends his agents or incarnations to the earth in every age in order to keep the universe going.

Three forces or gods, namely, Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh or Shiva work under him. The force that creates is called Brahma; that which sustains is called Vishnu; and that which destroys is called Mahesh or Shiva. He has through Maya created these three forces which create, sustain and destroy. They work under his orders, but cannot, however, see their father Kal.

The Great Mother, conceiving, brought forth three regents; the first creating, the second sustaining, and the last destroying. What He desires, they perform, They work under His Will. But great the wonder, though He watches over them, they behold Him not. Hail, Hail to Him alone, the Primal, Pure, Eternal, Immortal, and Immutable in all ages!

Jap Ji – Stanza 30,
edited by Kirpal Singh, 1894 – 1974

In the Chapter on Kal (the Negative Power) in the present treatise, it has been clearly stated that the True Being (Sat Purush), under whose orders Dharam Rai or Kal works, is imperishable and indestructible. He is, therefore, called Akal Purush (the Timeless Being). Above Him is Anami Purush (Nameless Being), who is beyond both Kal and Akal. He is in actuality the Supreme Lord. He is invisible, unfathomable, limitless and everlasting.

He is mentioned in the Adi Granth as Khasam (Lord), Nirala (Detached Being) and Soami (Lord).

Kal or Dharam Rai administers as he is directed to by the far higher True Being (Sat Purush) and he is not the creator of the soul. He can neither create nor destroy a soul. It is only the body that belongs to Him. He assigns a body according to individual Karmas and takes it back after the allotted span is over. He has no control over the soul, because souls are the children of the True Being (Sat Purush) and are immortal.

Thus we should adore the true Akal Purush and it is through adoration of Him that imperishable life and everlasting bliss can be obtained.

Kal does not wish that anyone should go out of his domain, because the life and gaiety of this creation is due to the souls that are in it. He accordingly misleads the souls in a variety of ways by means of the mind and the Maya.

For this reason the True Being or True Lord sends his incarnations, the Saints and the Masters, from time to time to emancipate those who are in the clutches of delusion. Without taking refuge in such Saints one is not freed from the bondage of death.

Except through a Master no one can transcend death or time. If he is involved with others, he merely wastes his time.

Shalok M3, 1414-16

Saints point out the path of emancipation by prescribing the practice of the Word or Holy Spirit (Shabd) or the Name of God. Sat Purush (True Being) is Shabd. He can be attained only by means of the Shabd, and therein lies the salvation of man.

It is impossible to escape from the cycle of birth and death through physical deeds such as repetitions, austerities, holy baths, pilgrimages and the like. All these actions are within the sphere of the Lord of Death.

But if, through the Grace of a True Master, one practises contemplation on God's Name, one clears one's account of Karmas and escapes both hell and heaven and also the wheel of transmigration. Those who by great good fortune obtain the company of Saints are served by the Lord of death.

If you keep the company of the Saints, The Lord of death will serve you.

Gauri M5, 271-18

The Lord of Death punishes sinners but does not come near the devotees of the Lord. He who is dear to the Lord is dear to all.

He who is dear to the Lord is dear to all. Others but come and go in vain.

Bihagara Var M4, 555-9

Those who are beloved of the Lord are not called to account by Dharam Rai.

Nat M4, 980-19

By adoring the Name of the Lord both the mind and its vanity are vanquished and there remains nothing to account for.

By repeating the Lord's Name, one is rid of all sins, and one's account with Dharam Rai is ended.

Prabhati M4, 1348-13

The devotees of the Lord are freed from the fear of the Lord of Death of whom everybody else is very much afraid.

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