Tbe ‘Stories of Tenali RiimiiTi" is an

entertaining mid thought provoking

book i hat can be enjoyed by ait age
groups. These stories high light the
wisdom, humour mid intelligence oJ'
Tenali Raman. (he court jester of tbe
King K risb nude varayur The ingenious
ways of Tenali Raman in solving
delicate and complicated problems will
definitely fascinate he readers.
i

H & C Publishing House

Thrissur
 Retold by:George Immatty
Translated by: SuresKkumar

H & C PUBLISHING HOUSE

Thrissur
Price : Rs. 10/-
 TENALI RAMAN,
1.

THE GREAT COURT JESTER

This is Raman, the famous court

the story of Tenali
jester of the renowned Vijayanagaram Empire of Krishna

Devarayar. The empire was famous for its glory and

wealth and it was in the State of Andhra Pradesh of
modern India. The Vijayanagaram Kingdom was estab-
lished in 1336 AD The period of Krishna Devarayar is
.

considered as the Golden Era of the Vijayanagaram

Empire.

Raman was born in Garlappad village in Krishna

STORIES OF TENALI RAMAN district of Andhra Pradesh. His father Ramayya died
Retold by: George Immatty when Raman was very young. Later, his mother took
Translated by: Sureshkumar
him to Tenali. Thus he became Tenali Raman. After
First Published February 2002
:
completing school education, Raman returned to his
Reprinted at January 2005
Typesetting : Sky Graphics, Nilambur
village. Raman was a very intelligent boy but he was very
Printed at : Hebron, Thrissur naughty. He was not willing to do any work and was in
Publishers: the grip of starvation. Even in the midst of poverty and
H&C PUBLISHING HOUSE hunger, he used to ridicule his neighbours and friends.
Thrissur - 680 001
website : handcbooks.com There are many incidents to prove his wisdom and
Distributors: intelligence.
H&C STORES
Kunnamkulam, Thrissur, Ernakulam, Kottayam Once Tenali, the green village was under severe
Kozhikode,Thiruvananthapuram, Palakkad drought. All the ponds and wells were dry. All the
vegetation vanished. Famine spread throughout the
Price : Rs. 10/-
village. The cry of hunger and thirst echoed everywhere.
02-10000-010105
Drinking water became scarce and some of the villagers
fled for other villages.
H Tenali Raman

During this time a monk reached the village. The 2. GODDESS KALI BLESSES RAMAN
moment he set foot on the soil of the village, it began to
rain. People thought that it was the arrival of the monk
Raman learned the Kali mantras taught by the monk.
that caused the shower. Everyone except Raman hailed
He grasped it soon. He went to the Kali temple in the
the monk and touched his feet as a sign of reverence.
night and began to chant it. It was midnight and an
Raman was hesitant to accept this logic. His rational uneasy calm prevailed in that area. Only Raman’s man-

mind believed was not the arrival of the monk

that it tras burst the silence. Suddenly a frightening figure
that caused the rain. It would have rained, even if the appeared on the scene amidst thunderous noise. It was
monk had not arrived. This was his attitude and he told really the Goddess Kali. The Kali Devi had thousand
this truth to others. The villagers advised him not to faces and all the thousand mouths were opened, the long
provoke the monk. But Raman wished to tell the truth to teeth stretched outside the mouth. Fire emanated from
the monk. He came near him and told, ‘Hello, Swami, all the thousand eyes. It was altogether a tenable figure.
have you seen a palm tree ? Once, a tired crow wanted
But Raman remained unmoved. He did not feel any-
to perch on a tree. It saw a palm tree and perched on it
thing extraordinary. He simply smiled. ‘’Why are you
At moment, a nut fell down from the tree. Some
that
laughing?” Devi asked Raman. “A mysterious doubt
people, who saw this simultaneous incidents commented,
‘it was the crow that caused the nut to fall down.’ But I
provoked me into laughter. I have only one head and a
nose. Yet during cold, I find it difficult to wipe out the
think it is nothing but a superstition. Is it not a supersti-
Swami?’ Raman asked the monk. The ripe nut
tion, discharge from the nose with my hands. You have got

would have fallen, even if the crow did not perch on the thousand heads and the same number of noses, but have
tree. only two hands. It will be difficult for you to wipe out
the discharge from all the noses with just two hands.
But the villagers were reluctant to accept Raman’s
Please forgive me for saying this,” Raman answered.
arguments. When the people dispersed, the monk called
The reply made Devi to start laughing. She liked Raman’s
Raman and told, ‘You are very intelligent. I will teach
mischief.
you a number of mantras. You should recite it daily in
The goddess will bless you and she would
praise of Kali. Later the Goddess showed two gold pots to Raman
make you famous throughout this land. The coming and said, “One pot contains milk of wealth, the other
generations will remember you for your wit and glory. one milk of wisdom. You can choose any one of them,
 6
Tenali Raman Tenali Raman m
but only one.”Raman was hesitant. “Oh! Devi,old people “Oh! Goddess, please pardon me. I want to be both
say wealth is sour. What does it mean?” He doubted. rich and wise. One’s life becomes meaningful only if he
“The ways chosen by people to become rich are not achieves these two things”, Raman justified his action.
good,” Devi said. “If you drink the milk of wealth, you “You are clever”, said the Goddess. “But who told you
to drink both pots of milk ? As a punishment, I curse
you to become a jester”, Devi proclaimed. Raman begged
the Goddess not to curse him, “Oh! Goddess, I want to

become a good poet as well as a jester. There is also a

mistake on your part. You held the two pots of milk in

your hands simultaneously. That means, you too con-

sider both the pots of milk as equal”.

Kali Devi was in a fix. “ One day you will

become a good poet and a jester. But the coming
generations will remember you as a jester only”. After

blessing Raman, the Goddess disappeared. Raman

became excited and thanked Kali Devi.

3. PRIEST CHEATS RAMAN

After becoming a youth, Raman wished to please

Krishnadevarayar, the emperor of Vijayanagaram. He

wanted to be an inmate of the king’s durbar. ‘How can
will become rich. On the other hand, the milk of
I achieve this?’ he thought for a while.
wisdom makes you wise and intelligent”. Goddess
narrated its qualities. Raman used a trick. “How can I During this period, Raman got married and had a son.
choose one, without tasting both?” By saying this, Raman Still he wished to become an inmate of the palace.
drank and emptied the two pots of milk within seconds. Neither the family ties nor its burden bothered him.
 Tenali Raman
Tenali Raman ' 1

At that time, the durbar priest of Vij ay anagaram named

At last the day came for the priest to return. Tathachary
Tathachary came to the Devi temple at Mangalagiri near
shed crocodile tears and said, “I am grateful to your
Tenali. “How can I appease the priest ?” Raman thought.
sincere service. As soon as I reach there, I will send a
It is easy to become a member of the durbar if the priest
man to invite you to the palace. You just accompany him.
helped, as the king revered the priest very much.
I will manage the rest”. Raman sent the priest off, with
Raman approached Tathachary with this intention.
tears in his eyes. He was relieved from tension. ‘I am
But the priest was clever and cunning. ‘If Raman going to become an inmate of the palace soon’ he dreamt.
becomes a jester at the durbar, my fame and reputation But nobody came to him as promised by the priest. He
will end,’ swamy thought. Moreover Raman had shown felt desperate. His long wait for the job was in vain.
his poem titled “Lingapurana” to him.
Raman left for Vij ay anagaram along with his wife
The priest had other plans in his mind. ‘I can have all
and child. His aim was to seek a job in the palace. The
the works done by Raman, as long as I stay here. My old He reached the priest’s house
journey was very difficult.
age prevents me to do all the works by myself. Let him and informed the servant about his arrival. ‘I am Raman
stay with me at Mangalagiri. He can be fooled by offer- from Tenali. I want to see your master.’ The priest’s usher
ing a job in the palace’, Tathachary dreamed. Raman went inside and told about Raman’s arrival. But
was ready to do any work for swamy to become an Tathachary’s reply was not favourable. ‘I don’t know
inmate of the king’s durbar. So, he stayed with the priest any Raman from Tenali. I don’t want to see him’ When .

and helped him in his day to day affairs. During his stay the usher informed this to Raman, he became furious.

there, Raman had recited the poem ‘Lingapurna’ to the He rushed in to the priest’s house and said, ‘I am Raman
priest. The priest became jealous of Raman. What an from Tenali. It was I who served you at Mangalagiri.
excellent poem! It contains a great poet’s wisdom and Icame here to remind you of your promise’ Tathachary .

imagination. He congratulated Raman. ‘You are too good could not tolerate the action of Raman. The angry priest
to be an inmate of the palace. The king will definitely ordered his servant to beat and push Raman out of the
like you’. Tathachary praised Raman but with dubious house. Raman felt sad and dejected. ‘He is a cheat.
intention. Raman continued to serve the priest with I will teach him a lesson,’ Raman vowed to take revenge.
dedication.
 Tenali Raman

4. RAMAN EXCELS durbar agreed with his arguments. ‘What a philosopher

he is !
’
they hailed the scholar.
Eminent scholars from different parts of the coun-
The king looked around to see anybody to counter
try have assembled at the king’s durbar for the routine
the scholar. But no one came forward. The king felt
debate. Raman went directly to the durbar and sat among dejected. Suddenly he heard a voice and it was Raman
the audience. It was a discussion and debate on challenging the scholar. “Dear friends, the scholar said
‘illusion’. A scholar from North India said, ‘All we see here that was thought which gives us happiness and
it

sadness. At present it is noon and let the beloved king

give us sumptuous meal. We can all eat the food. The
scholar should not eat it. Let him think that he is eating.

Will this thought satisfy his hunger?” Raman challenged.

His arguments put the scholar in a fix. The king called

Raman to his side and congratulated. He gave Raman

prizes including gold coins.

