Tenali Raman Stories # 29 - Rama & Red Peacock

Krishna Deva Raya was very fond of collecting rare objects. One day, a courtier had an idea. He asked painter to colour a peacock red. The painter did his job so well and the peacock really looked naturally red.

The courtier took the peacock to the king’s chamber and after presenting it to him, said: "Sir, This is the rarest red peacock available only in the dense forest. I have spent a large amount on it, so that you can add this rare bird in your precious collection." The king was surprised on seeing the peacock and observed the peacock. He was confused. But the peacock looked naturally red so the king said "Yes, It is the rarest peacock. I am glad to have."

The king gave 1000 gold coins for red peacock.

Tenalirama was present there when that peacock was presented to the king. While the king was talking to the courtier he smelled a faint smell of paint.

Raman left the court and asked his servant to find the good painters of the town. Raman asked them to paint five peacocks with red paint.

Next day, Tenalirama took the painter and five peacocks with him to the court. Tenaliraman said, " Sir, Yesterday you received one red peacock today I have five more peacocks. And while you gave twenty five thousand gold coins for one I ‘m ready to sell five for only 1000 gold coins."

The king again found them naturally red. And the king gave an order to Tenalirama "You can take 1000 gold coins from the royal treasury"

On hearing this Tenali Raman said "Sir you should give award to this painter as he painted the peacock so beautifully as to make them look naturally red"

King asked "Are they not naturally red?"

"No you smell them closely and you would get the faint smell of the pain” said Tenaliraman. The kind did so and awarded the painter handsomely. But that courtier was punished.

Tenali Raman once again proved that intelligence coupled with wit was greater strength. 

Cheers!

Tenali Raman Stories # 28 - Thathacharya : Demon Chanting Hymns

Tenali Raman clearly understood that Thathacharya was furious on him. He is just a court poet, while Thathacharya is the royal family teacher and priest. If Raman tried to confront directly with Thathacharya, that might ruin him similar to the situation, a lamb smashing her head when it collided with a mountain to knock it down.

Analysing all the situations in detail and taking comparison of the strengths, Raman decided to encounter Thathacharya with intelligence and not directly waging a war in the open.

Since then, Raman started enquiring about the weaknesses of Thathacharya. In this process, one day Raman managed to speak in isolation with Thathacharya’s night watchman Bhadrudu. Carrying a small package in hand, Raman addressed him, “Hey you, Bhadrudu! If you can give me a small information, all the 100 Varahas in this package will be yours.”

Bhadrudu’s eyes sparkled on hearing ‘100 Varahas’. It was equal to his two months salary and instantly he started calculating about what he could do with that sum. Raman intercepted his thinking, “What are you thinking?”

“Nothing Sir! What should I reveal to you?” he asked in a humble tone. Bhadrudu carefully caught the package thrown at him while Raman asked him, “Nothing very important. Tell me what is the schedule of our master Thathacharya after dusk, that’s all.”

Bhadrudu did not smell anything wrong about Raman enquiring about Thathacharya and immediately replied, “There is no daily night routine for the Master Sir. However, twice a week, he goes towards the East Street after its dark and returns in the early hours. Ah! By the way, this night he will go on his way to the East Street.”

“That’s alright Bhadrudu! Keep this matter within you, as a secret,” stating this Raman left the place briskly.

That night Raman reached the East Street before Thathacharya passed through and stood under the shade of a big tree by the side of the street. After waiting for sometime, he could spot Thathacharya walking into the street from a distance. Raman started shadowing him in the darkness until he walked into the house of a sex worker. Reaching close, Raman could hear the door being locked from inside in the silence of the night. This was what I am waiting for, Raman said to himself and sat in front of the house.

While Raman was waiting, Thathacharya came out of the prostitute’s house just before the dawn when it was still little dark. Immediately, Raman rushed and stood before him. “Good Morning! Master Thathacharya! I now understood the saying ‘Demons chanting hymns’. I will make your secret to everyone and expose your real nature,” he threatened Thathacharya.

Thathacharya started shivering on hearing Raman. It would be the end of respect if he exposed this matter before the elite class, he should be persuaded not to do so. Thathacharya thinking so said, “My Dear Raman! You are my dearest of the disciples. Please do not remember this after we leave this place. I will do good to you. I will give you whatever you wish for.”

Jumping with joy within himself, Raman thought that was the time to take revenge out of him. “Dear master! I have a wish to sit on your shoulders for a distance, since long. Please carry me on your shoulders for a distance and I will forget about all this,” Raman announced.

‘If I don’t do what he says, I should lose hopes on retaining the reputation. Then, it will be like swimming all the seven seas and dying in the pothole in the backyard. I am little blessed, it is still dark, I cannot be so easily spotted by people if I carry him now itself.” So went on Thathacharya’s thinking and making Raman sit on his shoulders started walking down the street and was passing through a street close to King Rayalu’s bedroom in the palace.

Exactly during that time King Rayalu woke up early and was strolling in the balcony. In the loosening darkness, the King identified Thathacharya carrying someone on his shoulder. Immediately he called his gatemen and ordered them, “you fellows! Look at the man carrying another man down there on the street. Bring the person sitting on the shoulders of the carrying man kicking and hitting him from there, to me.” Immediately, the soldiers sprung into action. The always alert and wise Raman understood the situation and got off the shoulders. “Master Thathacharya! Kindly pardon me. I am a sinner by riding your shoulders, a learned man. Now, let me be relieved of at least part of the sin by carrying you on my shoulders.” Somehow, though Thathacharya was hesitant, Raman managed to convince, shouldered Thathacharya, and started walking.

