The Ghost Groom

The Superstitions of Gautama’s Time

When Gautama, the Buddha, lived, people were steeped in superstitions and generally believed in supernatural occurrences. For example, many believed that the souls of deceased individuals inhabited their former residences. These spirits were often regarded with a mixture of fear and awe.

Samar and the Ghost

Once a soldier named Samar lived in a house that was inhabited by a ghost. He had many horses that he tended with loving care. This ghost, interestingly enough, was also fond of horses. Frequently, it would drive away the stable boy and feed the horses with fresh grass and other fodder.

One day, Samar noticed that among all his horses, a black beauty stood tall and well-groomed. In front of the majestic steed lay a generous heap of fresh grass. He called for the stable boy and exclaimed, “Hello, what is this? You’ve given this horse more grass!”

The stable boy replied, “Sir, I haven’t done anything at all. This is the work of the ghost that lives here.” Samar laughed and said, “Nonsense! I’ll feed the other horses with this grass.”

However, as he bent down to gather some grass, an unseen fist punched him on the back. Startled, Samar fell headlong onto the grass. The unexpected attack frightened him so much that he ran off and, from that day on, never bothered to feed the horses again.

The Gifts and the Rain

On Vijayadasami day, he presented gifts to all his servants, including silk shawls for the ghost, as a sign of respect. A few days before Diwali, the festival of Lights, Samar ventured into the forest for a hunt. After heavy rains soaked him and his attendants, he returned home, leaving his horses in front of the house.

Samar ordered his stable boys to leave, thinking that the ghost would take care of the horses by driving them to the stable, rubbing them down, and making them comfortable. However, the ghost did none of these things and simply stood in the stable, adorned in its finery.

Annoyed, Samar cried out, “Oh! Spirit, what are you doing there? Do you not see my horses shivering in the rain? Stable them quickly!” The ghost replied, “Let the rain stop. If I venture out into the rain, my fine clothes will be spoiled.”