5. RAMAN BECOMES JESTER

One day a magician from North India came to the

durbar. He displayed various magical tricks which

pleased the King Krishnadevarayar. The magician showed
an unusual item during the show. It was the magic of

separating his head from the body. ‘Can anyone in

Vijayanagaram do this magic?’ he challenged the inmates
of the durbar. But nobody dared do it. The king felt

on earth are mere illusions. Our happiness, well-being, dejected.

sadness are all illusions. It is only the thoughts which
Raman came forward. He bowed before the King and
make us happy or sad’. Everybody assembled at the
the audience and went to the magician. ‘Can you do the
'
*
Tenali Raman Tenali Raman 1—Li

trick with open eyes, which I perform by closing my Tathachary had a routine bath daily at 4 a.m.
eyes?’ Raman challenged the magician. The magician He bathed at Tungabhadra river, near the palace. He usu-
did not feel anything unusual in Raman’s offer. ‘I can ally undressed his robes before bathing. The tantrik rules
do any open eyes, which Raman does with
trick with strictly prohibit naked bathing by a king’s priest.

closed eyes’, the magician consoled himself and accepted

the challenge. Raman brought a bag full of chilli pow-
der. By closing his eyes, he sprinkled the powder on to
it. He stood still for some time. After that he removed

the entire powder and opened his eyes. Later Raman

brought another bag full of chilli powder and handed it

over to the magician. He asked the magician to do the

trick with open eyes. The magician
tried to escape from
the scene. The people assembled there ridiculed him.
The dejected wizard ended his programmes and returned
home. The king became excited. It was Tenali Raman’s
wisdom and intelligence that paid. The king appointed
Raman as his court jester. The public who assembled
there congratulated Raman. The court priest Tathachary,
who was also present there hailed Raman, but he was
jealous.

6. TAKE VENGEANCE ON
TATHACHARY
Tenali Raman thus became the court jester or
Krishnadevarayar. He built a house for his family. He
almost settled his family matters. He was seeking a Tathachary who knew all the rules did not obey any of
chance to teach Tathachary a lesson. At last, Raman them. ‘I will do as I like. Nobody is to question me’,

found a way to take vengeance on the priest. was his attitude.

[14
Tenali Raman

One day, Raman followed Tathachary to the bathing 7. TIT FOR TAT
ghat without the latter’s knowledge. Tathachary in his
usual way undressed his robes on the bank of the river.
The king was wandering on the portico of the

Raman went there quietly, took it and hid the dress at

palace.He saw a strange scene. The revered priest was
carrying Raman on his shoulders, like a donkey. Raman
another place. After bathing, Tathachary, came in search
of his dress, but could not find it.
was booing. The people assembled on either side of the

road laughed at the unusual scene. The king was unable

He saw Raman there. Raman remained unmoved and
to tolerate this. “A respected priest like Tathachary
stood unfamiliar to the court priest. His mind moved cannot be treated like this”. The king called two of his
back. ‘It was the same priest who discarded me when I
soldiers man carrying another on
and ordered, “See a
approached him at Vijayanagaram, where as, I had nursed his shoulders, you bring down the man on top and beat
him at Mangalagiri’, Raman thought. Tathachary knew, him, and bring the other man here.’
it was Raman who had taken away his dress. ‘Hey
Raman saw the king’s gestures to the soldiers. He
Raman, kindly, give me the dress’, the priest begged.
felt something wrong in He saw the soldiers coming
it.
Tathachary had to remain naked under the water all the
from a distance. Suddenly Raman got down from
time. Raman narrated the painful experience faced by
Tathachary’s shoulders and touched his feet as a mark
him when he earlier approached Tathachary.
of respect. You have carried me on your shoulders till

‘Please forgive me and return my dress’, Tathachari now. Sorry, I will carry you similarly as a part of my
pleaded before Raman. ‘Okay, I will give back the dress regret’, Raman said.

on one condition. You should carry me on your

The foolish priest felt proud and agreed at once and
shoulders to the palace,’ Raman put forward his condi-
climbed on Raman’s shoulders. Raman started walking.
tion. ‘This is a mark of repentance for your sinful deeds’,
The two soldiers who reached the scene brought down
he added. Tathachary agreed the condition and Raman the priest, and beat him. Tathachary could not
returned the dress to him. The priest began to walk along
understand what was happening. The priest remembered
the crowded streets, carrying Raman on his shoulders.
the scene in which his servants beating Raman, when
The people laughed at the priest.
the latter visited his house.
 8.
Tenali Raman

KING ORDERS EXECUTION They followed Raman and prepared a plan. For this they
brought a goat.
Th e soldiers brought Raman before the king instead
The two followed Raman to the jungle where the ex-
of Tathachary. The soldiers didn’t know the trick played
ecution was to be performed. The goat was also with
by Raman. The king couldn’t tolerate the arrogance of
them. They arranged the soldiers to kill the goat and
Raman. “He is a devil. I had ordered to beat Raman and
show the blood stained sword to the army chief. The
bring the priest”, king said. It was the reverse that had
happened.
soldiers who earlier refused to obey, later accepted ij.

They also asked Raman not to remain in the native land.

The soldiers replied “We have done as per your
Raman gave them 10 gold coins each and left the place.
order. When we reached the spot, we saw Raman carry- The soldiers returned to the palace and showed the blood
ing the priest on his shoulders, so we brought Raman 10.
stained sword to the army chief. Everybody thought that
here. We haven’t done any harm to him.” Raman was
Raman was executed. Some of them felt sad. But
listening like 9.
a spectator.
Tathachary was happy for getting rid of his enemy.
The furious king said, “Raman has insulted a priest
who is revered by whole citizens. This has, in effect,
insulted me also. Take away this devil, and behead him.
FAMILY PENSION
After that show the blood-stained sword to the army
chief’, the king could not control himself. Raman didn’t Raman, who escaped from the death sentence went
utter a word. The soldiers took away Raman outside. directly to his home. He asked his mother and wife to

plead before the King. They reached the palace and

began to lament before the king. ‘Oh lord you had killed
RAMAN ESCAPES Raman. He was the only earning
!

member of our house.

The death sentence pronounced on Raman was heard I am a widow and who me henceforth.
will look after

How can I live ?’ Raman’s mother Lakshmamma cried

by two close aides of the King. The two had animosity
with the priest. They had also witnessed the beating of before the King.

Raman at Tathachary’s residence earlier. Both had the ‘Oh lord! How cruel you are! I have also become a
intention of saving Raman from the capital punishment. widow now. How will I look after my son?, Raman’s
 Tenali Raman Tenali Raman 1
a I

wife Mangamma also cried before the king. After hear- body and sat on the banyan tree. He looked like a ghost.
ing the two, the king felt sad. His heart filled with compa- The priests began to chant mantras under the tree to
ssion. He consoled the two ladies. The king ordered to invoke the spirit. Soon Raman jumped on them, the
give 100 gold sovereigns each to them. Krishnadevarayar priests were bewildered and cried. They thought it was
also issued orders to grant 20 sovereigns as monthly a ghost. They ran for shelter and returned to the palace.
pension to the family. Lakshmamma and Mangamma
returned home and handed over the gold coins to Raman.
Raman burst into laughter. ‘The amount paid as bribe to
soldiers to escape from the death sentence has now been

regained’. The mother and wife also joined Raman in

laughter.

11. SOUL OF A BRAHMIN

Killing Brahmin is a great sin. A great repentance
is needed to compensate the sin. This was the belief that
prevailed since long ago. TenaliRaman was a Brahmin.
The king had killed Raman. This cruel act will have nega-
tive impact on the entire country. Such a divine voice
was heard by the queens of the palace. They informed
it to king Krishnadevarayar. He convened a meeting of At dawn, they informed the king about the previous
the priests and decided to bury the soul of Raman. day’s experience. The news spread throughout the entire

During a moonless night, the head priest and 108 empire. The fear of ghost weakened the mobility of the

assistant priests set out from the palace to the nearby people. The king became worried. At last he found a
temple. was midnight. They had planned solution.
It to bury
Raman’s soul under a banyan tree adjacent to the temple. He announced, “We had to exorcise the ghost. Anyone
Raman knew this secret. He painted black oil on his who do this will be rewarded with 1000 gold sovereigns.”
 Tenali Raman Tenali Raman I I

The messengers announced the king’s proclamation ‘As a result of my obsequies, things will proceed as if

throughout the country. Raman who returned home also the Brahmin was not killed at all.’ ‘In that case can you
heard this news. He felt happy as his plans proved revive Tenali Raman’?, the king doubted.
fruitful.

12. RAMAN REACHES

PALACE AGAIN
The bad news of Brahmin’s ghost spread all over
the Vijayanagaram empire. Naturally people were in fear.
Even two days after the proclamation, there was no
response from the public. On the third day, the king was
sitting gloomy in the durbar. Tathachary also sat beside
the king. A soldier came before the king and announced
The king ordered to bring the sage
the arrival of a sage.
in. The sage came He wore a saffron dress. He had
.

long hair and beard. The long matted hair extended up

to his navel. He wore a beads roll around the neck.
Altogether the king liked the sage. ‘I am ready to evict
the Brahmin’s soul. Are you ready to reward with any-
thing I demand?’ the monk asked. ‘I am ready. But don’t
ask things which would, affect the reputation or well-
being of the nation’, the king clarified.

The sage agreed the condition. The king had other

ideas in mind. ‘
Along the eviction of Brahmin’s soul, is ‘If Tenali Raman resurrect, he will become regular
it possible to absolve from the sin of killing Tenali nuisance for you, so it is better to perform obsequies for
Raman?’ the king asked the sanyasi. The monk replied. the killing. Do not revive him’, court priest Tathachary
 22
1
Tenali Raman

known that Raman was a threat

well
told the king. It is
13. ANOTHER DEATH SENTENCE
to Tathachary. ‘As per rule, how can the order of a king

to kill the law-breaker become a sin ?’ the monk said.