Hardly walking a few yards, the soldiers appeared before them and threw Thathacharya on the ground from Raman’s shoulders. From there, they started dragging him to the King’s presence kicking and hitting him mercilessly. Raman with a great effort managed to stop his joy flowing from inside, said to the soldiers, “What are you doing soldiers? Whom do you think you are beating up? He is Royal Family teacher Thathacharya. It is not fair for you to do so with him. You leave him, hear my words…”

The soldiers replied Raman with a rough tone, “Go on! Go your way! Get away from here. We are doing this on the King’s orders” and pulled Thathacharya to the presence of the King.

Rayalu was furious on noticing Thathacharya being booted by the soldiers. “You Stupids! What did I tell you and what are you doing? You all should be beheaded for humiliating revered Thathacharya.”

Shivering soldiers bowed to the King and pleaded, “Oh My Lord! It was not our mistake, when we entered the street taking your order; Thathacharya was on the shoulders of poet Raman and we following your orders dragged him here. That is it all. You can confirm this with Master Thathacharya before beheading us.”

Thathacharya was in a big soup. If the whole story was narrated, it again links with the night haul. If that comes out, it is the beginning of the end. With great pain Thathacharya told, “My Dear King! They were right Raman was carrying me on his shoulders.”

Rayalu regretted for the happening and asked the soldiers leave the place without punishing them. Later, he got Thathacharya treated for the wounds he suffered on taking the beating of the soldiers.

Raman crookedly was in all laughter the whole day for giving Thathacharya a right lesson.

 

Cheers!

Tenali Raman Stories # 27 - Ramalinga and the Ramayana Recital

Vikrama Simhapuri (presently Nellore town) was part of Vijaya Nagar Empire under the rule of Sri Krishna Deva Rayalu. This place was famous for wicked and cunning women. These women with their uncommon intelligence added to their beauty and appeal used to defeat scholars and experts to transform as their domestic slaves and servants.

A prostitute by name Kanchana Mala among them was too notorious in this regard. In the name of satisfying Ramayana recital, she framed twisty and wicked rules, which made all the competitors lose in their ‘battle’ against the woman. The lady’s “reputation” along with her condition filled Ramayana recital issue spread all over the region and no one was dared to step into her house to compete with her. In case any one ventured, lured by the stunning beauty of Kanchana Mala they too were definite to lose and become either a slave or a servant to her.

One day, Ramakrishna visited Vikrama Simhapuri on his personal accomplishments. Completing his job, he sat with some scholars, reputed persons of the locality, and enquired about the happenings and specialities of the town. The gathering in a synchronised tone explained Ramakrishna about Kanchana Mala and her urge for satisfactory recital of Ramayana epic. One of the associates there said that, “it was her celestial beauty and the quantity of reward that was driving scholars to her, who are finally seen serving her losing the competition.”

One of the senior and aged poet of the region told Tenali Ramakrishna cursing her, “she is not at all a woman, and she is wicked of the wicked. It is you, the right person, to defeat and smash her proudness.”

He continued, “You should teach her a right lesson and release all the scholars suffering in her service.”

Ramakrishna thought, ‘Oh! Kanchana Mala is that highly impious.’ He said to the persons around him, “That being the case, I should definitely compete with her…by the way…what is the test she is winning on?” he questioned. One of them explained that she demands the competitor to recite Ramayana and satisfy her. Every time she says the recital was not satisfactory and orders the competitor to become her slave.” “Poor fellows, what they can do? The condition of the test was to take out a word ‘satisfied’ from her after the performance.”

“Enough! It is alright!” Ramakrishna told all of them, “She just needs to be satisfied with a Ramayana concert, I will do it. One of you keep her informed about my willingness to satisfy her” Ramakrishna said and headed towards his accommodation. Not one, but all of them got up to inform Kanchana Mala about Ramakrishna’s compliance to recite Ramayana at her residence thinking, ‘Yes! Now the time has come for breaking her.’

Ramakrishna, in the evening attired in a disguise went to Kanchana Mala’s residence. “Welcome! Hearty Welcome! O learned man, Welcome” Kanchana Mala invited him.

He told Mala, “I have come to recite Ramayana as if it is happening in front of your eyes.”

“That was good. Then, are you aware of the reward and punishments?” Mala questioned.

“I am aware of those Kanchana Mala! I have a request…” paused Ramakrishna. “Please tell me Sir” Mala immediately responded. “Before I complete the total recital you should not say anything. You should do what ever I say as part of the presentation. After I complete the narration you can reward me if you are ‘satisfied’ or punish otherwise” Ramakrishna sarcastically stated. She agreed to it and the story began.

Ramakrishna started with the birth of Rama, Lakshmana, Bharatha, and Sathrughna. It continued with Rama Lakshmana accompanying with Sage Vishwamithra to protect the celestial sacrifice, killing Thataka, releasing Ahalya from curse, Rama’s marriage with Seetha breaking Lord Shiva’s bow, and Rama’s migration to forests along with Seetha and Lakshmana on stepmother Kaika’s wish.

Ramakrishna was narrating the episodes with an excellent expression and mannerism in a right modulation. Nowhere, Kanchana Mala looked to be satisfied as she was commenting ‘You are not satisfying me.’ He advanced with the story narration about Ravanasura kidnapping Seetha, Rama killing Vali, deploying Hanuman to Lanka with the assistance of Sugreeva. Again Mala screamed, “I am not satisfied with your performance.”

Controlling himself from exploding with anger, Ramakrishna convinced her “Kanchana Mala! You are telling me that you are not satisfied with my performance. However, this would be the best of performance on earth. OK. Let us leave that. Now get ready, you will witness Ramayana happening in front of you.”

“Hehehehe…yeah please continue, I am in fact waiting for that,” she said.

Ramakrishna jumped on to her selectively decorated cot and said, “This is how Hanuman jumped on to the Peak of Mahendra Mountain.” Standing erect on the bed he took another flight and landed on another cot, “Like this Hanuma jumped on to another mountain’s peak.” From there he jumped close to Kanchana Mala and started throwing powerful fists on her back, “this was how Hanuman hit Lankini, who blocked his way from entering Lanka.”

