Raman Traps the King and the Priest

Tenali Raman, fearing that his wit alone might not save him from another death sentence, devised a cunning plan to ensure the king never ordered his execution again. Knowing the king’s and the court priest Tathachary’s fondness for women, Raman decided to use their weaknesses against them.

Setting the Trap

First, Raman approached Tathachary and said, “I have a stunningly beautiful woman in my custody. If you wish, you can meet her at my home tonight at 10 p.m. She’s shy, but you can charm her.” Tempted, the priest eagerly agreed.

Next, Raman went to King Krishnadevaraya and whispered, “My lord, I have a rare beauty at my home. She is eager to meet you. If it pleases you, come to my home at 10:15 p.m. tonight.” The king, equally intrigued, nodded in agreement.

Dressing the Actors

Tathachary arrived first, at exactly 10 p.m. Raman greeted him warmly and said, “There’s one condition. This woman is shy, so you’ll need to dress like her to make her feel comfortable. Speak softly in a feminine voice, and only reveal your true self once she warms up to you.” Blinded by desire, Tathachary agreed. Raman dressed him in a silk saree, adorned him with jewelry, and made him sit gracefully on the bed.

Fifteen minutes later, the king arrived. Raman repeated the same ruse, saying, “She’s a timid soul, and she might feel at ease if you dressed similarly to her.” The king, too, agreed, and Raman transformed him into a similarly dressed woman.

The Unveiling

Raman led the king into the room where Tathachary waited, also disguised as a woman. As soon as the king entered, Raman swiftly closed the door and bolted it from the outside. He then peeped through a small gap to witness the unfolding chaos.

The king, believing the priest to be the woman Raman had promised, began speaking in a soft tone. Meanwhile, Tathachary, thinking the same of the king, responded in his own falsetto. As they inched closer, both tried to maintain their “act.” Finally, when they both revealed themselves, the realization hit. Embarrassment turned into fury, and they demanded an explanation from Raman.

Raman’s Clever Escape

Raman entered, laughing heartily, and said, “Oh, mighty king and revered priest, this was but a lesson in the folly of misplaced desires. If you, my lord, can be so easily deceived by such a simple trick, how can you expect me to escape every plot against my life? Promise me you will never order my execution again, and I will ensure such humiliating incidents do not repeat.”

The king, though initially furious, saw the wisdom in Raman’s words. He laughed and declared, “You are truly irreplaceable, Raman. From this day forth, I promise to never order your execution again.”

Moral of the Story:

Unchecked desires can cloud even the wisest minds, leading to embarrassment and folly. Wisdom lies in controlling one’s impulses and thinking rationally.