Telugu original: Mangari Rajender ‘Zimbo’
Translated into English by Rajeshwar Mittapalli

In ancient times, there was a king named Bukka Rayalu of the Magadha kingdom. He was always attacking other kingdoms in his hunger for power. Because of this, he had no time to attend to the problems of his people.

With that aim in mind, the king set up a three-tier judiciary. He also amended the constitution for this purpose. He gave constitutional status to two of the three courts. Not just that, he wrote sufficient safeguards into the constitution to make sure that the judiciary remained independent. Even so, the king made their appointments himself.

He appointed ten ministers to supervise the administration of the kingdom. He also built up a strong military system to protect it. He appointed ten generals as well. The administration of the kingdom ran smoothly because of all of them. Wherever the ministers went, there was an escort chariot in front of their own chariot. The generals also had an escort. Wherever they went, the pomposity was evident. There was no need to mention the king. There were many escort chariots in front of him and behind him.

Watching all this, the judges of the constitutional courts wondered why the king did not grant them such privileges. Only the chief justice had an escort. The other judges felt uneasy because they did not have an escort chariot. When ministers and generals came to meet them, the judges felt even more uncomfortable seeing their escort chariots.

Judge Aditya felt both embarrassed and dissatisfied whenever he saw them. At last, in a public interest case, he issued an order that escort chariot benefits be granted to all judges with constitutional status. He also stated clearly in his order that this privilege should continue even after retirement.

The Prime Minister drew the king’s attention to the orders, but the king did not object. In line with this, the Prime Minister issued a farman in the king’s name. The orders took effect at once. All the judges were pleased with what Aditya had ordered. Even the retired judges felt pleased.

This happiness did not last long for Aditya. The doctors told him that his health was failing and that he might not live much longer. More than the pain of dying, he worried about whether he would have an escort chariot to heaven after his death. To settle this doubt, he summoned the Prime Minister and asked him about it.

The Prime Minister explained that there was a special escort for their king. There was a chariot that would carry the dead person, along with his soul, to the gates of heaven and then return. Aditya thought how fortunate the king was to have such a grand chariot.

When he heard this, Aditya felt both sorrow and delight. Despite his illness, his face brightened.

The next day, another public interest case came before Aditya. In that case, Aditya issued an order that deceased judges should also have the privilege of an escort chariot to the gates of heaven.

The king had great affection for Aditya. Aditya had never issued any orders that would inconvenience the king. The king was very sad to learn that such a good judge was in poor health. He ordered the Prime Minister to put Aditya’s orders into effect at once. The Prime Minister immediately had the escort chariot prepared, having a fair idea of when it might be needed. Since he did not know the exact time, the Prime Minister arranged for the horses to be ready twenty-four hours a day. He also appointed two or three servants to keep watch on Aditya’s health. They were to inform the Prime Minister at once if there were any changes.

After a month or two, Aditya’s health collapsed completely, and he was unable to go to court. Knowing that he might die at any moment, the Prime Minister had the special chariot parked in front of Aditya’s house. Two days after these arrangements had been made, Aditya died.

Two Yama bhatas came to his house and noticed the special chariot in front of it. They carried out their duty. They took Aditya’s life with the Yamapasha they had brought with them. The two of them bound his soul and ordered the escort chariot to go ahead. They placed Aditya on a he-buffalo and set off.

As soon as the escort chariot rose into the air like a modern aeroplane, all the judges, relatives and friends there thought that Aditya was on his way to heaven. While the escort chariot went in front, the Yama bhatas followed it, mounted on their he-buffaloes. First went the escort chariot, then a Yama bhata, then the judge’s he-buffalo, then another Yama bhata. Then they moved towards the sky. The people standing there could see nothing except the escort chariot.

The escort chariot sped upwards, and after a few hours it halted in front of the gate of heaven. The chariot vanished at once after stopping.

Chitragupta, who was standing at the gate of heaven, issued an order that Aditya should be taken not to heaven but to hell.

Without any escort chariot, Yama’s bhatas began to carry the judge’s soul on his he-buffalo vehicle from heaven to hell.

“Why am I being taken to hell?” Aditya asked Chitragupta at last, mustering his courage.

“Before the king’s orders reached them, the lower court judges had to struggle to arrange an escort chariot for you. They had to needlessly butter up the security officers. For bothering them so much, you have punishments to undergo. Apart from these, I shall read out the list of your sins in front of Yamadharmaraja,” Chitragupta said.

Helpless, Aditya went on towards hell in his vehicle without another word, flanked by two of Yama’s bhatas.

More than the pain of going to hell, or the punishments that awaited him there, Aditya was troubled by the pain of not having an escort chariot to hell.

“Escort Chariot” (titled “Escort Ratham” in Telugu) by Mangari Rajender ‘Zimbo’ was first published in Disha Digital Daily, Sunday 20 September 2026. Accessible at: https://epaper.dishadaily.com/c/81049636 
Translated into English by Rajeshwar Mittapalli.

About Mangari Rajender 'Zimbo'

Mangari Rajender ‘Zimbo’ is an eminent judicial officer, jurist, legal educator, and writer with over forty years of service. Starting as an advocate in 1982, he entered the Judicial Service in 1989 and served across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana as Senior Civil Judge, Additional District & Sessions Judge, and Judge, Family Court, known for fair and humane judgments. He also contributed to legal education as Faculty at the AP Police Academy, Director of the AP Judicial Academy, and Member of the Telangana State Public Service Commission. A pioneer in delivering judgments in Telugu, he authored over fifty law books, six poetry anthologies, and six short story collections, including Hazar Ho, Okka Kesu Chaalu, Maa Vemulawada Kathalu, and Nenu... Naa Nalla Kotu. He last served as Director, Telangana State Judicial Academy, until August 2024.