Mala started shouting to the top of her voice, “Oh God! Mother! This man is killing me.” Ramakrishna in a commanding tone, “I told you not to hinder me in the middle. Now shut your mouth, Listen completely…” jumping like an ape, Ramakrishna took out a lighted wisp hanging from the wall. “Hanuman returning from the Ashoka garden after visiting Seetha started torching Lanka and its men like this…” he gave fire to Mala’s clothes and ignited almost all the clothes and inflammables in the house. While Mala was attempting to extinguish fire on her clothes, Ramakrishna repeated beating her all over stating that was how Hanuman thumped the demons in Lanka. Mala other than shouting loudly and protecting her from the fire could not do anything.

Few seconds later, after lighting all the household material, Ramakrishna coolly went to the backyard stood near the well, “this is how Hanuman put out the fire set to his tail by the demons” and started taking bath drawing water from the well.

Looking at the house in fire, Kanchana Mala went astray and ran out of the house like a mad woman. Ramakrishna’s sarcastic comments irked her further more, “Who else can narrate Ramayana so lively Kanchana Mala, did you enjoy that?”

Cursing, yelling, screaming Kanchana Mala said, “fraud, cheat, he said he will recite Ramayana for me and set the house on fire.” With disturbed clothes and hair, she ran to he local Court of Law and approached the judge. She sought justice from the judge explaining the whole episode. Meanwhile, Ramakrishna reached there without any tension appearing on his face.

The Judge questioned Ramakrishna, “What is your answer to her allegations?” Ramakrishna folded hands at the Judge and appealed, “Your Majesty! I do not bear any fault with me. It was she, who wished to witness a lively Ramayana recital to her ‘satisfaction’.” Describing all the past and present deeds of Kanchana Mala, Ramakrishna said, “Mr Justice! I believe I am not at fault. In case the honourable court finds any, I am ready to take the punishment.”

The Judge understood that it was the wicked and proud nature of Kanchana Mala, which brought her to this turn of life. He scolded her for cheating and humiliating scholars and learned persons in the name of Ramayana recital and rewards. The judgement made it clear that Ramakrishna did not have any fault to punish and freed him. In addition to this, the verdict released all the learned men who were serving her as servants and slaves. Ramakrishna received all the appreciations from the people of the town. 

 

Cheers!

Tenali Raman Stories # 26 - Ramalinga wins the war before drawing Swords

Rama Sastry was a renowned scholar in reasoning, logic, and grammar. A wish lied in his heart to compete with Ashta Diggajas in Bhuvana Vijayam of Sri Krishna Deva Rayalu. The wish strengthened with the passage of time. With the desire in him, he appeared before the King Rayalu, one day when he was in his usual literary sessions with the eight jewels of his court.

“Hey King of Kings,” Rama Sastry presented salutations to Rayalu, “You are the beacon of the Vijaya Nagar Empire! With your pleasant looks poetry, literature and composition are flourishing in this region. I bow to you with all respects.” Sastry continued, “The hear and say about the Ashta Diggajas in your Bhuvana Vijayam, their command over various divisions of literature. They all are reputed and their names are uttered with respect in the scholars and learned circles. I seek your kind permission to question them and know about their efficiency in their concerned arenas.”

King Rayalu on listening to the humble request of the visiting intellectual, “Dear learned person! I too carry a thought to know the standards and excellence of our Ashta Diggajas. I would be happy if that wish is accomplished through you Rama Sastry. You attend the court tomorrow and let there be a professional competition.” Rayalu ordered his courtiers to arrange a guest accommodation to the visitor.

Satisfied Rama Sastry presenting salutations to the king again and left Bhuvana Vijayam.

The next day, Rama Sastry presented himself in the court with all preparation. Allasani Peddana, Nandi Thimmana, Rama Raja Bhushanudu, Madaya Gari Mallana, Dhoorjati, Ayyala Raju Rama Bhadrudu, Bhattu Murthy, and Tenali Ramakrishna besides full house attendance to watch the competition fill the Bhuvana Vijayam. All the seven among the Ashta Diggajas were tensed with the reputation they heard about Rama Sastry about his command and expertise in logic, reasoning, and grammar. Sastry’s name is taken with scare and respect, as he defeated those personalities who were graded to be aces in that division of literature. All the seven were nervous thinking whether there is a possibility of winning the visiting scholar or not.

While Sastry was sitting in all comfort, confidence and the seven of the Ashta Diggajas were worried; Tenali Ramalinga was seated in all ease and pleasant. Ramalinga after salutations to the King Rayalu and taking his permission started speaking, “Mr Rama Sastry! Are you good in poetry.” Rama Sastry thinking that as an insult to him was about to enrage on Ramalinga. However, recollecting that he is present in the royal court of King Rayalu stopped himself from doing so.

Gazing Ramalinga top to bottom sarcastically said, “Do you think that I am no good at that stupid…verses? Do you consider even that a scholarship?”

Instantly replied Ramalinga, “That was good to know Mr Rama Sastry that you are good in stupid poetry. We understood that very well with your words. So nice of you.” Sastry questioned, “Ramalinga, are there two categories as stupid poetry and bright poetry?”

“That was your statement, Rama Sastry!” Ramalinga bounced back, “you asked me whether I think you are no good in stupid verses. That’s all right. Let us keep that aside for now, I request you to keep us informed what are you scholar in?”

“I am reputed for my scholarship in logic and grammar. On both the subjects I have excellent command,” replied Rama Sastry.

Ramalinga innocently said, “Mr Sastry! For quite some time, I have a doubt in a grammar sequence. Can you clarify, if I ask you that?”

“Sure!” Sastry answered with all pride and proud filled tone, “you don’t have to hesitate any more.”

“What is the grammatical rule and theory to be followed for a word, ‘Thriyambaka’” Ramalinga furnished his suspicion.