The fame and goodwill of Vijayanagaram empire
Even if it is for maintaining law, act of Killing is a Kill-
made many people jealous. There were attempts to
ing and it is sinful. We must bury the soul of Raman’, the kill
the King Krishnadevarayar. Once, a spy from Nalgonda
court priest said. ‘The harassment of the ghost is at the
came to Vijayanagaram. His mission was to assassinate
temple, which is seven furlong away from here. You have Krishnadevarayar. The spy, somehow stayed at Tenali
to go there. We will make all necessary arrangements Raman’s house. The king didn’t know about it.
for the pooja tomorrow’, Tathachary added.
The spy, in the absence of Raman, sent a messenger
But the monk had other ideas. He said, ‘All the rites to the king. It was an Raman’s house.
invitation to visit

can be done here itself now.’ He saw fear gripping on The king thought that was Raman who had sent the
it

the face of Tathachary.’ Even if Tenali Raman is alive,

messenger to him. There may be some serious matter
otherwise, a jester won’t invite the king to his house. As
it won’t cause any harm, as he became a ghost due to
soon as the king entered Raman’s house, the spy dashed
unnatural death’, the sage consoled Tathachary
forward with a dagger to kill him. The timely interven-
‘The sin of killing a Brahmin also has to be expi- tion of fellow people saved the king from danger.

ated’, the king suggested.

The crime committed by Raman in providing shelter to
‘Oh ! lordjl am doing both the rites together. Don’t a spy with the intention to kill the king, was severe
worry’, saying this the ascetic removed his beard and Raman admitted the crime. It was the mon-
During the trial,
ster Appaji who sentenced Raman with death penalty.
matted hair. The king became excited. Tathachary moved
People became upset over the verdict. They protested.
back with fear. ‘I am the Brahmin, killed by you’, he
Then the minister gave Raman a small favour. Raman
(old loudly. It was really Tenali Raman. Thus Raman
was allowed to choose the mode of his death. Raman
appeared alive at the court durbar. All of them believed
said ‘I feel sorry for sentencing me death penalty. The
that Raman was dead. The king asked Raman ‘What do crime was done without my knowledge or consent.
you want from me?’ ‘A thousand gold sovereigns and Anyway am thankful to the minister for allowing
I me
release from death sentence’, Raman replied, at once. to choose the mode of my death. As per the ministers
The king accepted the demands and acted accordingly. order, I am declaring the mode of death. I prefer old age
 Tenali Raman
15. RAMAN ESCAPES
death’ The people were excited over the comment. They
!
ANOTHER ATTEMPT
hailed Raman. Thus, he escaped from the death-trap
once more. The death of the monk had its consequence. The
mental patient was arrested for killing the monk. He was
acquitted on the grounds of mental insanity. But the trial

14. FAKE MONK ASSASSINATED of the case continued.

The trial proved that Tenali Raman was guilty. So

There was a fake Vijayanagaram who
monk at
Raman was ordered to be executed by the king. The mode
indulged in several crimes including murders. He was
of killing, ordered by the king was strange. Raman was
very clever and eloquent. He looked smart and well
tobe brought to an isolated area and his body was to be
dressed. He also behaved politely. But in true life, he
covered with earth up to the neck. Later, he was to be
was cruel and wicked. His mode of operation was
strange. If there was animosity between two people, he
trampled to death by an elephant.
would favour the rich man among them and collect The soldiers began to execute the king’s order. Raman
money from him. He will promise to destroy the enemy. was brought to the spot where a pit was dug for the pur-
Then he will reach the enemy’s house and stay there pose and kept him in it with neck deep in mud. The
pretending as a monk. When the time comes he will went
soldiers then to bring, the elephant. At that time, a
poison the host’s food. The enemy will either die or
dhobi came that way. He was
a hunch back. Raman
become a mental patient. This was the queer mode of
He laughed at the dhobi.
noticed the hunch on the dhobi.
operation of the monk. He had cheated several people
The washerman looked at Raman, who was covered up
like this. But Tenali Raman identified the true colour of
to his neck by mud.
the ‘sanyasi’.

monk on his way. At that ‘Why are you standing in the pit covered with earth?’
. One day, Raman met the
The dhobi asked Raman. ‘I am a hunch back. I am stand-
time, a man cheated by the monk also came near them.
ing like this to remove the bent on my back’, Raman
The man had become a mental patient due to the mis-
told. ‘If I too stand like this, will my hunch also
deeds of the monk. Raman caught hold of the mental
patient and introduced him to the monk. The fake vanish?’ the dhobi asked. ‘Definitely. If you have any

‘sanyasi’ looked seriously at the mental patient. He soon doubt, remove the earth and look,’ Raman said. The
became a violent person and killed the monk. Raman dhobi removed the earth covered on Raman. He didn’t
was excited. ‘A fake is dead’, he consoled himself. The see any hunch on Raman. The dhobi was unaware of the
mental patient walked away after a ‘successful mission’.
 Ten all Raman Tenali Raman 1 27 J

good health of Raman. He thought that Raman had a Raman, demanding the money. But, Raman had no
hunch on his back, before covering his
body with mud. money with him. He had other loans to be paid.
The dhobi had trust in the wofds of Raman. He stood in
‘I have no money at present. It will be paid later’,
the pit and covered his body upto neck with earth. Raman
returned home. In the meantime the elephant came and
Raman told the messenger. After he left, Raman laid at
the bed like a dead man. The body was covered with
trampled the dhobi to death. •

white clothes, from top to bottom. His mother and wife

sat near the ‘body’ crying aloud. The neighbors who
16. PENSION TO DHOBI’S WIFE heard the cries assembled at Raman’s house. They saw
Raman lying dead. The king also reached there to pay
The king was very much dejected. He thought that
homages. The king consoled Raman’s mother and wife
Raman was was he who ordered to kill Raman
dead. It

for assassinating a monk. The king was distressed after

How did Raman die instantly?’ he asked.

knowing that the dead monk was a criminal. ‘My son had no disease at all. He had owed 100 gold
Although it was Raman who was responsible for the sovereigns to the palace. A messenger had come here
murder, the act saved several innocent people. The king demanding
today, the money. Instantly Raman laid in
began to cry and tears flowed from his eyes. He
bed. didn’t wake up since then. He asked me to

Raman, who knew about it appeared before the king. pay the money. This was the last wish uttered by my
He narrated how he escaped from the death sentence. son’, Raman’s mother told the king.
The king compassionate to the dhobi’s family. He
felt
The king called his manager immediately “Write off
ordered to pay pension to dhobi’s wife. She also got
all debts owed by Raman. His mother should not feel
married to a man without hunch, after an year.
sad regarding this”, the king ordered.

As soon as the king declared the order, Raman woke

17. REBIRTH TO RAMAN up from the bed by removing the white clothes. The king
was shocked. He moved a little backward. ‘Oh lord!
Raman once borrowed 00 gold coins from the King
1

Don’t be frightened. I was resurrected from death hear-

Krishnadevarayar. But he couldn’t repay it even after
long time. The King’s manager sent a messenger to
ing your generosity,’ Raman laughed and bowed before
the king.
L±2J Tenali Raman Tenali Raman K” I

‘You have resurrected when the debt amount was writ- Raman brought the horse by pulling and pushing. The
ten off. Then how did you die?’ the king queried. ‘I died king looked at what Raman was doing with the horse.

due to the burden of the debt. When you removed the When the horse reached at the centre of the bridge,

burden, life returned to me’, Raman burst into laughter.

The king also laughed. He raised the salary of Raman.
Consequently, Raman did not borrow any money as loan.

18. REWARD FOR INSULT

The King Krishnadevarayar bought a horse. It was
a highly trained animal. The horse showed various
actions which surprised the soldiers. People began to
praise the horse.

One day, the king was doing exercises sitting on the

horse. The venue was a bridge on top of the
Thungabhadra river. Raman came near and looked at

the exercises. He told the king, ‘Your horse is good. But

can you do all the exercises done by my horse, with your
horse?’

‘Yes, certainly. Bring your horse, let us see’, the king

replied. He did not like Raman for insulting his horse. Raman pushed it into the river. It sWimmed in the river
Raman brought a horse soon. It was a weak animal. for some time to safety, but, succumbed to injuries at

The horse, only with bones and skin looked like an last.The poor state of health prevented the horse to
animal affected by famine. If anybody climbed on its escape. The king got angry seeing this. ‘Raman, what
back, the animal would fall down. Such was the pitiable have you done ? You killed the horse by pushing it into
condition of the horse. the river’.
 Tenali Raman Tenali Raman

‘Yes lord, I did it for saving your horse. Your horse ‘My horse is hungry. It wants four meat cutlets’,
cannot do such kind of an exercise’, Raman replied. The Raman told the shop keeper. But people wondered. ‘Will
the horse eat meat cutlet?’ want to see the horse’ one
king criticised Raman for the death of the horse. But ‘I ,

Raman’s justification was strange ‘Lord, loss of a

man said and walked outside the shop to see the horse.
Everybody followed the man. They all began to look at
useless friend is not a loss. Sometimes it may yield gain’
the strange horse. Raman in the meantime sat near the
The king accepted Raman’s argument. He also gave
stove and dried his dresses.
The shivering and coldness
Raman a bag full of money.
of the body also disappeared. The rain also receded.
Raman bought cutlet and went outside. He showed
cutlet to the horse. But the horse did not pay any atten-

19. MEAT EATING HORSE Raman gave the cutlets to a dog standing nearby.
tion.

He rode on the horse. The people curiously looked at

Horse is a vegetarian. But sometimes it has to be Raman and not at the horse.
turned into a non- vegetarian also when it matters. Here
is the story of how Raman turned his horse to a non-
vegetarian. 20. HUMAN SACRIFICE
It was an evening on a rainy day. Raman did not
He
Human sacrifice was common in ancient India. Even
expect rain on that day. set out riding the horse.
today also, there are reports of human sacrifice made by
After some time, He did not return, but
it began to rain.
savage people. Human sacrifice was banned at the
continued his journey. Rain continued unabated. Raman
Vijayanagaram empire during Krishnadevarayar’s rule.
travelled further. He was drenched in water. What can be done, if human sacrifice is the only
When he started shivering, Raman entered a near by solution to set things right?

shop. The horse was kept in front of the shop. Meat

Raman found a way to perform human sacrifice.
cutlet was selling at the shop. He was shivering with
Abridge, constructed across the river Thungabhadra by
cold. Some kind of heat will cease the shivering. But the king, washed away even before its construction was
people seemed surrounding the stove. Raman was in a over. Superstition among the public was that the destruc-
fix. tion of bridge was caused due to the anger of a ghost.
I
32 Tenali Raman

‘The ghost did not like the bridge. To appease the

ghost, a human sacrifice is a must’ the people said. ‘If it
,
21. RAMAN’S DONATION
is not made the bridge will collapse before its comple-
‘We must donate a portion of our wealth to the poor.
tion’, a monk opinioned. He was a cruel and a saddist monk.
By God’s grace you are provided with houses and
The king was in a dilemma. He wanted the bridge to be possible to donate a portion of your
properties. Is it

built across the river Thungabhadra The bridge has to .

assets to the poor?’, the King Krishnadevarayar

be strong and durable.

