Tenali Tales

Tenali Tales

Tenalirama's outspokenness.

Krishnadevaraya, arranged to construct a new reservoir. After the construction of the same was over, he along with his officials went to inspect the reservoir. He was very happy to see a vast area covered with water and asked his officials, “How does the water in this reservoir look like? One official said, “The water in this reservoir is so pure that it is comparable to the purity of God only. Another one told, "The water is crystal clear and is glittering. Like this, each one commented according to their imagination. On Tenalirama's turn he told the king, “Your Highness, the water has taken the shape of the reservoir you have built. Without indulging in flattery, Tenalirama gave a pertinent answer. The king liked his plain talk and extolled him.

Shrewdness of Tenali saves his life.

One day, Tenalirama incurred the extreme displeasure of the king, for overdoing his part. He ordered his servants that Tenalirama must be made to be trampled by an elephant. The servants of the palace took him to an open plain outside the city. They dug a deep pit there and buried him in it, leaving only his face, projecting above the ground. They then returned to the city to fetch an elephant for treading over Tenalirama. In the interval, a hunch-backed washer man happened to pass that way. He, after seeing Tenalirama in that particular posture, wanted to find out the reason for that. When asked for the reason, Tenalirama replied, "I have a hunch-back for a very long time. In order to correct the defect, a doctor left me buried here thus. I have lost my curve and become straight now. You can dig me up and see for yourself whether it is so or not." The washer man did accordingly and to his surprise he did not find any bend in Tenalirama's body. Then, the washer man begged him that he may also be buried in the pit, so that his body too might become erect. Without any delay Tenalirama fulfilled his desire, and returned to the king with the washer man’s bundle on his hand. The king was very much astonished to see Tenalirama. He asked him, "How could it be possible that you are still alive? By now, you should have been trampled to death by an elephant!" The jester replied with a cool obeisance, "The order was so, but an honest washer man has obligingly taken my place and this is the bundle which he entrusted to me. The king could not control his laughter and excused his jester.

Teaching a lesson to the greedy pundits.

King Krishnadevaraya of Vijayanagar had great respect for his mother. His mother was a very orthodox woman. She had given a lot of things in charity. In her old age, she thought that it would be perfect if she gave away fruits as gifts to others on an auspicious day. She told her son of her desire. Krishnadevaraya arranged to get delicious mangoes from Ratnagiri. But, on the chosen auspicious day, the king's mother died. The king called the pundits and told them about his mother's last unfulfilled wish. The greedy pundits suggested that, his mother's soul will rest in peace, only if he offers mangoes made of gold, as gifts to the pundits, on the day of his mother's ceremony. Tenalirama came to know of this. The next day he went to the houses of those pundits. He told them that his mother's ceremony also falls on the same day as that of the king's mother and asked to come to his house straight from the palace. The pundits came to Tenalirama's house after receiving the golden mangoes from the king.Tenalirama's servants closed all the doors. Tenalirama told the pundits that his mother who was suffering from unbearable rheumatic pain asked him to burn her skin with a red hot iron bar so that she may be relieved of the pain. But, he could not fulfill her last wish, as she died. In order that her soul may rest in peace, I intend to burn your skin with red-hot iron bar. At that time, a servant who was holding the red hot iron bar on his hand approached the pundits. The pundits got terrified and shouted that it was not good on the part of Tenalirama to do injustice to his guests. He told them that," if receiving the golden mangoes, to fulfill the last wish of Rajmatha is correct, receiving the burning with the hot iron bar, to fulfill the last wish of my mother, is also correct."The pundits felt ashamed and requested Tenalirama to forgive them. They also left all the golden mangoes and went away. When Krishnadevaraya enquired about this incident, Tenalirama replied that I only prevented these greedy people from exploiting the public money. The public money is meant to serve the needy and not to feed the lazy. So saying, he returned all the golden mangoes recovered from the pundits.

Appearing with his head concealed.