Rama Sastry moved his body as if he was in laughter within. Later, he said that “is that a doubt? Don’t you know even that? Thri + Ambaka= Thriyambaka. This is known as Dwigu Samasam (A theoretical regulation in Telugu (Andhra) Grammar for combining two meaningful words into one.) God! How is that you are placed so high without knowing such a common basic, strange!” commented Sastry.

“Hey! Is that all?” Ramalinga was ready for another bout of sarcasm, “If this is what you know, and can define then your scholarship is like a dead wood.”

When the two were about to get into the actual and real round of debate and discussion, King Rayalu stopped them and adjourned the competitive session for the next day, as he was to take care of administrative and other affairs.

News spread in the city like wildfire that Ramalinga and Rama Sastry are about to have a literary war in the Bhuvana Vijayam, the next day enthusiasts, scholars, poets, composers and others flooded into the galleries of the court.

When almost all the distinguished personalities of Bhuvana Vijayam including the visitor Rama Sastry, King Rayalu entered the court and occupied the royal throne. All those present in the court saluted the King and took their respective seats. Ramalinga was not seen, and noticing this Rama Sastry grinned within. Sastry thought Ramalinga was scared and was not present. Just then, Ramalinga carrying something fastened in a nice cloth entered in a hurry and sat after saluting the King and the court.

Those present in the galleries whispered among them looking at Ramalinga surprisingly. After the King waved for continuation of the debate and discussion, Rama Sastry questioned, “Ramalinga can I know what is the title of the book you carried in?” Ramalinga not hesitating a moment replied, “This is king of standard books titled, ‘Thilakashta Mahisha Bandhanam’.” Rama Sastry puzzled on hearing such title, curiously he leaned forward and repeated, “What? Thilakashta Mahisha Bandhanam?”

“Yes! Mr Rama Sastry!” Ramalinga said, “Thilakashta Mahisha Bandhanam! Haven’t you read this book earlier? Presuming that this standard book would be helpful for our debate and discussion, I brought this along.”

Rama Sastry could not figure out what to do. First, he never knew that such books of standards existed, secondly, Ramalinga brought that along with him. ‘What to do if he countered my argument and presented one or the other citations from the book in support of his counter-argument? I will be closed and my skills and expertise, command would never be respected again.’ Rama Sastry thought for a while and decided to do something. Turning towards the King Rayalu he said, “My Lord! Ramalinga brought Thilakashta Mahisha Bandhanam with him to standardize his argument and counter-argument in the session. That being the case, I should also bring some standard books to support my logic and reasoning. If the King kindly grant me permission to bring those from my guest accommodation, I would return immediately…”

King Rayalu acceded his plea and consented, “It’s alright, proceed.” Rama Sastry threw himself out of the court like a whirlwind.

Time was passing by and Rama Sastry did not return. Rayalu was compelled to postpone the session for the next day, as the session cannot continue without the competitor’s presence.

The next morning, again the court was waiting for Rama Sastry. He never appeared. King Rayalu ordered his soldiers to verify and inform the court about the disappearance of Rama Sastry. Soldiers returned like a ball hit to the wall and explained that Rama Sastry in the dark of the night went away with his luggage. Probably this could be the result of the realization that, he is definite to lose in the debate and discussion. From protecting himself from the humiliation, Rama Sastry should have left not informing anyone.

The total presence in the Bhuvana Vijayam including King Rayalu could not stop getting into laughter. Looking appraisingly at Ramalinga, Rayalu said it was an excellent performance.

“Ramalinga!” Rayalu asked, “Recite to the court some good contents of the book you brought along, Thilakashta Mahisha Bandhanam, to the court.”

“Hahahahah…Hahhahaha…” Ramalinga said, “with all due respects to the King, is that you also mistook this bundle to be a book? Look at this…” and opened the bundle. Again there was hilarity in the court, as it was a book, it was a tender Sesamum plant tied with reign rope for buffalos. Both were fastened in a nice cloth. Looking at the contents of the bundle, there was amusement for the courtiers and onlookers.

Ramalinga explained, “Thilakashta means a Sesamum plant and Mahisha Bandhanam, a rope used for tying a buffalo, both put together, Thilakashta Mahisha Bandhanam. That is it all. No standards and no books. Rama Sastry fell into dilemma on hearing this name, he did not try to take the title and think. In all confusion, he fled the city.”

King Sri Krishna Deva Rayalu appreciated the intellect of Ramalinga and felicitated him for protecting the reputation of Bhuvana Vijayam. That was how, Ramalinga won the battle long before drawing any sword!

Cheers!

Tenali Raman Stories # 25 - The King's Condition

One day, King Krishnadev Rai was in a good mood. He gave each of his courtiers a bag containing fifty gold coins. The courtiers were thrilled. Just then the king said, "You have to use these gold coins within one week. At the end of the week, you will show me all that you have bought with these gold coins. But there is a condition. Every time you spend some gold coins, you will have to see my face."

All the courtiers were very pleased. They left for the market to do some shopping. But whenever they decided to buy something, they remembered the king's condition. How could they see the king's face in the market? And if they did not see the king's face, they could not spend the gold coins. The courtiers were puzzled. Some of them roamed the market for the whole week. They thought, "If the king himself comes to the market
to buy something, we might get to see his face. And then we can spend the gold coins."

But the king never came to the market. The whole week passed in this way. When the court assembled after a week, the king asked the courtiers, "Well, what did you buy with the gold coins that I had given you?" The royal priest arose from his seat. On behalf of all the courtiers, he said, "Your Majesty, all of us went to the market with great enthusiasm and excitement. We all had our bags of gold coins with us. And we wanted to buy many things! But we could not buy anything at all... Only because of the condition laid down by you. How and where could we see your face in the market?" Pointing towards the bags of gold coins that all the courtiers had brought back, the royal priest said, "Since none of us could see your face in the market, not a single gold coin could be spent."