The king consulted Raman, ‘A human sacrifice is

necessary for a durable bridge’, Raman said. His reply

doubled the king’s grief. T am not willing to erect a
bridge by sacrificing innocent people. It is unwise to
please the ghost like this,’ the king declared.

But Raman has other ideas. He advised ‘the bridge

has to be built. It is necessary for the nation’s progress.
The ghost can be pleased by performing human sacri-

fice. There are ways for it’.

‘What are the ways?’, the king was eager to know

about it. ‘There are number of criminals in the country
who were sentenced to death. Their lives should be sac-
rificed for public welfare. Now onwards, execute their
sentences at the site of the bridges to be built. Your high-
ness should issue necessary orders in this regard. The
problem can be solved in this manner’, Raman clarified.
‘Your remark is very correct. I will make arrange-
The king showed a sign of relief. He was excited. He ments for donating a house tomorrow’, Raman replied.
rewarded Raman by presenting 1000 gold sovereigns.
The king was glad. Raman returned home. He was
The king was always generous to Raman. That made
reluctant to part with anything that came to his possession.
the court jester a rich man.
He hanged a board in one of his houses notifying this.
 Tenali Raman 35
1°^ I Tenali Raman

‘The house is to be donated. Anyone who is satisfied Once theKing Krishnadevarayar exhibited 10 pups
himself with his assets is eligible for this house’. in the durbar hall. The bend of its tail has to be straight-
ened. He offered 100 gold sovereigns to those who
Many read the board. But nobody came forward to
straightened the tail of the pups. The king was of the
accept the house. At that time a Brahmin came there.
‘Swamy, Please do me a favour by donating this house to
me’, he told Raman. ‘Don’t you have a house?’, Raman
asked the Brahmin. ‘Yes, 1 have. But it is small and old’

‘Have you read the board in front of the house? The

house is to be donated to those who are satisfied them-
selves with their assets. You seem to be dissatisfied with
yourself’, Raman said.

The Brahmin became silent. He had no answer. He

thought for a second, ‘If I say I am dissatisfied, Raman
won’t donate me the house’. The Brahmin replied, ‘I

am satisfied with what I have’. Raman said ‘You are

satisfied with yourself, isn’t it ? ‘Yes’, the Brahmin
answered. ‘Then why did you come in search of my
house?’, Raman doubted. The Brahmin was ashamed.
He returned empty handed. Later nobody came in search
of Raman’s house.

belief that its tail could never be straightened. He al-

22. LENGTH OF DOG’S TAIL lowed three months to those who take the pups to

It is difficult change one’s behaviour.lt is a

to straighten their tails. Many took the pups home. They
common saying that ‘The bend of dog’s tail won’t were confident of achieving success in this regard.

straighten, even if it is put in a tube for thousand years’.

The people who brought the pups began to perform
But Raman had straightened the dog’s tail once. The story
tricks in its tail. One man tied a stone in its tail to get rid
is like this.
 36
I
Tenali Raman

of its bend. The poor pup walked with weight in its tail.
23. RAMAN AND THE PRIESTS
Another man put a metal tube around its tail. The third
Raman’s dog died. It was due to starvation that the
person called a masseur to massage the pup’s tail. The
dog had The court priests used this situation to
died.
fourth person bought costly medicines produced by a
trap Raman. They propagated that Raman’s action of
doctor and applied to the dog. The fifth person chanted
putting the pup to starvation was deliberate. The dog’s
‘mantras’ and performed ‘poojas’ with the help of
soul is wandering, they alleged.
sorcerer to straighten the tail. The sixth man thought if

the pup becomes fat, its tail will straighten. So he gave Fear gripped among the people about the dog’s ghost.
the pup milk, butter, ghee and other nutritious food. The priest Raman to bury the dog’s ghost. They
asked
conspired to grab money from Raman in the name of
These people suffered a lot to fulfill the challenge poojas. But Raman came to know about the dubious
posed by the king. Raman came to know about all these plans of the priests. ‘You do the poojas and bury the
from various people. He did not spend a single paise for dog’s ghost. I am going to sell my horse. It is a good
this mission. He simply tied his pup and provided only horse. I will give you the money by selling the horse’,
food for its survival. His pup began to weaken day by Raman promised the priests.
day.
The priests were happy. They thought the horse will
At last the day came for the return of the pups to the yield at least 100 gold coins. They believed that their
durbar. All of them produced the pups before the king. plans are going to succeed. ‘Poor Raman, he fell in our
The tails of the nine pups remained as usual. Their bend trap’, one priest said. ‘Raman received 100 gold coins
couldn’t be straightened. Then it was the turn of Raman from the king, by way of putting the dog to starvation
to produce his pup. Its tail was not bent. The pup was death. We are going to get that money’, another priest
unable to move its tail or stand erect. laughed.

The king inspected the ten pups. He saw the tail of The priests did some poojas the other day to
Raman’s pup standing straight. He gave the promised convince Raman and the locals. They approached Raman
100 gold sovereigns Raman. Everybody hailed
to for remuneration for further poojas. Raman in the mean-

Raman’s wisdom. The continuous starvation made the time had advertised the sale of his horse. ‘
A horse is for
pup’s tail to remain straight. Similarly constant famine sale. It costs only a copper coin. Those who want to buy
can change a man’s behaviour, according to Raman. the horse has to buy a dustbin also. Then only the horse
 38
Tenali Raman Tenali Raman
will be given. The dustbin costs 100 gold coins’. This
Raman did not use the money for providing food to
was the advertisement appeared for the sale of the horse.
the horse. Instead he spent the money for food to his
The sale was effected at the time of priests’ arrival for
people. The price of provisions in the country was high,
the remuneration of poojas.
as lion’s share was allocated to national security. So
Raman gave themoney received from the sale of the Raman did not spend even a copper coin for food to the
horse, a single copper coin. He got the dustbin’s cost of horse. He gave handful of dried grass daily to the horse
100 gold coins. Raman taught a lesson to the greedy and
jealous priests. They did not receive the actual price of
the horse; whereas the dustbin yielded 100 coins. Thus
Raman ridiculed the priests and managed to get full
amount for his horse.

24. MOUSTACHE EATING HORSE

The Mughal emperors were planning to attack
Vijayanagaram. King Krishnadevarayar knew about the
mobilisation of forces on the borders. He also made
arrangements for national security. The strength of
cavalry was also increased.

The king bought some ponies. He handed over them

to his trusted locals to bring up. He had also arranged to
provide 15 silver coins per month towards the feeding
expenses of the horses. Raman, who knew about this,
reached the palace and brought a horse. Raman was in
dire need of money at that time. He tied the pony to an
adjacent room in his house. He sealed the entrance in for its survival. Months have passed. The king ordered
that room. The fodder was given to the horse through a to present all the horses at the durbar. Everybody
hole dug on the wall.
except Raman presented the horse at the palace.
[40 Raman
Tenali

Raman informed the king that it was not so easy to 25. RAMAN TRESPASSES
bring his horse to the palace. Then the king directed his
Muslim General, in charge of cavalry, to bring the pony. An art festival was going on at the king’s durbar. A
The bearded Muslim General was capable of bringing dance troupe from Kuchipudi has arrived there. The king
any troublesome horse. He reached Raman’s house. deliberately concealed the news of arts programme from
Raman showed the horse’s room to the General. He Raman. He feared that Raman quay make trouble during
peeped through the hole in the wall. It was the time of the dance programme. He also directed the soldiers and
giving dried grass to the horse. The hunger- stricken pony ushers to prevent Raman.
thought it was dried grass and began to pull the beard
and moustache of the General. He
The dance started. The King, Queen, Ministers
tried his best to free
and Military Chiefs were all enjoying the programme.
from the clutches of the horse. The General cried for help.
Raman wished to enter the durbar. ‘Swami, the majesty
The people who assembled there cut his beard with a has directed us not -to inform you about the dance
knife and saved him from the grip of the horse. The General
programme. If it is leaked, we will be beheaded by the
presented the pony at the durbar. For that he has to
king’, one of the soldiers told Raman. ‘The king has
demolish the wall of the room. ‘Why did you keep the
directed not to inform me about the programme, isn’t it?
pony to starvation’, the king asked Raman. ‘I used to
Not ordered to deny my entry into the palace’. Saying
give handful of dried grass to the horse daily. By giving
this Raman began to trespass the durbar. Then two sol-
such meagre fodder to the horse, it has done severe harm.
diers stopped him and insisted on him not to enter the
If it was given sumptuous food, what would have been
palace.
the impact’. Raman joked. The king believed that it was
the horse which demolished the wall. Raman called one of the soldiers and told secretely.
‘The king will reward me suitably if I reach inside.
The king did not like Raman’s reply. Yet he contin-
I will give you half of that reward.’ The soldier became
ued. ‘People in the country are starving. But the horse is
happy. Raman told the other soldier similarly. He too
to be given sumptuous food!’. Raman’s reply made the king
became happy. Thus Raman entered the durbar with the
sensible. The king ordered to cut short the defence
help of those two soldiers.
expenditure and allowed it to be utilised for social
welfare. He rewarded Raman with 15 gold coins for The king became furious by seeing Raman. Yet, he

pointing out the failure in his rule. continued to watch the programme. It was not a good
 Tenali Raman Tenali Raman

entertainment. The king thought how end the to The soldiers came to carry out the punishment. Two
programme. The play was about Lord Krishna. It was a soldiers stood on both sides of Raman. ‘Oh lord, your

scene where little Krishna was stealing the dress unrobed reward for my entry inside the palace, is also entitled to

by the cowherdess. Seeing this, Raman entered the stage the two soldiers. I had promised to give half of my re-

and beat the hero, who began to cry loudly. Soon the ward to them. The soldiers allowed me to enter the durbar
programme came to an end as someone unfurled the only after promising the prize. Thus, 24 blows that you

curtain. promised should be equally divided to the two ushers’,

Raman pleaded the king.

