Tenali Raman’s Disguise: A Humorous Royal Blunder

enali Raman’s wit had once again placed King Krishnadevaraya and the court priest Tathachary in an embarrassing situation. Both men, disguised as women in pursuit of a fictitious beauty, found themselves face-to-face in the same room. The king, realizing that he had been tricked, revealed his identity.

The Revelation

Tathachary, stunned by the majestic voice, immediately recognized the king. “Oh, Your Majesty! How did you end up here, dressed like this?” he asked, bewildered. The king, equally flustered, pieced together that this was all a clever ploy by Tenali Raman.

With both their egos bruised, the king ordered the door to be opened. Outside, Raman waited, a mix of humor and apprehension on his face.

Raman’s Plea

Sensing the king’s rising anger, Raman quickly spoke, “Your Majesty, this was not meant as disrespect but as a desperate act of self-preservation. You’ve sentenced me to death three times already. Each time, I narrowly escaped with my life. If you continue to pronounce death sentences on me, I fear my luck may eventually run out.”

The king, still fuming, demanded an explanation for the ruse. Raman calmly replied, “If you refuse my request, I’ll have no choice but to reveal the full details of tonight’s events to the public.”

The King’s Realization

The king paused, realizing the potential fallout of such a scandal. His fury gave way to contemplation. “The three death sentences I pronounced upon you were, indeed, avoidable. They stemmed from my sudden anger rather than reason,” he admitted.

Tathachary, equally embarrassed, remained silent as the king turned to Raman and declared, “Henceforth, I swear never to pronounce another death sentence upon you, no matter the circumstances.”

A Relieved Raman

Raman, visibly relieved, opened the door to let them out, bowing respectfully. The king, though humiliated, appreciated Raman’s wit and survival instincts. He knew that keeping Raman alive was better than risking his own reputation.

Moral of the Story:

True wisdom lies in acknowledging one’s mistakes and tempering emotions with reason. Anger and ego often lead to decisions that could be avoided with thoughtful reflection.