Hearing this, the king began to laugh. He then asked Tenalirama, "Did you buy anything?" That day, Tenalirama had come to the court wearing new clothes and ornaments. He said, "Your Majesty, Look at this new dhoti... this silk kurta... this beautiful scarf...And this shining ring... I bought all these things with the gold coins given by you." All the courtiers were pleased to hear this. They thought, "Tenalirama did not see the king's face. Yet he spent all the gold coins. He has not fulfilled the condition laid down by the king. Tenalirama will be surely punished today."
 

The king said, "Tenalirama! You have not fulfilled the condition laid down by me. You did not see my face in the market. Yet you dared to buy these things!" Tenalirama said, "Your Majesty, I have spent every single gold coin only after I saw your face."

The king was surprised. He said, "How is that possible?" Tenalirama said, "Your Majesty, Have you forgotten that every gold coin bears the imprint of your face ?" "Oh..." said the King, rather pleased. He smiled gently. All the courtiers were rendered speechless.

Cheers!

Tenali Raman Stories # 24 - Tenali Raman & the Luxurious Parrot

One day, the king was taking a walk in the garden with Tenali Raman. They talked with each other in a friendly manner and together admired the fleecy white clouds, the luxurious gardens, the colorful fruit laden trees and the flower scents that wafted through the air.

The day was indeed very pleasant and the king couldn’t have been in a better mood. As they walked back to the palace, they heard a screeching noise. The king smiled as he recognized the screech. It came from his beloved and most cherished pet- the royal parrot. Raman also followed the king as he entered the palace.

The parrot had a room of it’s own. Inside the room a beautiful golden cage stood embedded with all the precious stones.The parrot, a very bright colored creature was sitting perched on a tiny swing made of gold. It wore a diamond necklace around its neck. It was beautiful bird and when it saw the king it began to talk like a good old friend.

Raman noticed that the cage was carpeted with a lush Kashmir spread and the silver bowl that contained water for the parrot gleamed in the sun. An assorted selection of nuts and berries from all the corners of the land lay on a golden plate which bore the bird’s name intricately carved in silver on the side.

The king spent a few minutes talking to his dream pet and Tenali stood silently beside them not uttering a word. The king seeing that Tenali remained silent asked him “What are you thinking Tenali?” “I am thinking about this parrot my Lord” he replied.

“So what about him? Isn’t he a beauty?” asked the King.

“Yes, I guess he is Lord” replied Raman.

“Of course he is!” There is no doubt about that’s what are you wondering at?” demanded the King.

“I am wondering my Lord, if….” “Well what are you speculating Tenali? Out with it soon. I am fed up with your long pauses and sighs,” said the King, a little impatient that the usual quick was dragging.

“Well, I was wondering whether the bird was happy, my Lord,” replied Raman.

“Happy? You must be out of your mind Tenali!” thundered the King.

“Look at this parrot. Is he not happy? See the finery with which he is surrounded. No other bird has the opportunity to perch on my fingers. No other bird in the entire universe has a cage like this. How dare you say that he is not happy?”

“Forgive me my Lord for contradicting you,” replied Tenali humbly, “but still I think that he is not happy deep within”

“Why on earth do you think so? Has he expressed anything to you?” asked the King a little concerned.

“No, the parrot doesn’t talk to me as he does to you my Lord. But I know that he is not happy. I do agree that your parrot has indeed everything a man could wish for. But he is a bird my Lord. And birds need to be up in the sky and not in a cage. Look at all those birds outside my Lord. I find your parrot looking at them quite often.”

The King looked at the birds outside and said “He may not have the freedom to fly around like them. But he doesn’t have to go searching for his food and shelter like the rest either. He is not unhappy for sure!”

“I may sound impudent my Lord, but I totally disagree with you on this. Birds should be free to fly and soar up in the sky. Golden cages can’t replace the freedom they long for. It’s very lonely for your parrot hereafter you have gone. Just imagine yourself my Lord in this place all shut up till someone comes to see you? Can you really be happy even if you had the best bed to lie on and the best food to eat?”

The King became angry and shouted “How dare you argue with me Tenali? I know for sure that my parrot is happy. I will not agree with you.”

Unmoved by the angry king, Tenali simply replied, “I’ll surely not agree this time with you either my Lord. Your parrot is downright miserable.”

The King couldn’t bare it anymore. He became furious and screamed “Get out of my sight Tenali. I don’t want to see your face ever again.” The King walked out of the room and shut it with a bang. He didn’t go to the court. He missed his lunch, tea and dinner and none including the queen dared to go near him, afraid of his anger.

The next morning the king woke up tired and hungry. His anger had cooled down to a great extent and he wanted to eat well to makeup for the previous day. He summoned his courtiers for food. After a while he heard a knock at the door. The door opened and in front of him stood a strange creature holding his food tray.

The creature wore human clothes but his head was nothing but a blackened pot with 2 holes for the eyes. The king screamed in fright and yelled for his guards. All of them came and stood around the strange black creature not having courage to catch him.

The king asked him,” Who are you? What brings you here to my place?”

From inside the depths of the pot came a meek voice, “My Lord, your loyal servant Tenali Raman”

“Tenali Raman! How dare you come to me? I told you never to show your face again, isn’t it?” thundered the king.

“I have kept your orders my Lord. That’s why I am wearing a pot on my head- to cover my face,” replied the witty minister.

The king was so shocked to find Raman inside the pot that he stood speechless for a moment.

Then his anger melted away and he burst out laughing. He laughed so hard till tears came rolling down his cheeks.

The guards and courtiers, who were terrified to even go near the king the previous day because of his anger, heaved a huge sigh of relief and grinned at each other, well pleased at the change in the Kings mood.

When he calmed down, the king said “Raman! How clever you are! Remove the pot off your head. I need to talk to you.”

