A day in Hell

Participants

* Lord Yam, the ruler of Hell

* Chitragupta , God who works under Yam, He tracks the good & bad deeds of mortals to ensure they are punished/rewarded suitably in afterlife

* 3 Guilty souls who have just been brought hell post death

* Servants of Lord Yam

* * * * * 

Place: The court of Lord Yam

Participants: Lord Yam, Chitragupta

(All court members have assembled, Yam enters)

Everyone: 

Long live Thou, Our King, The protector of Righteousness !! 

Long Live Thou, that rideth a buffalo !!

Long Live Thou, The God of Justice, The Ruler of Death and Hell !!

Yam: (enters and sits on his throne) My greetings to the court. Funny it is to me that I am being hailed to live long, despite me being the one responsible for the death of humans everyday on earth!! Fine. Let us begin the court today. (To Chitragupta) Chitragupta, Could you please initiate the proceeding for today?

Chitragupta (gets up, bows to Yam and starts speaking): To hail you live long is no hypocrisy, because it is death that ultimately serves as the protector of righteousness on earth. But for the fear of death, which is the biggest fear of all fears, justice and morality shall not prevail. This is in fact, one reason you are called as the 'God of Justice'. (turns and addresses the court) Today's hearing is held to decide the punishments for some sins which are frequently committed in recent times.  Our ruler Yam shall proceed to sentence the wrongful for their sins. These sentences shall be used in future as a guideline to punish other similar wrongdoers as well. 

Yam: Appreciate your explanation towards hailing me to live long. There is much truth in saying that death and the fear of it have indispensable role in maintaining morality on earth. That said, could you please call out the souls to be judged today?

 * * * * * 

Place: A small room adjacent to the court of Lord Yam

Participants: 3 Guilty souls whose sentence is pending in the court of Lord Yam - Guilty 1 and Guilty 3 are quite rich looking, while Guilty 2 looks poor and uneducated. 

Guilty 1: I don't understand what big sin I should have committed to be tried in a special court here.. To my best knowledge, I haven't done anything so wrong... way too afraid now of the upcoming trial.

Guilty 2: yes sir.. Me also no understanding sir.. Am also afraid.. Don't knowing what mistake I doing sir. I having no peace after death also sir... (stares a little above for few seconds).. 'peace' only reminds me of chicken piece my wife cooking sir.. she super cooking sir.. i can't get again sir (looks sad)

Guilty 1: (little irritated) ohh. shut up man... You are talking about chicken pieces without understanding the big problem we are all into. I still wonder what punishment we may get. Is it possible that we were brought here wrongly, instead of someone else. I remember some old comedy movie where that happens and finally the humans are returned to earth as they were brought wrongly in lieu of lookalikes. 

Guilty 3: Ahh... what makes me feel most down is the fact that I am being tried with (looking at Guilty 2)such filthy humans. I had around 30+ years of experience serving in one of the top echelons of power in my country. 

Guilty 2: (angrily stares at Guilty 3 and starts uttering swear words) How dare you call me filthy you nasty ** * * ****** 

(Servants of Lord Yam enter the scene to take the guilty to the court room)

Servants: Hey Guilty humans. You shall not shout or make noise while you are here. Behave well in the court of Lord Yam. 

Guilty 3: How dare you call me guilty before the sentence is pronounced. Mind your words and address me as 'Accused'. 

Guilty 2: (giggles)Man. you in Lord Yam court... not in earth... here, you can't misusing power and escaping punishment. Behave respect. Do discipleen (discipline). They(Yam's servants) bringing you here because they knowing you doing wrong. So you only minding your words... Hahahha.. With this stupid attitude, you better not living..

Guilty 3: Stupid fellow.. we are all dead and you are blabbering that I shan't live. And you ask me to mind my words you ****  (Guilty 3 attempts to slap Guilty 2, Guilty 2 defends.. Yam's servants stop them and take all 3 guilty humans to the court room of Lord Yam)

* * * * *

Place: The court of Lord Yam

Participants: Lord Yam,  Chitragupta, the three guilty men and Court viewers

Chitragupta: Lord.. For all these three humans, their other mistakes have all been assessed and the sentences have suitably been decided. While Corona pandemic in earth has been keeping us busy these days, we need a few sentences related to sins committed during these times. We request thee to kindly pronounce sentences for these sins alone.

Lord Yam: Well..I shall now proceed with pronouncing the sentences.  ... 

Guilty 3: (angrily).. Hey stop that.. How dare you.. You never conducted a trial and you pronounce a judgement. What mistake did I do. First tell me that. You better remember how respected a person I was on earth. I had 30 + years of service... (continues shouting..)

(Lord Yam's face slowly shows signs of anger)

Guilty 2: (within self) Oh my God !! This guy is gonna spoil the party for all of us.. Need to stop this.. (to Lord Yam) Lord.. You are big man.. errr. I mean big God.. All we three no understanding what sin we committing.. So, only he speak wrongly. You please forgive and helping telling what mistake we doing on earth(prostrates before Lord Yam)

Lord Yam:  (to Guilty 2) Please get up. Appreciate your humility and respectful attitude.  (To all 3 guilty) You shall all know the sins committed by you. Chitragupta... (looks at Chitragupta and signals to let the guilty know the details of their sins)

Chitragupta: (bows to Lord Yam) Here are the details of sin committed by Guilty 3, which is now to be sentenced. This human continuously roamed the streets and all public places without mask when the entire world was suffering due to Corona pandemic. Unknowingly, he has spreaded the disease to many people, despite him staying unaffected due to his good physique and health. Not only that, he also mocked those who wore masks and encouraged them to get rid of them. Hundreds were affected by Corona due to him spreading this. Around 12 of them died hitherto, and the count may rise further as many of them have been hospitalised. His sentence for these murders is to be pronounced by you, my Lord !!

