A story from Indian mythology
(Narrated by Grandpa. Edited by Arundhati Khanwalkar)
Once upon a time Yama, the god of death, fell in love with a mortal woman. He
disguised himself as a mortal man and won her hand. As she was mortal, he lived with her
on earth rather than taking her to his underworld kingdom, Yamapuri. But it was
not long before he discovered that the wife he had chosen was shrewish and quarrelsome.
She became even worse after she bore him a son. The son was named Yama Kumar. Yama
frequently disagreed with his mortal wife over Yama Kumar’s upbringing, but she
argued so violently with him that in the end Yama agreed to whatever she said.
Finally, Yama couldn’t bear her bad temper any more and returned to his kingdom.
From there he kept an eye on his son whom he loved very much. Unfortunately, his wife was
unable to raise the boy properly and he grew up without learning anything to make a living
for himself.
One night Yama appeared before his son and promised him the gift of healing if Yama
Kumar work very hard and learn about medicinal herbs and plants. The young man gratefully
accepted his father’s gift. After some time, the young man became a qualified doctor.
"I am proud of you, my son," Yama said, "Now any time you approach a
patient, if you see me sitting at the patient’s head, that means the patient will
die. Then you should refuse to treat that patient."
The boy followed his father’s instructions and soon became widely known for his
excellent diagnosis and treatment.
Some years later, the princess became very ill. Royal physicians came from far and near
to cure her but they were all unsuccessful. The princess grew weaker and weaker. The
king’s courtiers then told the king about Yama Kumar. The king decided to let Yama
Kumar try to cure the princess.
Yama Kumar was thrilled at the opportunity to compete with the royal physicians. But as
he approached the princess’ bed he was dismayed to see his father sitting there.
"Oh father!" Yama pleaded, "Please spare her life! She is so young and
beautiful. Must you take her life away now?" Yama loved his son very much and wanted
to let the princess live, but he was also duty bound to take her. Finally he agreed to let
her live for just three more days.
Thanking his father, Yama turned to the king and queen who could not see or hear the
conversation between father and son.
"Your majesties, your daughter is very ill"
Yama Kumar told them. "I think she may have only three days of life left. However, if
she outlives these, she will live to a ripe old age." Saying this he sat down beside
her and thought hard of a plan to save her life. Yama Kumar never left the princess’
bedside
Finally, on the third day, he saw his father approaching from a distance. Before Yama
could reach the princess, Yama Kumar slyly called out, "Oh mother! How nice of you to
come to see father!"
Upon hearing his son’s words, Yama immediately fled before he could even reach the
princess’ bedside. Yama’s sense of duty could not overcome his fear of his
shrewish wife! Yama Kumar’s trick had worked!
As soon as Yama left, the color began to return miraculously to the princess’
cheeks. After a week had passed, Yama Kumar announced to the king that his daughter was
cured.
So happy were the king and the queen that they married the young man to their daughter
and the couple lived happily to a ripe old age.
