yama aṣṭakam

Sāvitrī said: Long ago, the Sun — through austerity (tapas), having worshipped Dharma at Puṣkara — obtained Dharma as his son, the Dharmarāja. I bow to that Dharmarāja.

He who is equanimous toward all beings, who is the witness of all — hence his name is Śamana (the pacifier/equalizer). I bow to that Yama, whose very name means Śamana (peace, equanimity).

He who has made an end (anta) for all living beings in the world — according to their desires, in due time — that Kṛtānta (the one who brings the end determined by karma) I bow to.

He who bears the staff (daṇḍa) as a punishment for sinners and for their purification — I bow to that Daṇḍadhara (staff-bearer), who is the ruler of all living beings.

He who gathers and measures all beings continuously in everything — and whose [coming] is extremely difficult to prevent — I bow to that Kāla (Time/Death).

Who is an ascetic, established in Brahman, self-controlled, with conquered senses — who gives to living beings the fruits of their karma — I bow to that Yama.

He who is self-delighting (ātmārāma), all-knowing, a friend to those who have performed good deeds — who is a source of affliction to sinners — I bow to that Puṇyamitra (friend of the righteous).

He whose birth is from a portion of Brahmā — blazing with Brahmic splendor — who meditates on the supreme Brahman — I bow to that Lord (Īśa).

Having said this, Sāvitrī bowed to Yama, O sage. Then Yama spoke to her — she who was devoted to power (śakti-bhajana) — about the ripening of karma.

Whoever rises in the morning and recites this Yamaṣṭaka — has no fear from Yama, and is freed from all sins.

Even a great sinner, if he recites this daily with devotion — Yama surely makes him completely purified through the cycle of bodies (kāya-vyūha).