Erlik

Erlik, also called Erlik Khan, was ruler of the lower world and judge of the dead, sometimes shown as a bear. He is named in the Orkhon inscriptions. From below he sends death, plague and evil spirits to take human souls.

Altai legends say Erlik and his spirits were cast out of heaven when he claimed divinity. In another tale, recorded by Radlov, he was the first human, who tried to hide soil from the primordial water and was cast out by Kayra.