The king became furious with the soldiers for defy-

26. SHARING THE REWARD ing his orders. He wanted to give severe punishment to

the greedy and corrupt soldiers. He ordered to execute

The Kuchipudi troupe returned from Vijayanagaram. 50 blows each to the two soldiers. He rewarded Raman
was Raman who packed up the troupe. The king called
It with money for finding the corrupt officials.
Raman and questioned. Raman remained unmoved.
I beat those who lied’ .

‘He was playing Krishna stories’, isn’t it?’, the king 27. A STRANGE CAT
asked. ‘If so, I had committed a sin. You penalise me.
I will dictate the punishment. Beat me 24 times after
Once Vijayanagaram was gripped with rat menace.
The increase of rat population definitely brings famine
tying to a pillar,’ Raman requested.
and food shortage. To destroy the rat menace, the
‘Beating 24 times! What are you asking?’ the king authorities decided to bring up cats. The king brought
asked with surprise. The programme of Kuchipudi troupe one thousand cats for this purpose. He gave a cat each
was not so good. ‘It was Raman’s blow which ended to a family. Money was also given to provide milk to the
their programme. For that I am not going to punish you.
cats.
Instead you are to be rewarded’ he added. ‘As reward or
punishment I want 24 blows only’, Raman insisted. Raman also brought one cat and reached home.
‘Why do you demand 24 blows?’, the king became According to him, cat can survive even without milk.

curious. ‘I will tell you that later. Please promise 24 ‘Even human beings grow here without milk. We can

blows !’ Raman’s demand was accepted by the king. give milk to our son using the money provided by the
44 Raman 45
Tenali Tenali Raman

king’, Raman told his wife. ‘But cat will steal the milk there any cat in this country which does not drink milk ?

and drink’, his wife doubted. Raman consoled his wife, You are lying. I will give you 100 gold coins, if it is

‘I have found a way to stop it’. proved that your cat does not drink milk. On the other

hand, if your cat drinks milk, you will be whipped 100

Raman brought the kitten to his home. But he didn’t
give even a drop of milk to it. He boiled the milk well.
times ! Are you ready?’, the king. challenged. Raman
agreed.
A plate of hot milk was placed before of the kitten. The
cat didn’t touch it. It was afraid of the steam from the
hot milk. Raman forcibly dipped the cat’s lips in the hot
milk. Its lip got burned.

was a turning point. Henceforth Raman’s cat never

It

drank milk. The kitten began to hide when it saw milk.

Thus Raman made his cat a milk hating animal. He gave
the milk to his son. A fortnight elapsed. The king or-
dered to present all the kittens at the durbar.
Everybody exhibited the They all have become
cats.

healthy by drinking milk. But Raman’s cat alone

remained lean.

‘Yeh Raman, what happened to your kitten? Are

you not giving milk to it?’ the king asked. ‘Oh lord,

when even a drops of milk is not available for human

beings to drink, who bothers to feed the cat with milk ?’
Raman countered. But the king was furious. So you
had misappropriated the fund given by me to feed the

kitten.

‘I haven’t misused the fund. I have bought milk

using the fund. Since my cat did not drink milk, I gave it
to my son’, Raman told. But the king did not give up. ‘Is
 Tenali Raman Tenali Raman
A soldier brought a plate of milk and placed before ‘Oh lord! our dearest cow has died. In order to com-
the cat. Soon it ran away. It didn’t even smell the milk. pensate our sorrows, we are eating sand! Both of them
Thus Raman won the competition. He was presented with continued eating sugar. The king was very much moved
100 gold coins. Later Raman told the king, how he trained by Raman’s words. He ordered to collect rest of sugar
it not to drink milk. The king laughed along with Raman. and keep it safely. Henceforth the king never tried to
The king praised Raman for his wisdom. fool Raman.

28. EATING SAND 29. CAPITAL PUNISHMENT AGAIN

The king used to prepare special type of sugar Once King Krishnadevarayar built a new
the

crystal for himself. After preparation, the sugar will be palace. He called a good artist and prepared wall paint-

dried and preserved. Once Raman saw this process at ings. The king and Raman started looking at the

the palace. He asked the king ‘What is it?’ ‘It is sand’,

the king tried to fool Raman. But he was doubtful. ‘It is

a special sand’, the king clarified.

Raman did not utter anything. The king thought that

Raman had believed everything he said. The king went
to his room and told the queens about the incident. The
queens joined the king in laughter. They all believed that
the king had befooled Raman.

Raman went to his home. He returned with his

son. They began to eat the sugar kept for drying. When
the king returned from haram, he saw Raman and his

son eating the sugar. ‘What are you doing?, the king
asked.
 Tenali Raman 1

^
1

Tenali Raman
pictures. But he was disappointed. The beautiful walls
paintings. There was beautiful scenery in it. The
of the building looked dirty by painting. It was a heart-
palace was also adorned with princess’s portraits.
breaking scene for the king. He has to live in that palace
Raman was attracted by a beautiful woman’s portrait. along with guests the day after. What is this?’ the king
‘

It was the rear view of a woman in a sitting pose. Her became furious.
shapely figure, long and curly hair attracted everyone.
‘I have painted the pictures of beautiful queen’s leg,
But there was a serious lapse in it. The face of that beau- hands etc. You must have imaginative ability to see them
tiful woman was not drawn by the artist.
in full’, Raman joked. Raman thought the king will laugh
‘Where is the front view of this woman?’ Raman on hearing the answer. But the King burst with fury and
doubted. ‘The picture has face for the woman. We must ordered ‘Take him away and behead.’
see it by our imaginative ability. Do you have any sense
of beauty?’, the king ridiculed Raman . ‘I used to draw
pictures, when I studied at hermitage. Now I am going 30 . FIGHT BETWEEN EXECUTIONERS
to learn drawing for one month’, Raman said. ‘It is a
good thing’, king answered. Raman did not come to the A s soon as the king ordered the execution of Raman,
palace for one month. After a month he came to the
two soldiers came forward with sword to carry out the

palace. I have come here after studying drawing and

order. They set out to the forest. Raman walked bet ween
painting’, Raman said.
the two soldiers. The soldiers had a grudge towards
Raman. So they had no hesjtation in killing him. On the
‘It is good. As you know, we have a newly built sum-
other hand, Raman also planned to cheat the soldiers.
mer palace. There are no pictures and paintings there.
You may draw Their journey was through the bank of the river
a picture there’, the king ordered. Raman
nodded and went Thungabhadra On the way Raman said ‘I want to pray
.

to the summer palace. He began to

draw and paint pictures. But
for a moment immersing in this river’. But one of the
his paintings were strange.
soldiers was doubtful. ‘If you disappear after immers-
Parts of our body like eyes, legs and teeth were drawn
here and there.
ing in river, what should we tell the king?’ he said.

‘I won’t cause any harm to you from the king. I am

After a week, Raman informed the king that he has
pi epared to die. After I immersed in river, you two stand
completed his work. The king went to see the
 Tenali Raman Tenali Raman

on my sides to prevent me from fleeing. If I try to Raman planned to get an assurance from the king not
escape in the midst of praying, you cut with swords to order to execute him again. He planned a detailed
aiming my neck. You can thus evade king’s punishment’, programme to achieve it. The king had a soft comer
Raman told the soldiers. towards women. He was interested in sexual affairs with

Raman stood in water with closed eyes. The them. The priest Tathachary also had similar habits.
soldiers
were beside him with raised swords. They all stood there Raman utilised their weakness. He knew both were fond
for some time. Suddenly Raman swimmed into under- of women.
water. The soldiers cut their swords from both sides si- He called upon Tathachary and tempted him to
multaneously. The heads of soldiers fell in the river. Their woman. ‘I have a beautiful woman in my custody. You
bodies were washed away in water. my house. Come to my home
can enjoy with her in
Raman who came from underwater saw the dead today at 10 p.m.’ Tathachary agreed . Later Raman
bodies of the soldiers. He reached the durbar to see the approached the King Krishnadevarayar. ‘Oh Lord, There
is a beautiful woman in my home. You can
king. The king was frightened. ‘You have escaped’, he enjoy with
said. Human beings got more value than walls.
‘Oh Lord! her there. Please visit my home today at 10.15.p.m.’

Your anger has resulted in the loss of two lives’. Raman The king also agreed to reach Raman’s house on time.

what has happened

told the king in the execution bid. It Raman
Tathachary reached Raman’s house at 10 p.m.
was Raman’s dirty paintings on the palace wall which
told the priest certain conditions. The priest has to be
made the king furious.
dressed like a woman and should speak in female voice.
The priest has to accept the conditions of Raman. He
was so fond of beautiful women. Raman dressed up the
31. RAMAN TRAPS KING AND PRIEST priest like a woman. He sat on the silk bed like a disci-

plined woman.
Tenali Raman has escaped thrice from the death sen-
tence. The three escapes were very narrow ones. It was ‘The woman will reach here soon. She is very shy.

