Sharvara and Shyama
Sharvara (), also rendered Shabala () and Shyama () are two Hindu mythological watchdogs belonging to Yama. Sharvara is identified with the constellation Canis Major, and Shyama with Canis Minor; together they guard the gates of the underworld, the domain of Yama. Etymology The word sharvara means variegated or spotted. In older Sanskrit, शर्वर is written as कर्वर (karvara). Shyama is translated as black or dark-coloured. Mythology Sharvara and Shyama are described to be two ferocious, four-eyed dogs that guard the entrance to the palace of Yama. The dead are required to get past these dogs in order to be rendered judgement by their master. They are referred to as Mithūdṛśā, meaning that they are not both capable of sight at the same time. The dogs are first described in the Yamasukta section of the Rigveda. Named as the children of Sharama, departed souls are asked to venture beyond the two spotted four-eyed dogs in order to join their pitrs. They are also mentioned in a prayer to Yama, in which the dead are requested to be entrusted to their protection, and are extolled as the guardians of the road. The Atharvaveda describes the dogs as the messengers of Yama,