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Yamraj Number 5003
What happens when a clone of Yamraj, the Lord of Death, gets emotional and upsets the power structure in Devlok, the realm of Gods?
Yamraj Number 5003 is the story of one of the thousands of cloned Yamrajs in Mrityuloka. The Yamrajs are supposed to carry out their duties like robots, but by some fluke one Yamraj—code-named #5003—has a ‘manufacturing defect’ by which he can think and feel, making him ‘different’. He begins to question the status quo, shaking the very foundation of the power structure in Devlok, making the divine trinity—Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwar—jittery. What happens when they decide to take action against the erring Yamraj? Woven with humour, this multilayered novel will move the readers as well as entertain them. Originally published in Odia and translated into Assamese, this hugely popular novel is being published in English for the first time.
Yamraj Number 5003 is the story of one of the thousands of cloned Yamrajs in Mrityuloka. The Yamrajs are supposed to carry out their duties like robots, but by some fluke one Yamraj—code-named #5003—has a ‘manufacturing defect’ by which he can think and feel, making him ‘different’. He begins to question the status quo, shaking the very foundation of the power structure in Devlok, making the divine trinity—Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwar—jittery. What happens when they decide to take action against the erring Yamraj? Woven with humour, this multilayered novel will move the readers as well as entertain them. Originally published in Odia and translated into Assamese, this hugely popular novel is being published in English for the first time.
127 pages, Paperback
Published February 1, 2018
About the author
Mrinal Chatterjee
4 books1 followerMrinal Chatterjee (born 10 February 1961)is an Indian academic and author.
He has authored five academic books on media studies in Odia, including History of Journalism in Odisha and Glossary of Terms for Media Persons.
He has authored ten novels and seven short story collections in Odia, including Jagate Thiba Jate Dina published (2010), Kandhei (2013), Eka Sundar Chandini Ratire (2016), Yamraj Chutire (2015), Yamraj Number 5003 (2016), which is translated into Assamese, and other languages.
He has authored five academic books on media studies in Odia, including History of Journalism in Odisha and Glossary of Terms for Media Persons.
He has authored ten novels and seven short story collections in Odia, including Jagate Thiba Jate Dina published (2010), Kandhei (2013), Eka Sundar Chandini Ratire (2016), Yamraj Chutire (2015), Yamraj Number 5003 (2016), which is translated into Assamese, and other languages.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 8 reviews
April 5, 2018
Overall Verdict:- Simple, humorous and worth a read
A well built, but bored Yamraj in its cover and a colophon saying that he gets emotional which causes a cosmic chaos so much that even Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwar feel jittery; my curiosity was piqued by this thin read which already is a translated version of a Odia best seller.
“Yamraj Number 5003” is a simple plot story where Yamraj 5003 (a clone to original Yamraj) spares one life and it causes a modern media like scandal uproar amongst the Gods.
The book is written in mostly third person narrative but there are times a second person narrative is used as well. It felt like a modern day remake of the movie “Lok Parlok” which I had watched many years ago which dealt with a similar situation.
The author has given the Hindu Gods a human touch. The Gods here behave like office employees. Narada plays his role well as a nosy journalist. Be it the human characters like Sumati and Subrata or be it the holy Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwar, no role is overused. Mrinal Chaterjee has given apt justice to every character.
There are times especially in the first half where the story telling becomes too much and the plot is paused too often. But overall this book is enjoyable, and considering it was written around 20 years ago, no wonder it was a best seller.
For Mrinal Chatterjee’s humorous short read my rating for “Yamraj..” would be 3/5.
A well built, but bored Yamraj in its cover and a colophon saying that he gets emotional which causes a cosmic chaos so much that even Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwar feel jittery; my curiosity was piqued by this thin read which already is a translated version of a Odia best seller.
“Yamraj Number 5003” is a simple plot story where Yamraj 5003 (a clone to original Yamraj) spares one life and it causes a modern media like scandal uproar amongst the Gods.
The book is written in mostly third person narrative but there are times a second person narrative is used as well. It felt like a modern day remake of the movie “Lok Parlok” which I had watched many years ago which dealt with a similar situation.
The author has given the Hindu Gods a human touch. The Gods here behave like office employees. Narada plays his role well as a nosy journalist. Be it the human characters like Sumati and Subrata or be it the holy Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwar, no role is overused. Mrinal Chaterjee has given apt justice to every character.
There are times especially in the first half where the story telling becomes too much and the plot is paused too often. But overall this book is enjoyable, and considering it was written around 20 years ago, no wonder it was a best seller.
For Mrinal Chatterjee’s humorous short read my rating for “Yamraj..” would be 3/5.
February 25, 2018
Never thought of it.As the subject so is the narrative.Enticing heart trobbing
What to say what not to
It's rare that you get through a novel in a go
I celebrated reading or say this is just wow
Highly recommended read
What to say what not to
It's rare that you get through a novel in a go
I celebrated reading or say this is just wow
Highly recommended read
June 4, 2018
"What happens when a clone of Yamraj, the Lord of Death, gets emotional and upsets the power structure in Devloka, the realm of Gods?”
You know what a Yamraj is? If yes, then skip this paragraph, or else:
Yamraj, Lord of Mrityuloka, moves on his buffalo with a thick rope in one hand & a mace in the other and take away the souls of the dead.
Let me be honest about this. I’m an atheist and I’m literally not into any of these things. It took me almost 10 days to complete this book.
Seriously, Mrinal Chatterjee has chosen a very unusual topic to write a book on.
Mrinal Chatterjee is a media educator, author and trainer from Odisha, India and works as a professor and center head in the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Dhenkanal. He is the author of the book History of Journalism in Odisha, which is the first major publication on history of journalism in Odisha.
So far his 10 Novels has been published and 7 Short-story collections.