Raman’s sheer wisdom and intelligence that saved him You must start speaking in female voice. Only after com-
But fear has gripped on Raman now, ‘If the king pro- ing closer, you should disclose that you are a male. Then
nounced any other death sentence I may not be able to you can proceed further’ The priest agreed with Raman’s
.

escape? This was the fear of Raman’ idea. After 15 minutes, the king reached there.
Raman
 Tenali Raman
helped the king to dress up like a woman. He
accompanied the king to the room where Tachachary
was sitting. Raman closed the door immediately after
the king entered Tathachary’s room. He peeped through
the door to witness the ‘unusual drama.’

32. ASHAMED KING SWEARS

Tathachary wished the ‘woman’ who entered into
his room. The king and the priest believed
that the other
person was a woman. Both were dressed up like woman.
The king revealed that he was a male and came there to
enjoy the company of a woman. Tathachary was
surprised. He realised that it was the real Kirm
Krishnadevarayar. How can he forget the majestic male
voice of the king?.

‘Oh Lord how did you appear here in this costume?’

Tathachary enquired. The king understood how he has
been fooled by Raman. Tathachary also came to know
about the whole episode. The king ordered to open the
door. His mind was filled with fear, sadness and anger Raman’s reply changed the king’s mind. ‘The three
Raman got frightened. ‘I have done it to save my life. death sentences pronounced by me earlier were all avoid-
You had sentenced me to capital punishment thrice. You able. It happened due to my sudden fury. Hence forth,

must swear not to kill me Raman pleaded. ‘If you deny

,
I won’t sentence you to capital punishment’, the king
my request, 1 will publicise the whole episode involving declared. Raman was relieved. He opened the door and
both of you’, Raman added. let them free.
 33. QUARREL BETWEEN 34. RAMAN SETTLES THE QUARREL
KING AND QUEEN was discussing a serious
Once, the King’s durbar

The King Krishnadevarayar had a quarrel with issue. It was about the paddy cultivation in Telangana
his
queen Thirumalambal. He didn’t even utter a
The king said the improvement of agriculture is
district.
word to
his wife for weeks.
The king stopped visiting the harem. necessary to meet food shortage. The experts discussed
The queen, meantime sought the help of Tenali Raman how to utilise the water from Thungabadra river for

agriculture. Everybody put forward their suggestions.

to settle the dispute. Raman agreed and enquired the rea-
son for the quarrel. Then came the turn of Tenali Raman. He came
The queen narrated the incident like this: The king before the king with a plate of paddy seeds. Raman said .

wrote a poem. It was a vague one. Certain words T reached here with a new type of paddy seeds. If it is
like
sun, moon, stars, beautiful sky were written here and sowed, the yield will be three times more than the present
there. There was no sense in the poem. The kin invited result’. But the king was reluctant to admit the claim.
g
his ministers to hear his recitation. But they ‘That cultivation need particular type of soil, fertilizers
all avoided
the king on flimsy grounds. After midnight, as there were and pesticides. Our farmers will suffer due to their

no listeners to his poem, the king went to the harem. ignorance’. Raman did not bother the king’s comment.
The problem is about the person who sow the paddy
The queen was sitting on the bed expecting the king.
seeds’ The king did not understand Raman’s utterances.
.
She had sleepless nights. As soon as the king reached
‘What is wrong with the person who sow the seeds?!
harem, he began to recite the poem. Thirumalambal
Raman’s intelligence began to work instantly. He said^
remained sleepy hearing the poem. She began to yawn
‘We have to take care of the person who sow the seeds.
often.The king thought that it was due to disrespect that
It doesn’t matter, if the person is male or female. But he/
the queen had yawned. The king who left the
harem then,
had not returned there she should not have the habit of yawning’.
yet.

‘But is there anybody in the world who does not

The queen wept after narrating the story. Raman
assured her that he will find a solution to the yawn’? The king said in the midst of yawning. The king
problem.
He consoled realised the natural fact that all human beings yawn in
the queen. Raman waited for the moment
daily life. He remembered the past events, in which he
to settle their dispute. Soon the day camp.
 Tenali Raman
Tenali Raman
scolded the queen for her yawning. The king knew that cage. Seeing the cat, the parrot started to cry loudly.
it was the queen Thirumalambal who had sent Raman It thought that the cat would kill him. The bird didn’t
as a mediator towards him. The king announced that he chant prayers afterwards. It was concerned only with its
is soon going to meet the queen. life and safety. Thus Raman proved that parrot had no
Raman felt victorious in his mission. The king reached divine powers. Raman received 100 gold coins from the
harem same night and apologized to the queen.
in the king as gift.

The king and queen presented Raman valuable gifts for

his service.

36. DEFEATED SOLDIER

35. DIVINE PARROT Once the king, a soldier and Raman had gone to a

remote area of Vijayanagaram, where low caste people

The king possessed a parrot. It always chanted man-
were living. The villagers followed an uncivilized life
People believed that the parrot had divine powers.
tras.
style.They used to eat dead animals and birds meat. But
The king told the uniqueness of the parrot to Raman.
they did not kill and eat animals and birds. The civilized
‘We too achieve God’s grace by chanting mantras like
people hated them due to such kind of life style.
this bird’, the king said.
The soldier boasted himself, ‘I don’t eat dead animal’s
The king gave a fruit to the parrot, which was locked meat, even if I had to suffer a lot’ . Raman didn’t like it.

in a cage. As soon as it received the fruit, the parrot ‘If I had to live under such circumstances, I too eat what
began to chant prayers. After that the parrot ate the fruit. they provide’, Raman said. But the soldier remained in
Raman opined that the parrot had no such divine his earlier stand of not eating dead animal’s meat. Raman
powers. It chanted prayers in order to receive the fruit. challenged the soldier as he didn’t like the boldness of
The king challenged Raman to prove his argument. the soldier. The king accepted the challenge put
Raman accepted the challenge. It won’t chant any prayers forwarded by Raman.
from tomorrow onwards’, he assured. The king offered
The king made arrangements for the soldier to reside
100 gold coins to Raman if he succeed in his mission.
in the village, where the untouchables were living. He
Next day, Raman brought a cat and tied near the parrot’s
was not permitted to leave the village. The villagers ate
 Tenali Raman Tenali Raman I
_ I

only ragi, other than the dead animal’s meat. But the pregnant at the time of lending’. He took away all the

soldier disliked ragi. He had to live without any food for utensils to his room.
a week. He became lean. The soldier* doubted whether
he would die of starvation. Finally he had to eat the dead
animal’s meat and ragi. Raman had won the bet. The
soldier conceded the defeat.

37. MONEYLENDER PUNISHED

A moneylender named Ratnachandran lived in
Vijayanagaram. He charged heavy interest from the
people for the loans. While he charged 50 percent inter-

est, other moneylenders charged only 10-15 percent.

Raman came know about the exorbitant interest

to

charged by Ratnachandran. He decided to teach a les-

son to the moneylender. Raman borrowed five copper
plates from Ratnachandran. It was borrowed as loan

through his friend Yogayya. When he returned the plates

there were five small utensils in addition to that.
Ratanachandran was surprised^Why is this small uten-
After a week, Raman called Yogayya again, ‘You go
sils?’, he asked.
and borrow two gold plates as loan.’ Ratnachandran
‘These were the utensils delivered by the big plates’, handed over gold plates without any hesitation. He
Yogayya said. As a cunning greedy moneylender reminded Yogayya that the gold plates were pregnant.
Ratnachandran was eager to possess the small utensils ‘You must return the baby plates, when you come back.’
also. ‘Okay. I forgot to remind you that the utensils were Ratnachandran’s shrewdness began to work.
60 Tenali Raman Tenali Raman

gives more happiness than king’s hospitality of provid-

Yogayya reached Raman’s house with the gold plates.
Raman melted the plates and converted them into small
ing food?’. Raman disliked the priests flattery. ‘Purging
is more happier than sumptuous food’, Raman countered-.
ones. He presented the small melted plates to those
The King Krishnadevarayar also -did not like Raman’s
people who suffered at the hands of Ratnachandran ear-
Yogayya reply. He intervened.
lier. After two days, Ratnachandran called on
and demanded the gold plates. He was expecting the gold Raman agreed to prove that his stand was right. The
plates and little utensils. king nodded consent. Raman put the king in a closed
room, at the time of nature’s call. The king had to reach
Yogayya replied that the mother and baby utensils
the toilet soon. But he was trapped inside a closed room,
died at the time of delivery. He had been well taught by
by Raman. The king was uncomfortable. He cried with
Raman to fool Ratnachandran. The dejected money-
stomach pain. At Raman came and opened the door.
last
lender approached the king and complained. Raman who
The king defecated well. He was relieved. When he came
intervened in the matter told the king the whole episode.
out of the toilet, king thanked Raman for letting him
The king ordered to arrest Ratnachandran for charging
free, The king sighed relief. ‘
Defecation is more joyful
excessive interest on loans.
than eating, isn’t Raman asked. The king had
it lord?’

no different answer. Thus Raman once more proved wise

and intelligent.

38. RAMAN DISLIKES FLATTERY

Tenali Raman and the court priest Tathachary had
39. WRESTLER FLEES
different habits and manners. While Tathachary praised
the king for his selfish motives, Raman was just the Once a wrestler from Delhi came to Vijayanagaram.
opposite. He was bold enough to criticise the king. He He participated in various fighting competitions. Every-

did not flatter anybody for personal gains. one lost to the wrestler from Delhi. The king felt ashamed
about this. He wanted to see the wrestler defeated.
Once the king arranged sumptuous meal at the

palace. Tathachary and Raman had also participated in At last the king sought the help of Tenali Raman. He
it. Tathachary said, ‘Is there anything in the world which agreed to make the wrestler flee from Vijayanagaram.
 Tenali Raman Tenali Raman I
^ I

the scholar. At last the king sought the help of Raman.