The king dismissed the guards and he pulled Raman to his room and said, “”Raman! Please forgive me. I have realized that I was wrong. I thought over whatever you said all through the night. Yes, birds do need their freedom indeed. The first thing we need to do this morning is to set him free. Please forgive me for being so angry with you. I shall never again do so.”

“I am so glad to hear your decision my Lord,” replied Raman removing the pot off his head.

“I hope and pray that your parrot is happy wherever he is. I am sure my Lord that even if you release him, he will come and visit you often in our gardens. He will not forget your friendship though he is free.”

“I hope so Raman! But I will be happy even if he doesn’t return. After all he belongs to the sky and not to a golden cage. And Raman, here is a bag of gold and gift for opening my eyes. Please do feel free to come to me whenever you wish. I am so proud to have you to advise me.”

Handing Raman the bag of gold, the King headed to the other end of his palace to release the parrot.

Cheers!

Tenali Raman Stories # 23 - Tenali Rama & Mahabharata

In olden days, Mohammedans ruled parts of the sub-continent with Delhi as their capital for over two centuries. Few of the Mohammedan rulers maintained patience towards Hindu rituals and maintained communal harmony encouraging Hindu scholars and prophets.

Delhi was in Adil Shah’s rule concurrently while Sri Krishna Deva Rayalu was ruling Vijaya Nagar. A war broke out between the two kingdoms for supremacy over one another. At one stage, both the rulers felt there was a need to establish peace in the region. Adil Shah invited Rayalu to Delhi for finalising the peace treaty.

Hoping to utilise the opportunity to establish a cordial relation between the two empires, Rayalu headed for Delhi with a big team comprising of poets, dancers, scholars and others. At Delhi, Adil Shah gave red carpet welcome to Rayalu. During the pleasant rounds of discussions, Adil Shah urged the scholars and poets from the Rayalu band to recite some sequences from the epic Mahabharat.

The visitors recited several sequences to please the Delhi Sultan. It was then that trouble shot up for the Vijaya Nagar ruler. Adil Shah expressed his wish and requested Rayalu to make his men rewrite the Mahabharat portraying him and his friends as Pandavas and his rivals as Kauravas. The total visiting team was shocked to hear the Sultan. They somehow managed to close the day’s meeting immediately.

Rayalu was worried about the development. He called for an emergency meeting with the learned persons of his team. In the meeting, he sought suggestions from them to avert the problem. Everyone started scratching their heads to find an amicable solution. None could come out with any concrete proposal. After watching all this, suddenly Ramakrishna raised and put his proposal before Rayalu.

He said, “My Lord! I think there is not much for you or us to get so much worried and burdened about the Delhi Sultan’s wish about Mahabharat. You please leave the problem onto my shoulders and have a relaxed sleep. I will solve the problem without any problem.” The King Rayalu had his own doubts about the safety of the kingdom and its people.

“Ramakrishna…” Rayalu said, “…I am aware that you are a genius. However, it is not a common situation. Dealing with the Delhi Sultan is not an easy job. It is similar to fete on the edge of a sword. You should be very careful!” He was worried that if the problem was not dealt properly, there was a chance that Delhi Sultan might declare a war on Vijaya Nagar.

Ramakrishna was stiff to his argument and assured everyone to leave the matter to him. The big heads of the meeting could not comprehend how Ramakrishna was confident that he could solve this ‘so easily!’ Anyway, they told each other, as we could not come out with any proposal for the solution, let him handle this. The meeting finally nominated Ramakrishna to take care of the situation.

Next morning, the court was packed with both the rulers and their henchmen. Adil Shah recalled his wish about re-composing of the Mahabharat. Ramakrishna rose from his seat and saluted the Sultan. “Huzoor! All of our poets are into the job assigned by your majesty’s wish. However, every one of us is stuck at one specific issue. It is not proper for us to discuss the subject in the court. If you can kindly permit me, I wish to present the poking issue before you in private.”

Adil Shah thought that there should really be some problem and consented for the one-on-one meeting with Ramakrishna in a separate room. Ramakrishna folding hands and presenting all respects to the Sultan in his words started, “Your Highness! You are the king of kings! It was our pleasure to know about your inclination about our epics like Mahabharat. The poets and scholars started re-composing the whole epic, in accordance to your majesty’s wish. You are being portrayed as Dharmaraja, eldest of Pandavas and your friends as Bheema, Arjuna, Nakula and Sahadeva.”

Ramakrishna paused a second and continued, “This is where we had to scratch our brains…” However he was not forth coming with the problem. Adil Shah waited and when it was clear that he has to get it out of Ramakrishna he ordered, “What is the problem? Tell me clearly and quickly."

“You are aware Huzoor! That Pandavas are five. All the five were married to Draupadi and were sharing her equally…” Ramakrishna stressed, “We are unable to portray your image as Dharmaraja in this regard, thinking about the prestige of the King of Kings….”

Long before Ramakrishna could complete, Adil Shah hastened to say, “Stop this nonsense now. I cannot take this anymore. Stop rewriting Mahabharat immediately. I can never accept this.”

Ramakrishna tried to say… “Huzoor! We started to work as per your wish…now, how can we turn away from the word given to you by us…we…” “Look Poet!” Adil Shah raised his voice, “you should drop the Mahabharat topic as of now if you wish the friendship and co-operation between the two kingdoms to last long. Is that clear” and walked off the room.

Ramakrishna bubbling with joy returned to his King Rayalu and his bandwagon of delegation and explained the whole sequence. Everyone including Rayalu appreciated the sharp intelligence and presence of mind Ramakrishna had in solving the toughest problem just like that!

Yet again, Ramakrishna proved that timely sense of wit can be very handy in problem-solving. 

 

Cheers!

Tenali Rama Stories # 22 - Tenali Rama & Rama Raja Bhushana

It was one of those finest days at Bhuvana Vijayam. King Rayalu along with his Ashta Diggajas was enjoying the literary discussion session that day.

