When we think of the Sun God Surya, the first names that come to mind are his radiant children, Yamraj, the stern god of death, and Shani Dev, the deity who tests human patience through karmic trials. Yet, hidden within this divine lineage is a gentler, purer force Yamuna, the sacred river goddess, often called the daughter of the Sun and the sister of Yama. Her story is less spoken of, but it carries profound lessons about life, death, and liberation.
Yamuna: The Daughter of Surya
According to Hindu scriptures, Yamuna was born from the brilliance of Surya and his consort Saranyu (Sanjna). While Yamraj was given the responsibility of guiding souls after death, Yamuna was blessed with the power to purify souls while alive. This balance reflects the eternal rhythm of Hindu philosophy: where Yama represents the inevitable end, Yamuna represents hope, renewal, and spiritual cleansing. In many texts, Yamuna is also addressed as Kalindi, a name derived from Mount Kalinda, from where the river is believed to have descended.
The Bond Between Yama and Yamuna
Despite their contrasting domains, the siblings shared deep affection. Legend says that Yamuna invited her brother Yama to her home on the banks of the river, requesting that he visit her every year. Yama, moved by her devotion, declared that whoever bathes in Yamuna on Bhai Dooj (the festival after Diwali) will be freed from the fear of death. This myth beautifully ties Yamuna to the celebration of Bhai Dooj, where sisters pray for their brothers’ long lives, and Yama’s blessing ensures their protection.
The Curse of Yamuna
One lesser-known story speaks of how Yamuna, despite being a goddess, faced neglect in her worship. While the Ganga was revered across India, Yamuna often felt ignored. According to certain Puranic legends, in her sorrow she cursed mortals, that those who bathed in her without devotion or respect would not gain merit, but instead invite suffering. However, being compassionate, she soon softened the curse and declared that sincere devotion, even a single drop of Yamuna water taken with faith, would wash away sins and grant freedom from the fear of Yama.
Yamuna and Krishna: The Divine Connection
The story of Yamuna finds its most enchanting form in her connection with Lord Krishna. The river flows through Mathura and Vrindavan, the heartlands of Krishna’s leelas. It is on the banks of Yamuna that Krishna performed his childhood miracles—subduing the serpent Kaliya Naag, playing his flute to enchant the Gopis, and sharing eternal love with Radha. In fact, Yamuna is considered so pure that even Krishna himself accepted her waters as sacred. Devotees believe that bathing in Yamuna is equivalent to bathing in all holy rivers of India combined.
Symbolism: Why Bathing in Yamuna Liberates from Fear of Death
Hindu philosophy sees rivers not just as natural water bodies, but as divine mothers carrying cosmic symbolism. Yamuna represents:
Purity before death – cleansing of sins while alive.
Bridge between life and afterlife – connecting Yama’s world and Krishna’s realm of divine love.
Balance of Karma and Moksha – teaching that both duty (Yama) and devotion (Yamuna) lead to liberation.
Thus, bathing in Yamuna is said to release mortals from the fear of Yama, because it signifies surrender to both life’s flow and the divine.
The Living Goddess
Though she may be called “forgotten,” Yamuna’s story reveals that she is anything but. She is the flowing reminder of purity, devotion, and liberation. For Hindus, she is not just a river but a sister, a goddess, and a bridge between mortal life and eternal freedom. Next time we hear her name, let’s remember that Yamuna is not just Krishna’s beloved river, but also the daughter of the Sun and the sister who gifted humanity freedom from the fear of death.The Forgotten Daughter of the Sun: Story of Yamuna and Her Curse