Raman did not have any knowledge of wrestling. But
He wanted to safeguard the prestige of his kingdom
he was quite sure of driving out the wrestler. Raman
at

any cost.
called on him and asked ‘Do you know the tricks
in

numerology?’ The wrestler got surprised. He remained Raman agreed to face the scholar. He placed a book,
Raman consoled him and told about the new game wrapped
silent. in red silk cloth, before the scholar. The scholar
in wrestling. was anxious. He asked Raman ‘What is it?’ ‘It is the

The wrestler didn’t understand what Raman was talk- book called. ‘THILAKASHTA MAHISHA BAND-
ing. He felt something fussy. He didn’t hear
about HANAM’ Raman replied. The scholar was
, surprised.

numerology game ever before. The wrestler planned to ‘I haven’t heard of such a book’, he said to himself .

escape from Vijayanagaram without entering into the Raman challenged the scholar to have a debate next
arena. For that purpose he dressed like a wood cutter
day based on that book. The scholar has to admit the
and escaped in midnight from Vijayanagaram.
challenge. He could not sleep on that night thinking of
Tenali Raman triumphed at last. The king presented the rare book. The scholar planned to flee from
Raman 1000 gold coins for retaining the glory of king- Vijayanagaram. For that purpose, he lied to the king that
dom. he was ill. He returned to Orisa and searched for the
book but could not find it. There was no such book named
‘THILAKASHTA MAHISHA B ANDHANAM’
40. A SCHOLAR DEFEATED
Next day, the king called Raman and enquired about
The King Krishnadevarayar was famous for his the trick he played to drive out the scholar. Raman opened
hospitality. He welcomed scholars from every
walk of
the silk cover and showed it to the king. There was no
life. Once a scholar from Orissa reached Vijayanagaram. book inside the cover, but only sesamum, firewood and
He challenged the inmates of the durbar for a debate. a rope. He THILAM means sesamum, KASHTA
said, ‘

Everybody was afraid of confronting the scholar. They means firewood and MAHISHA B ANDHANAM means
knew about his abilities and past record. The king called rope used to tie buffalo’. The king joined Raman in

the scholars of his durbar to come forward and

chal- the wild laughter. He gave Raman a diamond ring as
lenge the guest. They all avoided the situation to face reward.
 Ten ali Raman 65 |

41. HOOVE OF DEVADASI Several days passed. The Devadasi became closer to
the sage. Their affinity towards each other increased day
The King Kri s Hh nade va ray ar had an affair with a
by day.One day Krishnaveni requested, ‘I understand
‘Devadasi’ (tempos dancer) named Krishnaveni. He
that you know the magic of making money. Kindly teach
was sure that she w#as not involved with any other men.
The king wanted to marry her. But he was afraid of the
•
me the trick’. The sage became happy that he was going
public hatred as ni°!? ost people disliked Devadasi girls.
to succeed in his mission. He replied, ‘Like your inter-

est of making money, I too have an interest in you’

As usual, the kingig sought the help of Raman. Raman Krishnaveni tried to object it, ‘it is not proper for a sage
disagreed tfitlP th the king’s intention. ‘It is to amass
earlier
to get attracted to women’.
huge wealth, that thene Dev.adasi pretends love. She will
elude you if she fifldgHs a man wealthier than you’, Raman ‘Why are you interested in making money? You are

advised the king. Buiimt the king was not prepared to give soon going to become the queen of Krishnadevarayar.

up his plan. ‘She is ne/mot like that, she has dedicated me in The king has huge wealth in his custody’, the sage said.
her heart. If you prcirove that, she would elude me and But Krishnaveni was eager to learn the magic of money
love any other it#. IJ» I will present you 1000 gold coins’, making. She thought, ‘If I by pretend-
learn the magic,
the king promised RsiRaman. ing love to the sage, I can earn lot of money and marry a

Raman was exited. He thought of gaining 1000 gold man according to my choice’ . This was the attitude of

coins. Raman availed led of three months leave from the Krishnaveni. Raman in disguise as sage put forward

routine palace tforldn'k. He reached near Krishnaveni’s certain conditions before the Devadasi. ‘I will stay in

house and began tojf > meditate under a banyan tree. For the house near the temple. You should send me a love
that purpose, he Regressed like a sage. Krishnaveni saw letter. It should contain the request inviting me to your
the ‘sanyasi’ and®# >ched near him. He gave the Devadasi house. I will do the rest as soon as I receive the letter’,
10 gold coins and requested, ‘Can you buy me fruits
res'! Raman suggested. Krishnaveni agreed to do so.
with this money?’ W She was surprised. A sage in posses-
As soon as Raman received the letter, he showed it to
sion of gold He may know the magic of making
coins- H.H
the king. He understood that the Devadasi had no sin-
money, Krishna® »i thought. Otherwise he would not
cere love for him. He gave 100 gold coins to Raman as
spend such an ainwunt to buy fruits. The sage gave the
promised. Raman got additional gifts from the queens,
same amount several ill'** d times to the Devadasi, for purchas-
as they were happy with his performance. It was Raman’s
ing fruits.
work that saved the king from the Devadasi’s trap.
 Tenali Raman ' 1

41. LOVE OF DEVADASI Several days passed. The Devadasi became closer to

the sage. Their affinity towards each other increased day

The King Krishnadevarayar had an affair with a
by day. One day Krishnaveni requested, ‘I understand
‘Devadasi’ (temple dancer) named Krishnaveni. He
that you know the magic of making money. Kindly teach
was sure that she was not involved with any other men. me the trick’ The sage became happy that he was going
.

The king wanted to marry her. But he was afraid of the He replied, ‘Like your inter-
to succeed in his mission.
public hatred as most people disliked Devadasi girls.
interest in you’
est of making money, I too have an
As usual, the king sought the help of Raman. Raman Krishnaveni tried to object it, ‘it is not proper for a sage
earlier disagreed with the king’s intention. ‘It is to amass to get attracted to women’
huge wealth, that the Devadasi pretends love. She will
‘Why are you interested in making money? You are
elude you if she finds a man wealthier than you’ , Raman
soon going to become the queen of Krishnadevarayar.
advised the king. But the king was not prepared to give
The king has huge wealth in his custody’, the sage said.
up his plan. ‘She is not like that, she has dedicated me in
she would elude me and But Krishnaveni was eager to learn the magic of money
her heart. If you prove that,
making. She thought, ‘If I by pretend-
learn the magic,
love any other man, I will present you 1000 gold coins’,
ing love to the sage, I can earn lot of money and marry a
the king promised Raman.
man according to my choice’. This was the attitude of
Raman was excited. He thought of gaining 1000 gold Raman in disguise as sage put forward
Krishnaveni.
coins. Raman availed of three months leave from the
certain conditions before the Devadasi. ‘I will stay in
routine palace work. He reached near Krishnaveni’s
the house near the temple. You should send me a love
house and began to meditate under a banyan tree. For
letter. It should contain the request inviting me to your
that purpose, he dressed like a sage. Krishnaveni saw
house. I will do the rest as soon as I receive the letter’,
the ‘sanyasi’ and reached near him. He gave the Devadasi
Raman suggested. Krishnaveni agreed to do so.
10 gold coins and requested, ‘Can you buy me fruits
with this money?’ She was surprised. A
sage in posses- As soon as Raman received the letter, he showed it to
sion of gold coins. He may know the magic of making the king. He understood that the Devadasi had no sin-

money, Krishnaveni thought. Otherwise he would not cere love for him. He gave 100 gold coins to Raman as

spend such an amount to buy fruits. The sage gave the promised. Raman got additional gifts from the queens,
same amount several times to the Devadasi, for purchas- were happy with his performance. It was Raman
as they s

ing fruits.
work that saved the king from the Devadasi’s trap.
 Tenali Raman
42. A SPY SENTENCED stood that the spy was not a Hindu. When the spy got
frightened, he called Allah. The king ordered to arrest
During 1520 A.D, Vijayanagaram empire had
the spy. The room which he stayed was thoroughly
in
planned to attack neighboring Bijapur Kingdom. The
inspected. Several documents were received from the
Bijapur Sulthan sent a spy to Vijayanagaram to know
about their arms preparation. The spy was a bigot named
Rajasaheb. He planned to kill Krishnadevarayar.

Rajasaheb was accustomed to Brahmins’ rituals. He

knew Sanskrit very well. He was dark in colour and
looked like a Tamil Brahmin. He was disguised as Raja
‘

Iyer’ and introduced to King Krishnadevarayar. The

king
had no hesitation in welcoming the guest, as he behaved
like a true Brahmin. Nobody doubted him
in the palace
about his real identity. He attained full freedom in and
around the palace. As a spy, Rajasaheb watched all the
movements.

But Tenali Raman was suspicious of guest. He told

He scolded Raman. The spy in disguise
this to the king.

as a Brahmin, became a friend of the king. Raman

continued his observation on the spy. One day Raman
told the king that Raja Iyer was not a Brahmin but
a spy
of Bijapur Sulthan. can prove you that Raja Iyer is not
‘I

a Brahmin. I will show that he is a Muslim’, Raman

challenged and the king accepted.
room, which proved that the guest was a spy of Bijapur
Raman collected some leeches from the pond and put
Sulthan. The king sentenced the spy to capital punish-
them in cold water. One day, he poured that water on the
ment.He congratulated Raman for saving the country.
spy while he was sleeping. He woke up suddenly scream-
ing Allah
Raman was presented with one lakh gold coins for his
Allah The king who saw this under-
service.
 69
Tenali Raman |

43. ANOTHER SPY KILLED tion was wrong. After a thorough search on his body,

several clues were recovered to prove the espionage.

The between Vijayanagaram empire and
rivalry
Bijapur Kingdom had many other stories to tell. Once The king lat^r crossed Thungabhadra river, fought
the Bijapur Sulthan sent another spy to Vijayanagaram against the Bijapur Sulthan and won the battle. The king
as an astrologer. He also became a great friend of King rewarded Raman as usual.
Krish nadevarayar.

