Once there was a spoiled Brahman, who always got whatever he wanted from the world. Growing up he was allowed to do whatever he wanted, have any toys he wanted, and say whatever he wanted. When he was grown, and it came time for him to find a wife, he went around his village to all eligible women. He criticized each one harshly, causing many of the women to cry. After examining every last woman, he made his decision. He chose a woman who he saw to be the loveliest and best suited for him, and they were wed the next day. He took his new bride home to live with him and his mother.
In the Brahman’s home, he was even more vile than he was in public. Not only that, but he was violent as well. Any time things did not go his way, he would lash out at his new wife, often resorting to hitting her. When he stormed off in a rage, the mother would comfort the younger woman, for she had been on the receiving end of her son’s anger before he married. The women formed a bond this way that was as strong as anything.
One day, the Brahman told his mother and wife that he would be leaving to travel for a while. “I grow tired of this place,” he told them, “and I wish to go and see what else is in the world that can entertain me. I will be back whenever I please.” After dinner that night, he packed a small bag to take with him in the morning. Before the sun had risen the next day, he started off on his journey.
With the Brahman gone, the two women felt like they could breathe again, though neither had realized she was holding her breath. When the Brahman hadn’t returned by nightfall, they held a small celebration, eating and drinking some of their finest foods. Both women slept peacefully that night, for the first time in a long time.
The next morning, when the women awoke, they saw who they thought was the Brahman outside of their house. Unknown to them, this was a ghost who shared the exact likeness of the Brahman. He entered the house to find the two women looking frightened. With a large, warm smile, he held out his arms and said, “Fear not, mother and wife. I have returned a new man. Going forward, we shall live our lives very differently.”
Over time, the women saw what the ghost-Brahman had spoken was true. He was kind to the mother and wife, doting on them with love and caring for them at all hours of the day. For a month or so, the wife and mother were very skeptic of this seemingly reformed Brahman, but after a while they came to trust in his new nature. The three were living happily.
Some years went by, and eventually the real Brahman returned home. On the day he came back, he was shocked to find another Brahman, in his exact likeness, living with his wife and mother. Outraged, the Brahman stormed into the house and demanded that the imposter Brahman leave immediately. The ghost-Brahman refused. The Brahman vowed to set things right, and set off to do just that.
The angry Brahman searched until he found a king willing to hear his case. The king listened intently, and not knowing how to solve the dispute. He told the Brahman to come back the next day. This cycle continued for a week before the Brahman decided he had had enough. Seeking a second opinion, he stumbled upon some ranchers who claimed to have their own king. The Brahman asked to see this king, and they agreed.
The rancher king heard the Brahman’s case and said, “If you truly wish you settle this issue, return here tomorrow with this imposter Brahman, and I will set things right.” And so, the Brahman left to get the ghost-Brahman.
The next day, the Brahman returned with not only the ghost-Brahman, but also with his wife and mother. The four of them stood before the rancher king. He examined each Brahman, being sure to note any small differences he could find. After many hours, he concluded everything about them was exactly the same. To this, the wife spoke up.
“Your Majesty, I disagree. The Brahman who sought you out is a cruel and horrible man. He left many years ago to travel as he wished. This other Brahman has been here since he left, and he has been kind to us.”
Seeing a way to test the Brahman, the king asked, “Brahmans, you are willing you allow your wife to speak such things in your stead?”
The ghost-Brahman looked at his wife and then to the king. “Of course, King. She only speaks the truth, how can I be upset?”
The actual Brahman’s face flushed red. “Well,” he said, full of anger, “I will not stand for it. This woman speaks blasphemies and should be punished!”
The rancher king nodded after each Brahman spoke. After a few moments, he responded. “I have lived here a long time, so I do remember you, Brahman,” he said to the actual Brahman. “I remember how terrified your wife and mother were of you.” He then turned to the ghost-Brahman and said, “I remember when you first came to the village to live as the Brahman. You have treated these women well these few years, and even further you have been a strong, kind member of this community that the first Brahman never was. Because of these things, I declare you the new Brahman, rightful husband and son.”
Hearing this, the actual Brahman became even more enraged. Sensing this, the other ranchers grabbed him and carted him away. The ghost-Brahman revealed he was a ghost, but the wife and mother did not mind. The three went home and lived there happily for the rest of their days.
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Author's Note: In the original story of The Ghost-Brahman, the Brahman was actually a poor man who left to get enough money for him, his wife, and his mother to live on. He was kind and not a bad man. The Ghost-Brahman came the day after he left on his journey. When the original Brahman came back, he was distressed that there was an impostor Brahman in his place. Seeking council with a nearby king, he told his story and was asked to come back every day for a long time because the king could not make a decision. After he left the palace crying one day, some gopis (cowboys) invited him to see their king. This king told the Brahman to return with the ghost-Brahman. The next day, the cowboy king told both Brahman that whoever could shrink down and fit inside of a tiny bottle would be the true Brahman. The actual Brahman said ti was impossible, but the ghost-Brahman complied and got in the bottle. The cowboy king put a stopper on the bottle, trapping the ghost, and the Brahman was free to go back to his mother and wife.
I chose to change the story because I think the pattern of the impostor being outed is a good one, but is has definitely been done many times. Instead, I thought it would be interesting to have the ghost-Brahman be a better man than the actual Brahman, so he was allowed to stay.
Bibliography: "
The Ghost-Brahman" from
Folk-Tales of Bengal by the Rev. Lal Behari Day, with illustrations by Warwick Goble (1912).