One day Tenalirama visited the picture gallery in the palace. He was looking at some newly painted colored pictures exhibited on the wall. He saw a picture of a nymph. Some portions of the picture were not to his taste. So, with brush and colors he made some changes on it. The minister, who happened to go there at that time, saw this. He informed the king about the incident. The king felt very angry and ordered that Tenalirama is to be presented before him immediately. When Tenalirama appeared before him, the king pointed out his mistake and shouted, "Don't show your wretched face, any more here. The jester withdrew at once. But reappeared after some time, with his head and face completely hidden in a large-mouthed mud pot. The king was not able to recognize who the person was and asked for his name and the reason for hiding his face and head with a mud pot. Then, the person replied," I am Tenalirama. As your highness did not want to see my face, I have completely hidden them with this mud pot. I trust my hated face does not offend your eyes anymore." On hearing Tenalirama's defense statement, the whole court including Krishnadevaraya laughed aloud.

Rearing a colt.

King Krishnadevaraya got a supply of colts. He distributed them to a group of chosen people; in such a way that each will get one colt. Tenalirama was also one among them. This group of people was allowed to draw three pagodas per month for bringing up the colt. While everyone put full efforts and began to bring up the animal excellently, Tenalirama kept the animal in a small room, which was completely closed on all the sides, except for a very small opening on one wall. He also provided a small tub inside the room. Every morning and evening, he used to feed the animal with a handful of grass through the opening on the wall. He also poured a little water in the tub provided inside the room. After sometime, Krishnadevaraya ordered them to bring and exhibit their colts. Accordingly, all of them except Tenalirama brought their colts and exhibited them. All those colts were fat and fleshy with shiny hair and were very active. Krishnadevaraya called Tenalirama and asked, "Why have you not brought your animal?" Tenalirama replied, "No one can approach and catch hold of my colt. If you will provide me the help of a brave soldier, I shall go and fetch my colt." And the king honored his request. The soldier chosen for this duty had a long and slender beard. The jester took him to the place where the colt was kept. He asked him to look at it through the small opening. The soldier did so, thrusting his face in the opening. Thinking that grass was being offered to it, the colt bounding suddenly caught hold of the soldier's beard. The soldier began to cry aloud. Tenalirama ran to the palace and told the king, "The colt has caught hold of your soldier and will not leave him off. The poor man is crying piteously." Then Krishnadevaraya accompanied by his minister Appaji went to the spot to have a personal inspection. Then according to the king's instruction the wall was pulled down, and the soldier was released. But, the king was really astonished to see the colt that had caused so much trouble. It was finding it difficult even to stand on its legs. The king questioned Tenalirama, “Have you not fed the colt properly? It has become so weak. He answered readily, “You see how unmanageable the colt is, even when so sparingly fed. Your strongest soldier himself is unable to control it. Had it been well fed, whom you will find to upkeep the animal?" The bold answer of Tenalirama astonished the king and his anger also got subsided.

Tenali cleverly escapes from exile.

On yet another occasion, Krishnadevaraya was very much angry with Tenalirama. He asked Tenalirama to leave his country itself. Tenalirama obeyed the king's order and started his journey. After some days, Krishnadevaraya riding on his horse was going through a forest. At that time, he saw a person climbing to the top of a tree. He found that the person was no other than Tenalirama. His anger towards Tenalirama was not yet subsided and so he said very sternly," I asked you to go out of this country. But why are you still here? Tenalirama answered very intelligently, “Your highness, I have travelled the entire world. But, all the people whom I asked told the same answer, “It is under Krishnadevaraya’s empire. So, not knowing where to go, I was just climbing up the tree to reach the other world itself. Listening to this the king laughed aloud. He excused him and ordered him to return to the court.

Tenalirama robs the robber’s labor!

