Mythology and folklore are full of trickster tales that involve a clever person, animal or spirit outwitting people. These stories are more about entertainment value than morality or justice. In fact, many a time, the characters do crude or mean things but get away with it because that’s the nature of the genre. The themes may involve stereotypical characters that appear politically incorrect when read today. However, there’s no reason not to enjoy these stories with this awareness in mind.
Once Yama, the God of Death, fell in love with a mortal woman and married her.
But soon, this marriage was on the rocks. Yama and his wife just didn’t see eye to eye on most things! If they went for a walk, Yama would want to take a right turn while his wife would want to go left. If Yama was in the mood to eat spicy food his wife would crave something sweet. They argued about the big things and the little things, and neither of them knew any peace of mind.
They had a son and they argued over how he should be brought up too! The son, Yama Kumar, was bewildered by their constant squabbling. At last Yama could not take it anymore. He decided to go back to the underworld. He left behind a relieved wife and a sad son.
Many years later, when the son was old enough to make his own living Yama decided to pay him a visit. He found that the boy was bright but didn’t know what to do with his life. Yama thought about it and concluded that his son should become a doctor (even back then, parents were the same as they are now!).
He gave him the power of healing and taught him about medicinal herbs and plants. Then, Yama gave his son a tip, “When you visit a patient and see me sitting by the bed, refuse to offer treatment because the patient will die. Nothing can save them and you will only lose your reputation if you attempt to heal them.” Yama Kumar nodded. He followed his father’s advice and in no time, became a much respected physician.
One day, the princess of the kingdom took ill. Many physicians tried to cure her but failed. At last, the king sent for Yama Kumar. When Yama Kumar entered the room, he saw, to his dismay, that his father was sitting by the princess’s bed. Yama Kumar knew that if he succeeded in saving the princess, the king would appoint him the royal physician. He begged and pleaded with Yama to leave the room. But the God of Death said sadly, “Her time has come, son. Since you are pleading with me so much, I will leave her for three days. But after that her life belongs to me.”
The princess appeared to get better as soon as Yama left, but Yama Kumar knew that it was only a matter of time before she died. He racked his brains and came up with a plan. At the end of the three days, when he saw his father coming to the palace, Yama Kumar said loudly, “Oh mother, father is coming at last. How happy he will be to see you waiting for him!” As soon as Yama heard this he fled from the palace because he was so tired of arguments and was in no mood to meet his wife! The princess was all right and Yama Kumar won a famous victory against the formidable God of Death!