Tenali Raman’s Sandal Trick on the King

Once, during a private conversation with King Krishnadevarayar, Tenali Raman made an unusual statement. He said, “A woman will throw sandals at your face within a year.” Intrigued by this bold statement, the king accepted the challenge, saying, “If that happens, I will give you 100 gold coins.”

Several months passed, and the king’s wedding day arrived. The bride, Saradambal, was the daughter of a landlord from Malanadu. However, her family was unfamiliar with the customs and rituals of the royal family. Tenali Raman, ever the opportunist, saw a chance to turn this to his advantage.

Early in the morning on the wedding day, Raman visited the landlord’s house. He informed the family about a so-called “royal ritual” that was customary in Vijayanagaram. He gave the bride a pair of sandals and explained, “In our kingdom, there is a unique custom during the wedding. The bride throws sandals at the groom’s face when the nuptial knot is tied. Afterward, the groom garlands the bride with the sandals.”

The family, unfamiliar with the royal customs, believed Raman’s story and were caught up in the excitement of the wedding preparations. When the auspicious time for the ceremony arrived, the family handed the sandals to Saradambal. True to the “ritual,” she threw the sandals at the king’s face during the ceremony. The guests were stunned by the unusual act.

But Raman, ever quick on his feet, calmly stepped in and said, “It’s a unique ritual from the Malanadu empire.” The king, recalling his earlier challenge with Raman, remained calm and, without any hesitation, garlanded the sandals around his neck, as per Raman’s instructions.

The guests were left bewildered, but Raman had successfully tricked the king into fulfilling the challenge. As promised, the king rewarded Raman with 100 gold coins for his cleverness.

Moral:

Sometimes, quick thinking and wit can turn even the most bizarre situations in your favor.