Princess Indumati’s witty story | Folktale of India

A long, long time ago, there lived a princess called Indumati. 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. 

King and queen were pleased to learn the princess's desire. They arranged for the best guru they could. Initially, Indumati learned in a jungle, not very far from her palace. King and queen were happy to fulfill 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, then you will have to come to the Himalayas.'

Indumati convinced her parents, and they left. She was only 12 years old. But adamant about learning it all. King and queen let her go to achieve her aim. When she turned 18 years old, 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. King had already arranged her marriage. Heartbroken that the King doesn’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 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 she 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 take her help. She knew reaching Prince Veer was 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 go back 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 about the magical herb she had asked Veer to eat, which made him appear like he was dead. 

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

Moral- Endeavour with full spirit to fight the obstacle.

Happy reading!

About the writer: 

Nisha B Thakur is the author of a Murder Mystery | The Unexpected Trail read at https://www.amazon.in/dp/B0BB88QHM5