On one night, some thieves entered Tenalirama's house and were hiding in the back yard of his house. They were only waiting for the opportune time, to enter in and rob. Tenalirama sensed that and hence collected all the money, jewels, silk clothes and other costly things. Then, he called his wife and said in a voice loud enough for the thieves to hear, "Of late, there are more incidence of robbery taking place in this city. Hence, we shall collect all our valuables and keep inside the well in our garden. We shall take it out again after the fear is over." Then he filled up a big box with some heavy unwanted trash. They dragged the box to the well in the garden and threw it into the well with a heavy splash. The thieves, who were carefully observing all this, heard the splashing sound also. So, they decided not to enter inside the house. Instead, they wanted to get into the well and take away the box. With very great eagerness, one of them got into the well, and found that the water was very deep. They realized that, the box can be easily taken out, only after baling out the water.  Accordingly, the thieves spent the entire night to draw water from the well.  Since, all the water drawn from the well was poured into the garden; all the plants in the garden got irrigated. To their disappointment, the water level in the well never went down to the extent they expected. When the day was about to dawn, Tenalirama cried aloud, "The whole garden has been well irrigated and you may stop now, drawing further water. On hearing these words, the thieves ran away, Tenalirama's presence of mind and consequent swift action saved his valuables being robbed off from his house.

Tenalirama and the egoistic scholar.

There was a renowned scholar of Kashi, named  Vidyasagar. He was well versed in all subjects. He had also travelled to many  parts of North India and had defeated several scholars in the debates. Once, he came to Vijayanagar along with his disciples. At Vijayanagar, the king welcomed him as his guest, with due respect.

During his conversation with the king, Vidyasagar said," Your Highness, I have heard of the eminent scholars of your court. I will be pleased to participate in a debating contest, with your scholars. If I am defeated in the contest, I will surrender all my titles to them. If it is on the other way, they must accept me as their master." His utterance created dismay in the minds of all the learned men in the court.

Krishnadevaraya agreed to have the contest on the next day and sent Vidyasagar to the guest house. Then, he called all the scholars of his court and asked them," Who are all ready for the debate? The scholars bent down their heads in silence. Seeing their inability, the king got enraged. But, Tenalirama came forward to meet the challenge of Vidyasagar. Though Krishnadevaraya was surprised at his decision, he made necessary arrangements for the contest.

Next day, Tenalirama along with the other great scholars entered the court with pomp and show. He was very elegantly dressed. The scholars, who followed Tenalirama, were shouting slogans in praise of him. Tenalirama was carrying a big book covered with silk lace. This scene made Vidyasagar, dumbfounded.

As per schedule, the king signaled for the debate to begin. At once, Tenalirama, pointing his finger at the book on a desk, invited Vidyasagar for a debate on that book. When Vidyasagar was curious to know the name of the book, Tenalirama revealed its name as "Thilakashtamahishabandhana". The scholar from Kashi had never heard of this book. At the same time, he did not want to face the defeat so soon. So, he told the king, "Your Highness, I remember to have read this book long back. I need some time for me to refresh. Hence, I may be permitted to have this discussion tomorrow." The king honored his request.  Vidyasagar and his disciples returned back to their camp.

The name of the book was indeed a riddle for him. He was certain that, he will embrace the defeat on the next day. Hence, to avoid the disgrace in front of others, he and his disciples ran away from Vijayanagar on the same night.

The king was very much surprised to hear this. He asked Tenalirama to bring that book which made the scholar to run away. Tenalirama carried it to the court. In front of the king he removed the silk cloth with which it was covered. To the surprise of all, there was no book. On the other hand, there was a sesame stick tied with a rope. On seeing this Krishnadevaraya wanted an explanation from Tenalirama. Then Tenalirama explained by identifying each item," My Lord, This is the 'Tilakashta', the sesame stick and this one is the ‘mahishabandhana’ a rope which is normally used to tie the buffalo.  'Thilakashtamahishabandhana', simply meant,' tied up sesame stick'."Then, the king laughed to his heart's content. He thanked Tenalirama for saving the prestige of the country, and honored him with valuable gifts.

(Tila, kashta, mahisha and bandhana are sanskit words and they correspondingly mean as sesame, stick, buffalo and that which binds (a rope).

Tenali subjugates a wrestler's arrogance.

In those days, Kings used to patronize wrestling contests. Court wrestlers belonging to various kingdoms used to participate in the contest. Each one of the wrestler will prove his might to win the contest. There was a famous wrestler named Atisura. He, to his merit, had conquered the court wrestlers of various kingdoms.

