Tenali Rama in the Court

Tenali Rama in the Court

Ramakrishna proceeded to Hampi, the seat of mighty Vijayanagar empire. The empire was ruled by Krishnadevaraya. Ramakrishna reached Hampi. He wanted to meet the king. But he was not allowed to go inside the palace. Ramakrishna waited for few days. He was awaiting for an opportunity.

One day a drama troupe came to Hampi. The troupe was famous for enacting the play Krishna leela in the dance form. The troupe was permitted to go inside the palace. 

Ramakrishna saw the troupe. Suddenly he chalked out a plan. He went to the market. He took some dresses and wore them like a cowherd. he put a torn out rug on his shoulders and took a color stick in his had rushed to the gateway of the palace. By that time all the participants of the troupe were gone inside. The watchman was standing outside.

"Oh man! I am one of the participants of the drama. I am come late. The drama is yet to commence. Without my role it will not be interesting. Please allow me" Ramakrishna said.

The watchman saw Ramakrishna in the cowhered and decided to allow him inside. But he expected some money from Ramakrishna. "Alright. I allow you to go, But while you return what are you giving to me?" the watchman asked.

Ramakrishna smiled. He understood that the watchman is corrupt.

"Sure, King Krishnadevaraya is an art lover. After he witnesses our acting he will pay us liberally. I shall give you half of it. Are you happy?" Ramakrishna replied.

The watchman allowed Ramakrishna to go inside.

Ramakrishna went inside. But there was another gate where also a watchman was standing. He also stopped him at the gate. Ramakrishna who had experience told the watchman that he will be given the share and went inside.

By the time Ramakrishna entered the king's court. The play was already commenced. The audience were enjoying the drama. Ramakrishna put all his efforts to come on the stage. Drama had come to an end. The actor who acted the role of krishna was in the front. Ramakrishna hit him on his back by his stick. The actor fell on the stage shouting "Oh! I am dying, help me.".

Ramakrishna holding the stick on his shoulder like mace, saluted the king and said:

"Oh!  Lord! What sort of Krishna he is? He killed so many giants like putani, Shakatasura, Dhenuka and others few minutes back. But he has fallen down just for one hit by my stick".

The audience laughed. The King also laughed. He thought that Ramakrishna is also a person belonged to the troupe.

The person in the cowherd role has acted well. He will get first prize" The king announced.

The owner of the troupe came forward and told the king that Ramakrishna does not belong to his troupe. The king got angry. He could not tolerate the indifferent behavior of Ramakrishna.

"Who are you? Tell the truth" the King questioned.

"Lord, What the owner of the troupe is telling is not correct. My name is Ramakrishna. I am a devotee of Kali, the goddess. I just come here to see you in this disguise. But I found no humor in the drama. How can drama look better without humor. Throughout the play, people sitting here have not laughed not even once. That's why I acted to make all of you laugh" Ramakrishna replied.

Krishnadevaraya could not stop laughing.

The person who played Krishna's role suffering from pain told the king: "Sir, Let it be. But why should this man beat me for no fault of mine?"

The King also felt it.

"Ramakrishna. What you did is not correct. It is your behavior. You have to be punished. The prize I want to give you is one hundred whip shots!"

The King said and ordered his servants to beat him there and then.

The audience who were all laughing were now in agony. But Ramakrishna didn't worry. He was calm. Smiling he said: "Oh King! I don't disobey. I follow the order. But out of the hundred whip shots I wish fifty whip shots have to be given to the watchman in the main gate and other fifty to the watchman in the inside gate as I have told them that they will be given share"

Ramakrishna explained the King about the corrupt gate keepers.

The King was glad to know the intelligence of Ramakrishna. He immediately summoned the gate keepers and enquired. They accepted their mistake. Soon they were removed from the job.

The King garlanded Ramakrishna and said: "Ramakrishna, you are sincere. From to day onwards you be one of the scholars of the court and keep us all laughing. I have given you the title.

The audience clapped joyously and congratulated Ramakrishna.

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