The ‘astrologer spy’ revealed that the king will die if 44. THE PRIEST PENALISED
he crossed Thungabhadra river. It was a preplanned idea
of Bijapur Sulthan to prevent Krishnadevarayar from en- The King Krishnadevarayar was caught in a dilemma
tering into his country. If Krishnadevarayar wants to at- after the death of his mother. One of the wishes of his
tack Bijapur, he has to cross Thungabhadra river. The mother was not fulfilled before her death. The priest
king was in a He was on the move to attack Bijapur.
fix. informed the king that the soul of his mother was wan-
The queens and ministers prevented the king when they dering around due to this. The king sought the advice of
heard of the astrologer’s advice. the priests for a solution. The priests had other plans in
their mind. They told the king, ‘The last wish of your
As usual the king sought the help of Raman to solve
mother was to eat mangoes. She could not fulfill it. As a
the problem. Raman believed that the astrologer is a spy
solution you must donate 12 gold mangoes to 12 Brah-
of Bijapur Sulthan. The king asked him to prove the
min priests. Then only the soul of your mother will rest
charge. Raman on one condition. ‘Permit me
agreed, but
in peace’.
to carry out the punishment also if it is proved that the
astrologer is a spy’, Raman said. The king agreed and The king did as advised by the priests. Raman realised
called the astrologer to the durbar. Raman asked him, that the priests had cheated the king. This solution is

‘You are a great astrologer. Tell me when will you die?’ fraud. But he didn’t some days,
utter anything. After

Raman’s mother Lakshmma died of arthritis. As part of

‘After 34 years’, the astrologer replied quickly. ‘You
obsequies Raman gave a feast to the same 12 priests.
are 43 years old now. That means you will die when you
Before they returned home, Raman burned them with
attain 77 years’, saying this Raman cut the astrologers
The priests could not under-
hot ladle on their thighs.
head, with a sword kept in his waist. The astrologer died
stand what was happening. They wriggled in pain and
on the spot. Raman proved that the astrologer’s predic-
complained to the king.
I I Tenali Raman Tenali Raman 1
1
I

Raman revealed the reason for his action. ‘My mother understood the conspiracy of the priests through
died of arthritis. Her last wish was to bum her paralysed Somayajalu.
legs with hot ladle. But her wish could not be fulfilled.
The priests planned to burn Raman during the
Her soul is wandering around here. I did this as part of ceremony. At the start of the ceremony, Raman will
her obsequies’. The people who heard Raman’s justifi- present 100 gold coins to the guru. Subsequently, a sym-
cation was happy. They all hated the priests. bol will be affixed on Raman’s body with a hot ladle.

The king realised the whole episode. The Brahmin Then one of the priests will ask Raman a questionnaire
like this:
priests had betrayed him by taking golden mangoes.
Raman gave them suitable penalty. The priests became ‘Raman is not a Brahmin priest to do the poojas. He
the enemy of Raman. is only a ‘Niyogi’ Brahmin. Such persons are not
entitled to become priests’. The other priests will join
in this discussion and agree on this stand. Meantime,
45. CONSPIRACY FAILS they will bum Raman using hot ladle and send him away.
This plan of the priests were well narrated by Somayajalu
The head priest Tathachary also joined the other
to Raman.
priests in conspiring against Raman. They all planned
Finally, the day arrived for Raman to become a dis-
to take revenge on Raman for burning them. Tathacahry
ciple. The chief priest started the rituats early in the morn-
called Tenali Raman and said, ‘I have become old. I have
ing.The other priests in the meantime arranged hot ladle
to find a successor. A suitable person has to be trained
to burn Raman. He asked Tathachary, ‘Can a Niyogi
as a head priest. I think you are the right person. You
Brahmin become the royal priest? Whether the vedic
must accept me as your guru. I will make you an expo-
science permit it?’ All the priests wondered by hearing
nent in tantrik poojas’.
the question. They didn’t expect such a question from
Raman did not hesitate. But he felt something wrong Raman The . priests were in a dilemma to answer the
in Tathachary’s move. He was unaware of the priests’ question.

motive. Among the priests, Somayajalu was very poor If they let out Raman on the ground that a Niyogi
and simple. Raman gave him 10 gold coins to become Brahman is not eligible to become royal priest, their con-
acquainted with him. They soon became friends. Raman spiracy of burning him cannot take place. If they permit
72 Tenali Raman 73
Tenali Raman |

Raman later garland these sandals around brides neck’, Raman

him, their conservative mind will collapse. re-
purposely told the lie. The landlords finally did not get
treated from the scene. When the king asked the reason,
time to find the truth.
he narrated the whole episode about the conspiracy of
the priests to bum him. Then came the auspicious time of tying the nuptial
knot.The members of the family handed over the san-
dals to Saradambal. She threw it on the face of

46. BRIDE THROWS SANDALS AT Krishnadevarayar. All were stunned .But Raman

BRIDEGROOM controlled the situation. ‘It is a unique ritual of the

Malanadu empire’, he The king then re-
told the king.
Once the king was engaged in a private chat with membered his earlier challenge with Raman. He became
Tenali Raman. In the midst of talk, the king challenged calm and garlanded the bridegroom, as told by Raman.
Raman for an unusual affair. It was like this. Raman said, The king presented Raman with gold coins as promised.
‘A woman will throw sandals on your face. This will

happen within one year’. The king accepted this chal-

lenge, ‘Okay, if that is done, I will give you 100 gold

47. RAMAN’S FANCY DRESS
coins’.

After a month, the day of the king’s marriage arrived. Even after the marriage, the king was not happy. He
The bride was Saradambal, daughter of a landlord from was angry with Raman due to the ‘sandal throwing
Malanadu. That family was unaware of the customs and incident’. Raman had also earned 100 gold coins from
rituals of a royal family. Tenali Raman utilised this situ- the king during the ceremony. The king ordered to

ation. He reached the landlord’s house early in the morn- debar Raman from entering the palace. Raman obeyed
ing. He told the members of the family about the rituals and returned, after bowing to the king. ‘
I don’t want to
and gave the bride a pair of shoes. They were surprised. see your face anymore’, the king declared.
On the next
Raman told its speciality. day, when the durbar meeting was in progress,
a strange man came there. His face and head were
‘In Vijayanagaram kingdom, there existed a strange
bridegroom’s face covered with a pot. Everybody laughed at the unusual
ritual of bride throwing sandals at the
sight. It was Tenali Raman. The pot was really suited to
at the time of tying nuptial knot. The bridegroom will
 Tenali Raman Tenali Raman

his head. There were two holes for the eyes. He peeped During this time, the king entered the durbar. He
through the holes and showed gestures at the public. didn’t like the uproar. ‘Who is walking here in fancy
dress? Tie him’, the king ordered the soldiers. Soon
came the reply, ‘Oh king ! It is Tenali Raman. You had
ordered not to show my face. Hence, I covered it with a
pot Raman reminded the king’s earlier order.

The king this time joined in the laughter.

He asked
Raman to remove the pot from his face. Raman obliged.

48. RAMAN FOOLED ROBBERS

As a jester, Tenali Raman’s duty begins early morn-
He reached the palace before the king woke
ing daily.
up.He returned home only after the king went to sleep.
So Raman got little time to look after his family affairs.

One day, he was returning home late in the night. On

the way, he remembered to irrigate his agricultural land.
It has to be done even
at midnight, he thought. Then he
saw two robbers hiding in his land. The robbers did not
see Raman. They planned to rob the house after Raman
went to bed.

Raman thought of an idea. He called his wife

Mankamma and said loudly. ‘The country is fed up with
robbers’ menace. It is not safe to keep valuables like gold
ornaments in the house. It has to be sealed in a box and
put it into the well. We can take it back, after drying out
76 Tenali Raman Tenali Raman 77

and reached near the well. The robbers began to

the well when need arises’. The robbers who heard this flee.

the well. Raman thanked them for irrigating his land. He got the
dreamt of great catch of valuables from
work done without spending a single paise. The ashamed
contain-
Meanwhile, Raman and wife sealed a box, robbers fled from the spot and escaped.
into the well. They went to
ing a heavy stone and put it
take the water out
bed for sleep. The robbers began to

49. AN EXPERIMENTAL DEATH

Tenali Raman had possessed a lot of wealth. Even
the king used to approach Raman when he was in dire
need of money. Raman got such huge amount by way of
presentation and gifts. As a court jester, he received
many
gold coins as reward for his services.

There was a system of confiscation of wealth by the

king when wealthy persons died. So Raman did
not trust
the king.He wanted to experiment the consequent
happenings after his death. Whether the king will look
after his family
members? Will the king pay compensa-
tion to his relatives?
So Raman pretended as ill and later
as dead. The rumour of his ‘death’ spread
all over
Vijayanagaram. The news reached the palace after some
days.

Meanwhile Raman put all his money in a box. The

well was diverted to the
of the well. The water from the lengthy box had holes to breath air. Raman himself laid
cultivable land. Due to darkness they
were afraid of get- in thatbox along with the cash. The officials, who
ting into the well. They continued their task of pouring reached Raman’s house, confiscated the cash box and
next day morning. Fi- ied
out the water from the well till They didn’t realise Raman’s pres-
i ai i it to the palace.
stone. Raman woke up ence inside the box.
nally they got box containing
78 Tenali Raman

50. RAMAN DIES

The death of Tenali Raman was quite accidental.
A snake bite led him to death. When he
realised that
death was fast approaching, Raman
sent a man to call

When opened the box, he got

the king unsealed and
frightened. The ‘dead’ Raman came out of the
box alive.
Raman said Oh Lord! I did it because I wanted to know
‘

what you will do after my death. When I die, please do

not neglect my family. The old rule of confiscation of
wealth has to be changed.’ The king became conscious
about what Raman said.
[80 Tenali Raman

the king. But the king did not take it seriously. He

thought, Raman as a jester had sent a man to fool him.

The king did not go to see his jester. Raman breathed

his last in the absence of the king.

Krishnadevarayar wept after hearing the death of his

dearest friend. The king cried aloud, ‘Oh! Raman, you
had made me laugh several times. I thought this time
also you planned to delight me. Otherwise I would have
reached at your bedside. You had amused me up to your
death. Now you have left me by providing sorrow.’

The death of Tenali Raman caused deep sorrow not

only to the king but also to the entire Vijayanagaram
empire. Even though Raman died long ago, he is still

alive in the hearts of millions of people for his wise and

homorous activities.