The name also refers to the first human to die of ancient Vedic beliefs. He is the son of Surya and twin brother of Yami, both ancestors of the entire human race. Later, he was deified and worshipped as a son of Vivasvat and Saranya. He is one of the Ashta-Dikpalas, representing the south.
He reports to Lord Shiva, chief of Trimurti(the Hindu God trinity).