Tenali Ram

As Birbal was popular amongst the courtiers of the emperor Akbar in northern India, similarly Tenali Ram was popular in the court of Maharaj Krishan Dev in southern India. He was intelligent and clever. Observing his learnedness, people had advised him to try his luck in the royal court. They were certain that the king would certainly appreciate him for his outstanding intelligence and will reward him too.

On the advice of all, Tenali Ram decided to try his luck in the royal court and he set out on the journey after formal preparations. But at the entrance of the palace, the sentinel stopped him. He said that we had instructions not to allow entry to any new person. Tenali Ram pleaded much and told the sentinel that he was sure that the king would be pleased to meet him and would reward him too. After several pleadings, the sentinel agreed to allow him entry on the condition that Tenali would give half of the reward to the sentinel. Tenali had no choice, so he agreed and the sentinel allowed him entry.

But the problem did not end here. At the kings court, he was stopped by the another sentinel

saying that Tenali had no entry permit to visit the court. Tenali had to plead his case here again. After great difficulty, the sentinel allowed him entry on the condition that he would give half of the reward money to him. Tenali Ram had no choice but to agree to the proposal and so he promised to give half of the reward money to the sentinel.

When Tenali Ram appeared before the king, the king after ascertaining his formal introduction, asked him certain questions to test his intelligence and Tenali gave satisfactory answers to all of them. The king was so impressed with the intelligence of Tenali Ram that he asked him ‘say what award would you like to have? Tenali Ram said, ‘My Lord, please promise me first that the reward I ask, would not be refused. The king giving proof of his generosity said, ‘O.K. tell us. It will not be refused.’ Tenali Ram said, ‘My Lord, I wish that I should be whipped hundred times as a reward. The king and the other courtiers were taken aback. None could believe that a man of an outstanding intelligence will ask for such a reward. The king lovingly asked Tenali, ‘Please think again. Hope you have demanded it wrongly.’ Tenali Ram politely said, No my lord, I have asked for hundred whippings only. The king kept quiet and with a gesture instructed his guards that the wish of Tenali Ram be fulfilled.

When the king’s guard came with a whip to start whipping, Tenali Ram asked him, ‘Please wait. Before coming here I had promised to the sentinel of the main gate of the royal palace that whatever reward I get, I will give half of it to him. So I request that the first fifty whippings should be given to him. With the instructions of the king, the sentinel was called. The king asked him, ‘Had Tenali Ram promised to give you half of the reward.’ He admitted.

All right give him fifty whippings. The guard obeyed. After the fifty whippings, the guard moved towards Tenali for the remaining fifty whippings. Tenali Ram again requested him, ‘Please wait. Before entering this court I had promised to the sentinel at this court gate also that I will give half of the reward to him. So the remaining fifty whippings should be given to him. Immediately the sentinel was called and asked whether Tenali Ram had promosed to give him half of the reward to him. He also admitted. The king said, ‘All right, give him fifty whippings.’

The king was much pleased to notice that how cleverly Tenali Ram had punished the corrupt sentinels. He then offered a bag full of gold coins to him and also appointed him as his minister.