So, the book title “Yamraj 5003” actually does makes sense while reading the book. This story clarifies many mythological stuff and questions many others. I’m not saying it is something of a revolutionary mythological book which will change people’s perspective but it’s a simple short read (I know I know, I took 10 days) that is written from Yamraj’s perspective.
Let me start with this. How many Yamraj do you think exists? Well, before reading this book, I thought there must be only one but just think of it. In every 10 seconds, 20 people die. Is it even possible that a single Yamraj can take care of all of these souls? Therefore, in heaven, clones of these Yamrajs are created and then all of them is assigned a particular number. So here “5003”, What’s so special about this Yamraj? Well, by some mistake some cells of a poet fell into his brain and that’s where the whole center of the story lies. What happens next when he goes to his job? Nothing or a hullabaloo?
Just try to imagine the stuff while reading even if you’re an atheist like me and doesn’t believe in God. Just imagine some fiction story and you’ll eventually like it. I was struggling hard while reading the book but eventually, I realized that it wasn’t that bad. Though that doesn’t mean that it is that good either. It’s an ok read and if you’re a beginner in reading or just want a light read, then buy this book and read it.
Also, I don’t know if I should write it or not but I hated Narad in the whole book. Because all he does in the whole book is maligning others.
I felt like everyone on Devloka is grumpy. Most of the time they are angry with something or someone and please don’t take this book seriously (I mean don’t read it like you’re reading a Holy book). Just read it like you’re reading a fiction book with fictional characters!
You know what a Yamraj is? If yes, then skip this paragraph, or else:
Yamraj, Lord of Mrityuloka, moves on his buffalo with a thick rope in one hand & a mace in the other and take away the souls of the dead.
Let me be honest about this. I’m an atheist and I’m literally not into any of these things. It took me almost 10 days to complete this book.
Seriously, Mrinal Chatterjee has chosen a very unusual topic to write a book on.
Mrinal Chatterjee is a media educator, author and trainer from Odisha, India and works as a professor and center head in the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Dhenkanal. He is the author of the book History of Journalism in Odisha, which is the first major publication on history of journalism in Odisha.
So far his 10 Novels has been published and 7 Short-story collections.
So, the book title “Yamraj 5003” actually does makes sense while reading the book. This story clarifies many mythological stuff and questions many others. I’m not saying it is something of a revolutionary mythological book which will change people’s perspective but it’s a simple short read (I know I know, I took 10 days) that is written from Yamraj’s perspective.
Let me start with this. How many Yamraj do you think exists? Well, before reading this book, I thought there must be only one but just think of it. In every 10 seconds, 20 people die. Is it even possible that a single Yamraj can take care of all of these souls? Therefore, in heaven, clones of these Yamrajs are created and then all of them is assigned a particular number. So here “5003”, What’s so special about this Yamraj? Well, by some mistake some cells of a poet fell into his brain and that’s where the whole center of the story lies. What happens next when he goes to his job? Nothing or a hullabaloo?
Just try to imagine the stuff while reading even if you’re an atheist like me and doesn’t believe in God. Just imagine some fiction story and you’ll eventually like it. I was struggling hard while reading the book but eventually, I realized that it wasn’t that bad. Though that doesn’t mean that it is that good either. It’s an ok read and if you’re a beginner in reading or just want a light read, then buy this book and read it.
Also, I don’t know if I should write it or not but I hated Narad in the whole book. Because all he does in the whole book is maligning others.
I felt like everyone on Devloka is grumpy. Most of the time they are angry with something or someone and please don’t take this book seriously (I mean don’t read it like you’re reading a Holy book). Just read it like you’re reading a fiction book with fictional characters!
August 10, 2018
The story is written in a very nice way with lots of humor and fun stuff to tell which makes it so much interesting to read. The way in which the very Powerful and tough god of death is shown having feeling is really funny.
I used to watch such cartoons and this story even gave me mood of nostalgia as i was reminded of my childhood days.
Overall its an awesome work and you'll definitely like reading it. This book has some meanings along with humor. It tells us that how our smallest mistake can create a big problem and how the hardest and toughest person can even have feelings.
I used to watch such cartoons and this story even gave me mood of nostalgia as i was reminded of my childhood days.
Overall its an awesome work and you'll definitely like reading it. This book has some meanings along with humor. It tells us that how our smallest mistake can create a big problem and how the hardest and toughest person can even have feelings.
March 15, 2026
Yamraj has clones and this tale is about clone #5003 who is emotional/ sentimental due to a manufacturing glitch (courtesy of a meddling Muni) when he was undergoing the cloning process.
There were some oddities in the language but I put that down to things getting lost in the translation from Odia to English.
I liked the arguments put forward by Yamraj 5003, and also those of the activist, at the end of the book. These are thoughts that I have considered before as well.
This was an amusing, simple tale that is good for a timepass
There were some oddities in the language but I put that down to things getting lost in the translation from Odia to English.
I liked the arguments put forward by Yamraj 5003, and also those of the activist, at the end of the book. These are thoughts that I have considered before as well.
This was an amusing, simple tale that is good for a timepass
February 27, 2018
A multi-layered novella which under the veil of a ridiculous mythological plot, is quite a refreshing commentary on society at large and its various habits. It is the English translation of the celebrated Odia novel by the same author, "Yamraj Chutire". For a detailed review:
https://rareadssite.wordpress.com/201...
https://rareadssite.wordpress.com/201...
May 25, 2018
Looking for a humorous, witty read? Here’s one for you. ‘Yamraj Number 5003’ is not just any humorous story, it’s a story of the world after death.
Here’s my review of the book:
https://youarethewholegalaxy.wordpres...
Here’s my review of the book:
https://youarethewholegalaxy.wordpres...
Displaying 1 - 7 of 8 reviews