Tenali Raman and the greedy Brahmins
Preface :-
Raman was a brahmin boy from Tenali, which is a town in Andhra Pradhesh, India. On one hand he was very mischievous but, exceptionally intelligent and humorous too. It is because his wit and wisdom, he became the Court Jester of King Krishna Deva Raya belonging to Vijayanagar Empire, Andhra Pradhesh. This collection of Tenali Raman stories are the most fabulous and humorous ones, written in an simple and enchanting way!
King Krishna Deva Raya's mother was very religious. She is kind and generous. On day she had a desire to distribute mangoes to the Brahmins. So she asked his son to do the same. But, Unfortunately, his mother died the very same day. Krishna Deva Raya was in deep distress by, loosing his beloved mother. He was inconsolable. With a heavy heart, he did the last rites of his mother.
Suddenly, a thought struck him. He remembered her last wish. So he called some Brahmins and told them that "My mother had a wish to distribute the mangoes to brahmins, but fate has something else in store! She could not do that, due to her sudden death. Please accept my mothers charity in behalf of me."
The brahmins were greedy now. They discussed the matter upon themselves and told, "There's a only a single way where your mother's soul shall rest in peace." The King asked curiously, "Please suggest me that way. I shall do anything for my loving mother." "You have to give the golden mangoes to the Brahmins", replied the brahmins.
The King agreed and invited them the following day. This invitation reached to the witty Court Jester, Tenali Raman. Tenali understood the intensions of the greedy brahmins and decided to punish them. So, he too invited the brahmins to his house. He pretended to be sorrow and told them, "Please come to my house tomorrow. It is my mother's death anniversary. I would like to gift you all something."
The brahmins accepted the invitation and were charmed. The next day, the brahmins went to the palace. The King admired them by the giving the golden mangoes. The Brahmins were delighted and the blessed the King. Then, they went straight to Tenali's house desiring to get more gifts. But as soon as they went, they were welcomed by servants having hot iron bars. The brahmins asked astonishingly, "W...what for th...these hot b...bars for?"
Tenali replied gently and wisely that his mother suffered from a disease known as rheumatism. I wished to burn her legs to relieve her pain, but I could not do that because of her sudden death. So, O brahmins I wish to burn your legs so that my mother's soul shall rest in peace. Now the brahmins voiced, "How can your mother's soul rest in peace if our legs are burned?" "Similarly the King's mother. If her soul can get peace by giving golden mangoes to you, then why can't my mother's soul get peace if I burn your legs?", opposed Tenali.
Now the brahmins were caught in their own trap because of their greediness. They promised him that they shall never act like this again and returned all of the mangoes to him. Tenali Raman gave back the golden mangoes to King saying, "Charity should be done Majesty, but in a wise manner." He told how the brahmins have befooled the king. The King thanked Tenali and glorified him for his knowledge and wittiness.
Key Words :-
1. Inconsolable : Not able to console or comfort a heart-broken person.
2. Curiously : Eagerly; Excitingly.
3. Jester : Here, A royal witty person.
4. Intension : Purpose or aim for doing something.
5. Astonish : Surprise
6. Rheumatism : Disease which afflicts your joints.
7. Glorify : To praise or congradulate.