Guilty 3: What... Murder?? I am a vegan and don't even kill insects. (thinks a little).. ya.. I did have rice cooked along with chicken once... But hey..I discarded the chicken pieces and ate only the rice.. Anyway, Isn't this a sin committed unintentionally and so should be forgiven ??

Chitragupta: Oh Human.. Such lame reasons and excuses are encouraged only on earth, not here in the court of the Lord of death. You shall definitely reap what you sow. 

Guilty 3: Oh.. is that?  So, what are the options to appeal further in higher courts? Wouldn't these sentences be stayed till all hearings are complete?

Chitragupta: Man !! You don't seem to even bother of the fact that a dozen humans have died because of you. You still only think about escaping punishment. (looks above) Oh the Supreme Lord of All Worlds !!! How spoiled these humans have been by the corrupted systems of earth !!!  (turns to Guilty 3) You don't have any appeal facility here. You may be saved if the Almighty so wishes to save you. But, HE doesn't, for HE is the one that put forth these rules of justice. 

Guilty 3: So, is there no way out?

Chitragupta: (nods his head to say No)

Guilty 2: What I doing.. Telling that Lord.

Chitragupta: Please wait Sir. I need to tell about the other person now. (Turns to Guilty 1) This human is guilty of forwarding too many messages on social media, especially on Whatsapp during Corona pandemic times. He shared messages including fake 'Natural cures', unsubstantiated medications, false statistics which often exaggerated ground reality causing confusion and stress. While he did these assuming himself to be a helper, the impact these had was huge. Messages created by him and shared all across are still spreading causing confusion and would potentially do rounds for a few more months at the least, causing more harm. The biggest harm caused by these was that real news had very less impact. 

Guilty 3: (stays spellbound)

Lord Yam: Ok. Let me pronounce the verdict.

Guilty 2: Sir.. my case..... (looks very worried)

Lord Yam : I'll come to you shortly. (points to Guilty 1). His mistakes were done unknowingly. Yet their impact was huge, similar to that of the one caused by a fake doctor who prescribes wrong medicines. Hence, I sentence him to live in the 'Anthakoopam' area of Hell, where the guilty are bitten by insects who are made to stay in a dark room. The pain of insect bite in dark room would make him understand the pain of confused people who had read his messages. This punishment shall continue till the last time his message is being forwarded

Court members : (exclaim): Great !! Great !! Bows to the Lord

Lord Yam: (looks at Guilty 3) Coming to this person, his mistakes caused much lesser impact in terms of the number of people affected. But, he did all sins knowingly. He, despite being well informed and knowledged person, committed these wrong doings and also tries to escape punishment through every possible way. He shall be sentenced to stay in the 'Maha Rowrava' room where he shall be physically tortured with his flesh being tore and eaten by the devils as he has knowingly done acts that caused death of many !!

(Guilty 3 bends his head down in shame and guilt)

Guilty 2: Lord.. about me... 

Chitragupta: (looking at Guilty 2)As far as this person is concerned... 

Lord Yam: (interrupts Chitragupta) and I'll say about him. He is a good Samaritan. During Corona pandemic, he allowed two homeless people to stay in a small room owned by him. He further distributed free food to few people who were in poverty. Despite him not being so well-off, he did these which is most appreciated.

Guilty 2: (bends head down due to modesty)

Lord Yam: (as court members stare in confusion) I understand your confusion. I'll tell you the reason of why he was brought here to the hell. (continues with a smile addressing the court) Like every other human on earth, he also has committed few small sins, for which he had to be punished before he is sent to heaven. Ever since he was brought here, he was deeply aggrieved thinking about any possible discomfort /misdeed he committed that created pain/difficulty for a fellow human. This mental agony that he suffered all this time was sufficient enough a punishment to wash off his sins during his earthly life. (looks at Guilty 2) Sir. You are a great human being and a well behaved gentleman as well. You shall now be taken to heaven in the decorated palanquin that stands outside this room. 

Guilty 2: (bows down to Lord Yam with tears in his eyes)

Guilty 3: And sir, please forgive me for my wrong words to you. My sincere respect to your good ways of life. (Bows to Guilty 2 who bows back)

(Guilty 2 walks towards the palanquin after bowing down again to Lord Yam, Lord Chitragupta and the court. )

Guilty 3: (to Lord Yam) Lord.. I understand my sins and would like to do a small act as my token of repentance. I would like to be one of the carriers of the palanquin that takes the good soul (guilty 2) to heaven. Please permit me do this (bows to Lord Yam) before I am taken to Maha Raurava. This would give me some comfort after the disrespect I meted him. 

(Lord Yam rises his hand as a token of accepting his request. Guilty 3 moves towards the palanquin and carries it along with three other servants of Yam)

(Guilty 1 is taken by Yam's servants to serve his punishment)

(Curtain falls)

* * * * *