Dutas
Dutas are messengers, who are divided into three classes.

Share this Article:

Dutas are messengers. They are also known as Gananatas. Dutas are divided into three classes called, Shiva dutas, Vishnu dutas and Yama dutas.

The Shiva dutas are represented as red, short, and thick like the Bhuta. Their hair-locks remain twisted together, rest on their heads like a cap and two great lion`s teeth come out from their mouths. The Shiva dutas have four hands in which they hold a snake, a cord, a trident and a wine-jug. The body of the Shiva dutas is adorned with various ornaments. It is said that Iswara obtains the souls of his devotees at their death to his seat of bliss called Kailasa with the help of these Shiva Dutas. The souls are carried by Pushpaka vimana, a self-moving chariot.

The Vishnu dutas have their hair dressed like the Shiva dutas. They also have a lion`s teeth like the Shiva dutas but otherwise they resemble Lord Vishnu. They look like Vishnu because of their blue body colour and they wear the Tirunama on their forehead, arms, and breasts like Vishnu. Like Vishnu, the Vishnu dutas also hold a Shankha, a Chakra, a battle-axe and a club in their four hands, respectively. Through these dutas, Vishnu fetches the souls of his faithful devotees into his abode of bliss called Vaikuntha.

Yama Dutas, MessengerThe Yama dutas or the messengers of Yama, the king of death and hell are painted quite black like demons with horrible faces and great teeth. The Yama dutas carry a trident, a club and many ropes in their four hands and they carry daggers in their girdles. The Yama dutas carry the souls of the wicked into Naraka or hell. But, they are not allowed to touch anybody before his or her fixed lifetime is elapsed. These dutas also cannot touch the pious souls.

But, when a person dies, who is neither virtuous nor wicked, then the messengers of Yama and those of Shiva or Vishnu come into conflict with each other, each party claiming the indifferent souls.


Share this Article:

Related Articles

More Articles in Indian Puranas


Concept of Naraka in Vishnu Purana
Concept of Naraka has been discussed in the Vishnu Purana in an elaborate manner. It has been said that a person reaches hell if he commits an evil deed and the hell into which he reaches is determined by his actions.
Characters of Markandeya Purana
Markandeya Purana will give an idea about the mythological characters like Markandeya, Demon Mahisha, Dama, King Khaninetra and Khanitra.
Concept of Varna in Narada Purana
Concept of Varna in Narada Purana describes four basic varnas which include Brahmana, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Shudra. Varna has been classified as per deeds performed by them.
Characters of Padma Purana
Some of the Characters of Padma Purana are Vishnu, Rama, Sita and Shiva.
Characters of Brahma Purana
Brahma Purana will give an idea about the mythological characters like Surya, Vishnu, Shiva, Rama and Parvati.
Characters of Shiva Purana
Shiva Purana will give an idea about the mythological characters like Shiva, Parvati, Vishnu, Brahma and Krishna.
Adhyayas in Agni Purana
Adhyayas in Agni Purana are all encompassing. The chapters have dealt with a variety of subjects related to human lives. A large number of chapters have been dedicated to religious aspects of human life.
Ramayana in Agni Purana
Ramayana in Agni Purana has been described by Lord Agni in a vivid manner.
Puranic Deities of India
Puranic Deities in India are worshipped by the Hindus, they are of immense supremacy and are considered to be almighty.
Indian Puranic Tribes
The existence of Indian Puranic tribes is often mixed with mythology and fiction that depict them as superhuman or sub.
Puranic Texts
Puranic Texts are vital according to Hindu, Jain or Buddhist religion; they describe the history of the Universe.
Puranic Shaivism
Puranic Shaivism established during the Gupta Dynasty. This puranic religion developed and expanded, and was accompanied by the development of Brahmanical forms of worship. The stories of the Puranas spread rapidly through the singers and narrators.
Puranic Sources of ancient Indian history
In defining the ancient Indian history Puranic sources are indeed important.