Yama

One-line: lord of death who teaches Savitri how karma, hell, and liberation work.

First appears: Book 8, in Book 8 retelling.

Who they are: Yama is the judge of the dead. Book 8 shows him overseeing hells as part of cosmic justice; Book 9 gives him a speaking role when Savitri follows him after Satyavan’s death. He is stern, but not a cartoon villain. He teaches the rules as he enforces them.

What they do that matters:

• Oversees the hells and the consequences of action.
• Meets Savitri when he takes Satyavan’s life.
• Explains karma, merit, hells, liberation, and devotion.

Other names: Dharmaraja

Family / lineage (when relevant): Not central for first-time reading.