Tenali Raman Outsmarts Soldiers on the Thungabhadra

Following King Krishnadevaraya’s furious order to execute Tenali Raman, two soldiers eagerly volunteered to carry out the sentence. They harbored personal grudges against Raman and were more than willing to ensure his demise. Raman, however, remained calm and formulated a clever plan to outwit them.

The Journey to the River

The execution party journeyed along the banks of the Thungabhadra River. Raman, walking between the soldiers, suddenly paused and said, “Before my execution, I wish to offer a final prayer in the sacred river. It will bring peace to my soul.”

One of the soldiers, wary of Raman’s wit, replied, “If you try to flee underwater, what will we tell the king? He will punish us instead.”

Raman smiled and reassured them, “I have no intention of escaping. Stand on either side of me with your swords raised. If I attempt to flee, you can strike me down without hesitation. This way, you can fulfill your duty and avoid any punishment from the king.”

Convinced by Raman’s words, the soldiers allowed him to wade into the river. They stood on either side of him, swords drawn, ready to attack if he attempted to escape.

A Deadly Trick

Raman stepped into the water, closed his eyes, and appeared to pray. Moments later, without warning, he dove underwater. The soldiers, alarmed by his sudden movement, swung their swords simultaneously to prevent his escape. Tragically, their swords struck each other, severing both their heads. Their bodies fell into the river and were carried away by the current.

Raman’s Return to the Court

Emerging from the river unharmed, Raman quickly made his way back to the palace. When he appeared before the king, Krishnadevaraya was shocked and exclaimed, “Raman! You’ve escaped! How is this possible?”

Raman bowed respectfully and recounted the entire incident. “Oh, great king, your anger over a wall of paintings has claimed the lives of two loyal soldiers. Human lives are far more valuable than walls or paintings.”

The king was deeply moved by Raman’s words and realized the gravity of his impulsive decision. He revoked the death sentence and ordered the palace walls to be repainted in a more sensible and thoughtful manner.

Moral of the Story:

Anger clouds judgment and often leads to irreversible consequences. Decisions made in haste can cause more harm than good.