Princess Indumati’s witty story | Folktale of India

A long, long time ago, a princess called Indumati lived there. She was highly impressed with the healing power of herbs. At a very young age, she expressed her desire to learn Ayurveda. She wanted to learn Ayurveda therapies for the general wellness of her countrymen. 

The king and queen were pleased to learn of the princess's desire. They arranged for the best guru they could. Initially, Indumati learned in a jungle, not very far from her palace. The king and queen were happy to fulfil her wish and also keep their dearest daughter with them.

One day, Guruji told Indumati, 'There are many magical herbs in our country, and if you want to learn about all of them, you will have to come to the Himalayas.'

Indumati convinced her parents, and they left. She was only 12 years old, but she was adamant about learning it all. The king and queen let her go to achieve her aim. When she turned 18, the King summoned her back to the kingdom. Like a good daughter, she came back. She was happy to serve her country. With enthusiasm, she came back to her land. The king had already arranged her marriage. She was heartbroken that the King didn’t want to see her serve her people.

 Queen then explained to her, 'You serve people of your husband's country.'

Her mother successfully convinced her, and Indumati happily agreed to marry Prince Veer.

After a few months, she married Prince Veer. He was a very noble prince. The night she reached her husband's palace, a new challenge awaited her. Every night, she heard a loud hissing sound. She wandered around the castle but to no avail. After having several sleepless nights, she asked her mother-in-law.

Her mother-in-law, the reigning queen, told her about a curse. She said to her that a shape-shifting snake, Maneka, wanted to take revenge from their clan. The snake was determined to kill every prince who married and was about to ascend the throne. Now that Price Veer had married Indumati and was soon going to ascend the throne. Maneka was back to take her revenge.

Indumati was determined to save her husband. One night, she asked everyone to vacate the palace and waited for Maneka to come.

Once Maneka came, Indumati said, 'I want you to kill my husband. My father married me to him without my will. I will help you take your revenge.'

Maneka was surprised but had no choice but to accept her help. She knew reaching Prince Veer would be difficult, as she had already failed many nights.

‘I accept your help,’ said Maneka.

‘But you will have to promise me that once you have killed my husband, you will never come back here,’ said Indumati.

'Sure, I will return to my Snake World once I have taken revenge,’ said Maneka.

Indumati invited her the following night to take her revenge. Prince Veer was asleep in his bed. Maneka entered the room and bit him. Prince Veer died immediately, and she saw his breathing had gone. Maneka left peacefully.

Once Maneka was gone. Indumati and the queen entered Veer’s chamber. 

Indumati revealed the magical herb she had asked Veer to eat, making him appear dead. 

Queen rejoiced. Veer regained his consciousness after some time. They lived happily ever after.

Moral- Endeavour with full spirit to fight the obstacle.

Happy reading!

Check out Nisha B Thakur's highly appreciated novel, The Unexpected Trail.