Rama Raja Bhushana was known to be a romantic poet, authoring prose and poetry reciting women and their beauty. Rayalu asked Rama Raja Bhushana to frame a stanza on the beauty of women, extempore.

Rama Raja Bhushana rose from his seat and thought for a second or two and immediately composed,

“Naanaa soona vithavai vaasanala naa ghraaenchu saarangame
Laa nannolla datanchu gandha phalithabal, kakan bondiyo
Shaa naasaa kruthii booni sarva sumassourabha samvasamai
Poonen brekshana maalika madhukaree punjambui lirvankalakun”
Rayalu was impressed about the way Rama Raja Bhushana described the beauty of woman instantly. Pleased over, Rayalu appreciated him and felicitated him with one thousand gold coins.

Raman, as everyone knows is not for sitting quite on any happening. He sprung off his seat to say, “My Lord, Rama Raja Bhushana bought this poem from Nandi Thimmanna for one thousand gold coins. It is surprising how come you know the exact price of the deal. It would not be profitable to him if you pay him exactly the same price at which he purchased…”

Hearing this the total gathering immersed in laughter. Rama Raja Bhushana had no way to counter Raman, though he wished to, as the damage was already done. He could only manage sitting calm grinding his teeth on Raman.

Some days later, one fine evening Rama Raja Bhushana along with his disciple was passing through the street in which Nandi Thimmana’s residence was located. A subject discussion was going on in Thimmana’s house during that time. Rama Raja Bhushana could locate Raman from distance, participating in the discussions.

Loudly Rama Raja Bhushana told his disciple describing the session as,

“Vaakila Kaavali Thimmana
Vaakita Kavi Koti Maadhavakitakaade”
The sarcastic poetry described that the session was like an assembly of pigs that gathered near the threshold of Nandi Thimmana.

Hearing this, Raman picked up the tone in which Rama Raja Bhushana was speaking. Immediately he stopped the discussion and said,

“Prakrutha, Sanskrutha, Ghaarjhura
mookee krutha kukavi thunga mustha thathikin
Vaakila Kaavali Thimmana
Vaakita Kavi Koti Maadhavakitakaade”

This meant that the discussion session would resemble similar to the gathering of pigs, for those who composes prose and poetry with a mixture of nonsense, brutal language, and irrelevant issues.

Rama Raja Bhushana taking the meaning immediately rushed off the place along with his disciple.

That was how Raman humiliated Rama Raja Bhushana.

 

Cheers!

Tenali Raman Stories # 21 - Tenali Rama & the Jinx

It was well known in the town of Vijaynagar that anyone unfortunate enough to look at a man called Ramaya first thing in the morning, would not be able to have food that day. That was why no one in Vijaynagar liked encountering Ramaya in the morning, if they could help it.

King Krishnadeva Raya, too, came to know of this and wanted to try it out on himself.

He called Ramaya to the palace and made him stay the night in a room adjacent to his bedchamber. The next morning, the first thing he did after waking up, was to take a look at Ramaya.

After finishing a few important duties in the durbar or court, the king went to the dining hall to eat. The food arrived piping hot. The king had hardly picked up the first morsel when he caught sight of a fly in the food. He left the table in disgust. And when the food was prepared for him the second time, he found that he had lost his appetite.

King Krishnadeva Raya could not eat anything at all that day, as a result.

The king was convinced that Ramaya was really jinxed. An angry king ordered that Ramaya be hanged.

In those days the king's word was law. The soldiers had no option but to take Ramaya to the gallows. While on their way to the gallows, they met Tenali Rama. He heard the story from the condemned man and then whispered something in Ramaya's ears. Ramaya nodded before being whisked away.

When the soldiers asked Ramaya about his last wish, he told them he wanted to convey a message to the king. He also requested that he be hanged only after hearing of the king's response.

"Tell the king while it may be true that anyone who sees my face first thing in the morning does not get anything to eat that day, it's also true that if anyone sees the king's face first thing in the morning, as I did, he has to lose his life. So who's the greater jinx - the king or I?" said Ramaya.

On hearing the message, the king was stunned. Then he felt ashamed. He ordered the execution to be stopped, called Ramaya over and offered him gifts. He also asked Ramaya not to say anything about the incident to the public. He was sure that the people of Vijaynagar wouldn't take well to the idea of having a jinxed person for a ruler. 

 

Cheers!

Tenali Raman Stories # 20 - Tenali Rama & the Bringal

King Krishnadeva Raya had some superior quality brinjal or aubergine plants growing in his private garden. No one was allowed to view the garden without the king's permission, let alone taste the brinjal.

Once the king invited his courtiers to a feast in which the brinjal was served. Tenali Rama enjoyed the vegetable so much that he talked to his wife about it on returning home - so much so that she insisted on tasting it.

"How can I get them for you?" Tenali Rama asked. "The king is so possessive about the vegetable that he can detect the theft of even one brinjal from his garden. And, I'm sure that he would want the thief's head chopped off right then, if he caught him red-handed.

But Tenali's wife begged him to allow her to taste the brinjal.

Tenali Rama was helpless. After much deliberation, he agreed to his wife's demand. One night he quietly jumped into the king's garden and plucked a few brinjals from the garden. His wife cooked them with zeal and was all praise for the taste. She wanted to let their six-year-old son also taste the vegetable, but Tenali Rama asked her not to.

"Don't make such a mistake", he warned her. "If he happens to tell somebody, we will be in deep trouble."

But his wife did not agree. "How is that possible? How can we eat something whose taste we shall remember forever and not share it with our son! Find a way out so that he gets to taste the vegetable and nobody is able to prove that we stole it from the king's garden."

Tenali Rama had no option but to nod his head in agreement.

He filled a bucket with water and went upstairs to the roof where his son was sleeping. He poured the water on the child. Then he picked up the child and said: "It is raining. Let us go inside the house."

