The Silent Escape of Tenali Raman

The great King Krishnadevaraya was enraged when he learned that instead of punishing the priest Tathachary, his soldiers had returned with Tenali Raman. Misinterpreting the situation, the king believed Raman had insulted not just the priest but the dignity of the kingdom itself.

“You dare to mock a revered priest, thereby insulting me! Behead this devil at once,” the king ordered with thunderous authority. “Bring back the blood-stained sword to the army chief as proof of the deed.”

Raman, ever composed, listened silently as the soldiers escorted him out of the palace. The atmosphere was heavy, and everyone in the court awaited news of Raman’s demise.

As they reached the outskirts of the city, the soldiers began preparing for the execution. Raman, with his trademark wit, broke his silence. “Gentlemen,” he said calmly, “killing me would bring you nothing but trouble. What if we create the illusion of my execution and spare my life instead?”

Intrigued, the soldiers paused. Raman suggested a clever plan: they could kill a goat, use its blood to stain the sword, and present it as evidence of his death. In return, he would reward them handsomely and leave the kingdom, never to return.

The soldiers, swayed by Raman’s reasoning and his generous offer, agreed. They sacrificed a goat and stained the sword with its blood. Afterward, Raman slipped away into the night, vanishing from Vijayanagara.

Back at the palace, the soldiers presented the blood-stained sword to the army chief, who confirmed the execution to the king. While some in the court mourned the loss of the beloved jester, others, including Tathachary, celebrated what they believed was the end of their rival.

Meanwhile, Tenali Raman lived on, his cleverness ensuring he outwitted death itself, once again proving that wit is mightier than the sword.

Moral of the Story:

Quick thinking and a sharp mind can turn even the most perilous situations to your advantage. Courage and wit are powerful tools in the face of adversity.