Yama, Lord of Birth and Death

The demonic figure holding the wheel is Yama. He is the Ruler of the Sensual-Desire Sphere, which includes all stations within the wheel; earth, heaven and hell included. Yama has two aspects; as temptation and as terror. Here we see him in his terrible aspect, as Lord of Birth and Death. He is said to dwell with his host of followers in one quarter of the highest sensual heaven, "like a rebel with a band of brigands."