Once, he came to Krishnadevaraya's kingdom. He was wearing lot of medals and badges which he got by winning several contests. When the court wrestlers saw him, they got alarmed and were in a great fix. Tenalirama, on seeing them with a low spirit, asked them for the reason? They said: "Till this time we have been enjoying the patronage of the king. But now, we see some threat to that. A wrestler named Atisura has come in our way. What shall we do?" Tenalirama said, “You don't have to worry. Give me all your badges and follow me." He then put on all the badges, and assuming the name of Virakesary, took up his position with his followers in a tent opposite to that of Atisura.

Atisura saw Virakesary and his followers. He thought to himself that, "The leader of the group seems to be my rival. First of all, I must ascertain his merit." So, he sent word to Virakesari, asking for his permission to meet him.  Virakesari, made it known through the messenger that, he is interested to meet Atisura on the next day, in Krishnadevaraya's court only. On hearing this, Atisura started guessing about the ability of Virakesari.

Next day, Atisura and Virakesari appeared in the court to show their skill to the king and the audience. Then Virakesari asked Atisura: "Is your method of wrestling a scientific one or the physical-force method?" Atisura replied, "I follow the scientific method only." Then Virakesari said: "I shall show some symbols of the scientific method of wrestling. Only if you are capable of explaining the meaning of these symbols, I shall deem it fit to wrestle with you." Atisura accepted the challenge. Thereupon, Virakesary made to close all the fingers of Atisura right hand, and hit his own chest with it. Then, he placed his opponent's two palms over his own shoulders, described a circle round his neck with the front finger, showed his right palm hanging upside down up to the hip, and waved his left fist. Atisura saw all these symbols, but could not make anything out of that. He tried to recollect all the symbols that he had learnt in wrestling, but in vain. Victorious Tenalirama, accompanied by his followers, with very loud drums beat, entered his tent. The next day, Krishnadevaraya asked, "Tenalirama! What is the meaning of those symbols which you displayed yesterday?" In reply to his question, Tenalirama showing those symbols again, explained, "Atisura! If I face you, you will kill me by pounding on my chest and I will drop down stretched on the ground, with my face upwards.  Then, who will protect my wife and child. On hearing this, Krishnadevaraya’s laugh knew no bounds.

Painting with a difference.

Krishnadevaraya built a beautiful mansion. He arranged for the painting of the walls of the mansion with appropriate pictures. After the completion of the entire painting works, the painter intimated the fact to the king. One day, Krishnadevaraya accompanied by his ministers and others went to the mansion. He was going through several parts of that house, and was admired by the workmanship of the painter and other artisans. Tenalirama noticed a picture which was painted sideways. Immediately he expressed to the king," You’re Highness! This picture displays the limbs of only one side. Where are those of the other side?"  In reply to this, the king said sarcastically, “You must imagine it all. Don’t you know this?" Tenalirama with apparent sincerity said, "Yes my lord! Now, I understand it. After a long time, Tenalirama told Krishnadevaraya," My Lord! From the day we visited your new mansion, I have developed enthusiasm in painting and I have started practicing it, also. I have become an expert in it now and I will be pleased if you could witness some of my beautiful executions." "Indeed!"  Exclaimed the king.

The king then entrusted to him the entire responsibility of painting the walls of a mansion. He instructed Tenalirama to remove the old faded paintings and in its place to paint new ones. Tenalirama then rubbed away all the beautiful original paintings. He painted a nail in one place, a finger in another place, a hand in a third; thus, in his own way he filled the whole house with his paintings and completely spoiled its look. He then went to Krishnadevaraya and said: "I have finished all my paintings. You please make a visit to see them all." The King taking it to be true visits the building accompanied by several people. On seeing the pictures, he commented, "What!  Tenalirama! I don’t' see any beautiful paintings. Instead, I see only odd limbs and fragments." Tenalirama said: "You must imagine all the other portions to exist on the other side. It seems you have forgotten that obvious thing?"

On hearing Tenalirama reply, the king felt that the same words which he uttered long back were reverberating back on his ears. Even though the king felt very angry with Tenalirama for spoiling the whole building, he left the place without reacting.