Once in, he got the child's clothes changed and gave him the vegetable to eat. He again remarked that it was raining outside, and let the boy sleep in the room.

The next day the king came to know of the theft in his garden. The royal gardener who kept a head count of each vegetable and flower, found one brinjal missing. It became the talk of the town. The king declared a huge prize on the thief's head.

Chief Minister Appaji suspected that only Tenali Rama was capable of such an audacious act. He let the king know about his suspicion.

The king said: "I know he is very clever and always gets out of charges on one pretext or the other. It is better that we call his son. We will find the truth through him. Tenali will lie to get out of any situation, but he would never ask the child to do so."

Tenali Rama's son was called. He was asked what vegetable he ate the night before. The child replied: "The brinjal and it was the tastiest vegetable I've ever eaten."

Chief Minister Appaji told Tenali Rama: "Now you will have to accept your guilt."

"Why should I when I'm not guilty?" replied Tenali Rama. "The boy went to sleep very early last night and seems to have had many dreams. That is why he is talking nonsense about brinjals and rain and what not. Ask him if it rained last night or not."

Appaji asked the child: "How was the weather last night? Was the sky clear or did it rain?"

The child replied: "It rained heavily last night. All my clothes got wet when I slept on the roof." The fact was, not a single drop of rain had fallen on Vijaynagar that day.

Appaji had no option but to get rid of his suspicions in the face of such apparent madness.

He apologised to Tenali Rama for having suspected him. 

 

Cheers!

Tenali Raman Stories # 19 - Tenali Rama & the Messenger

The kingdom of Vijaynagar had not been enjoying good relations with its neighbouring state for a very long time. Jealous opponents of Tenali Rama, the king's minister, found it the perfect opportunity to damage his reputation. So they went about poisoning Krishnadeva Raya's mind against him.

One day, when the king sat in his chamber pondering over the affairs of the state, one of his courtiers came up and whispered into his ear: "Your Majesty, have you heard the latest?"

The king was surprised and exclaimed: "No, I have not! What's going on?"

In his gravest voice, the courtier answered: "Your majesty, I will tell you only after you promise not to harm me."

"Don't be silly," laughed the king. "Say whatever you want to; you need not be afRayad of me."

"Your Majesty, Tenali is on the payroll of the neighbouring king. He has been spying on us for them."

"What are you talking about?" asked the king angrily.

"I told you, your Majesty. This has been going on for a long time. But you would not listen to a word against Tenali. He has cast such a spell on you that you refuse to even think that he might betray you."

"Tenali Rama is faithful to the kingdom. He cannot do this. You have been misinformed," the king replied with confidence.

But the courtier convinced the king to regard the statement with some gravity and not dismiss it outright. Those were times of great intrigue.

"Your majesty, I am fully confident about the truth of my information. Do you think I would have spoken to you without verifying such the information?" said the courtier.

Now the king was obliged to turn the statement over in his mind. He promised to get the matter investigated and said that if Tenali Rama was found guilty, he would be punished.

The king sent for Tenali Rama the following day. Without wasting time on preliminaries, he asked the minister whether he was in league with the neighbouring state.

The question shocked Tenali Rama so much that he was stunned and could not say anything.

When Krishnadeva Raya found him silent, he became angry and thundered: "Your silence says you accept the charge."

Deeply hurt that the king could doubt his loyalty, Tenali Rama said he refused to answer to such a preposterous charge.

This made the king even more angry. He ordered Tenali Rama to leave his kingdom.

Tenali Rama was surprised at the mildness of the punishment. Acts of treachery against the state earned the offender the death sentence in those days.

The king had his reasons, however. "I have decided on such a mild punishment for you because of your high stature, and the fact that we have enjoyed the best of relations thus far. Had it been anyone else, I would have got his head severed."

Tenali Rama did not say a single word in his defence and went away with his head bowed.

When his enemies heard that Tenali Rama had been expelled from the kingdom their joy knew no bounds.

Tenali Rama now reached the neighbouring state and met the king there. He recited a poem in pRayase of the king. That pleased the king very much. He asked Tenali Rama who he was and when Tenali Rama revealed his name, the king welcomed him warmly. He had heard much about Tenali Rama's sagacity.

But the king was surprised to see Tenali Rama in his court. "Raja Krishnadeva Raya considers me his enemy. So what are you doing here?"

The minister replied: "Majesty, you are a learned man. You have great strength. You are a good administrator and wish your people well. Our king also possesses all these virtues. He regards you as a friend and he has send me to remove the existing misunderstanding between us."

The king was surprised. "Your king considers me a friend? But our spies warned us that Krishnadeva Raya was thinking of attacking us."

Tenali Rama said: "Our spies have fed our king the same pack of lies. That is why he has sent me to you. Has war ever benefitted anybody?"

The king was impressed by Tenali Rama's story. He said: "I do not want war, either. But how can I believe that Krishnadev Raya really wants peace?"

Tenali Rama suggested that the king send a messenger with gifts and a message of peace to Vijaynagar. And if king Krishnadeva Raya accepted the gifts, it would mean that he, too, wanted to be friends. But if he returned the gifts, then obviously, he wanted war.

The king had one doubt. "Won't it be an insult to me if I sent the message first?"

Tenali Rama had a ready answer. "I have come with the message of peace and so it is us who have made the first move."

The king liked the sound of that and sent his special messenger to Vijaynagar the next day.

Meanwhile, king Krishnadeva Raya had come to know that Tenali Rama was innocent and that the courtiers had conspired against him. As soon as the messenger from the neighbouring state reached him with costly gifts, he was delighted.

He was full of pRayase for Tenali Ramaa's wisdom and sent his own minister with gifts to the neighbouring state, with a request that the king send back Tenali Ram.

And when Tenali Rama returned to Vijaynagar, King Krishnadeva Raya warmly welcomed him and offered him gifts.

He also promised to punish the clique of courtiers who had poisoned his ear against his favourite minister.