Tenali Ramakrishna: A Man of Wit and Worldly Wisdom

Teaching a person how to be humble, how to be satisfied with what you have, using wit and wisdom to get out of sticky situations — all of these are lessons taught through the stories of Tenali Ramakrishna. He was one of the Ashtadiggajalu, the 8 court poets under the patronage of King Krishnadevaraya, and was known for his humour and intellect when it came to solving problems.

Tenali Ramakrishna, King Krishnadevaraya's court jester, Source: Katha Kids

Upon reaching Hampi, Tenali Ramakrishna immediately wanted to see King Krishnadevaraya. The guard at the gate didn’t let him enter the palace. Just one look, he begged. When the guard refused him again, he told him that the King would probably give him gifts since Tenali had come from a faraway place just to meet him. He promised the guard that whatever he was given by the King, the guard would get half of it. The guard let him in.

When Tenali was about to enter the court, another guard stopped him. Tenali promised him half of what he would receive from the King. He was finally let inside. Tenali entered the court and ran toward the King, who was furious at the interruption and told his guards to give him a hundred whips. Tenali bowed and revealed to the King his arrangement with the guards outside. The King then ordered the two guards to be given fifty whips each. He was impressed with Tenali’s wit and intelligence and made him the royal court jester.

Born in the 16th century in Andhra Pradesh, Tenali was a Telugu poet, one among the 8 esteemed court poets, Ashtadiggajalu, in King Krishnadevaraya’s court. He was a brilliant man who was able to handle any situation with the utmost intelligence and wittiness. Stories of his quick-witted nature have been adapted into short stories, TV series, and movies over the centuries. He was, and remains to be, a folk hero in the court of King Krishnadevaraya.

Tenali wrote several poems, epic poems, and books. Perhaps the most popular one is titled Panduranga Mahatyam, known today as one of the ‘Panchakavyas’- the five great books of Telugu literature. It is about the legend of Lord Vishnu as Panduranga and the events that took place during his life. Tenali took themes from the Skanda Purana and added numerous stories about Panduranga’s devotees. He also wrote a number of religious texts, most of them being narrative poems.

There is a story where Tenali, using his wisdom and intellect, was able to impress Goddess Kali, earning the moniker ‘Vikatakavi’. A sage told Tenali to chant a mantra 1008 times to invoke the blessings of Goddess Kali. He did that, and Kali appeared in front of him. When he opened his eyes and saw Kali with her 1000 heads, he began laughing uncontrollably. When asked how he could be so audacious, he tells her that he was laughing because he imagined what would happen if she caught a cold and had to sneeze with her 1000 noses. She laughed along, shocked at his bold sense of humour, and granted him a wish.

Source: Amar Chitra Katha

She offered him two bowls, one with curd for wealth, and the other with milk for knowledge, telling him he can only choose one. Tenali asks if he could taste both of them before choosing, and when she agrees, drinks both. He tells her that one is useless without the other. She grants him both and gives him the title of ‘Vikatakavi’, a palindrome in Telugu meaning clown jester poet.

Tenali Ramakrishna’s stories will remain eternally humorous, and witty. It will continue to inspire people to use their intelligence and quick thinking to solve any situations they might find themselves in.