Tenali Raman’s Clever Maneuver Saves the Day

When the Mughal threat loomed over Vijayanagaram, King Krishnadevarayar bolstered his cavalry and distributed ponies to trusted locals, providing 15 silver coins monthly for their upkeep. Among the recipients was Tenali Raman, who saw an opportunity to address an urgent personal need—feeding his family amidst rising prices caused by the kingdom’s focus on national defense.

Raman housed the pony in a sealed room, feeding it a mere handful of dried grass daily while using the allocated funds to sustain his household. Months later, the king summoned all the ponies to the durbar for inspection. While others obediently presented their well-fed horses, Raman hesitated, suggesting his pony was “difficult to handle.”

The king sent his bearded Muslim General, an expert horse handler, to retrieve the pony. Peering through the feeding hole, the General was suddenly attacked—by the pony! Mistaking the General’s beard and moustache for fodder, the starved horse yanked with all its might. The situation escalated as the General cried for help, and only the swift action of onlookers, armed with a knife to cut his beard, saved him from the pony’s clutches.

The General finally brought the pony to the durbar, having to demolish the wall of Raman’s makeshift stable to do so. The king was furious and asked Raman why the horse was kept in such poor conditions.

Raman responded with his characteristic wit, “My king, I gave the horse a handful of dried grass daily. Even with that meager diet, it caused such havoc. Imagine the chaos it could unleash if fed sumptuously!”

The king’s anger melted into reflection when Raman continued, “My lord, while the kingdom allocates wealth to defense, many of your people are starving. Perhaps some of these funds could be redirected for their welfare.”

The king recognized the truth in Raman’s words. He decreed a reduction in defense expenses to allocate resources for social welfare, ensuring that the people’s needs were met. As a gesture of gratitude, he rewarded Raman with 15 gold coins, acknowledging his wisdom and courage in pointing out a critical flaw in governance.

Moral of the Story:
True strength lies not in amassing power but in balancing the needs of defense and the well-being of the people. Wise rulers prioritize their subjects’ welfare alongside national security.