The Wit that Won Hearts
renowned: well
known
illustrious:
respected and
famous
patron:
supporter
eminent:
famous
The Vijayanagara Empire was renowned for its glory, wealth,
and cultural achievements. Among its many illustrious rulers,
King Krishnadeva Raya (ruled 1509–29 CE) stood out as a wise
and powerful monarch. His reign is often referred to as the
Golden Era of the Vijayanagara Empire, a
time when art, literature, and architecture
flourished. A great patron of learning,
Krishnadeva Raya was not only an eminent
warrior but also a gifted poet. His works,
such as the epic Amuktamalyada and the
Sanskrit drama Jambavati Parinayam, are
acclaimed even today.
Krishnadeva Raya’s court was home to eight celebrated poets,
collectively known as the Ashtadiggajas. These poets, including
Allasani Peddana and Tenali Ramakrishna, enriched the literary
tradition with their masterpieces. Tenali Ramakrishna, in
particular, was known for his quick wit and humour, earning
him a special place in the king’s court as both a poet and a witty
advisor. His clever solutions to seemingly insurmountable
problems made him a beloved figure in the empire’s history.
Even the wisest rulers face moments of disharmony, and at one
such time, the king had a quarrel with his queen, Thirumalambal,
over a seemingly trivial matter. For weeks, he did not utter a
single word to her, and in his frustration, stopped visiting her
altogether. His absence cast a shadow over the palace, and the
once cheerful corridors seemed quiet and forlorn.
Thirumalambal, distraught and upset, tried her best to resolve
the issue but failed. With no other alternative, she
insurmountable:
undefeatable
trivial:
unimportant
forlorn: lonely
distraught:
extremely sad
decided to seek the help of Tenali Rama,
the court’s brilliant and witty poet. Rama
listened patiently as the queen recounted
the incident in detail.
“The king wrote a poem,” she began, her
voice trembling. “It was filled with vague
expressions—sun, moon, stars, beautiful
sky—but it made no sense. When he tried
vague: unclear
reciting it to his ministers, they all avoided him, making excuses.
It was late evening when he came to me, seeking an audience. He
began reciting it to me, but I was so exhausted after a tiring day
that I yawned— not once, but several times. The king thought I
was disrespecting his poem and stormed off. Since then, he has
not spoken to me. If I had known this would happen I would
have chosen another day. Help me, please, Rama. Only you can
help the king understand.”
strategy: plan
profusely:
in large
amounts
bustling: busy
intricately: in a
detailed manner
exquisite: fine
and attractive
ornate:
decorative
gnawed: (here)
bothered
Rama nodded thoughtfully. “If you like, I will try my best to
resolve this matter, Your Highness. But this needs a well-planned
approach, and I may need time to find the right strategy.” The
queen, who had placed her last hope in Rama, agreed and
thanked him profusely.
The next morning, the royal court was bustling with activity.
Ministers, scholars, and courtiers filled the courtroom, its
intricately carved pillars towering towards the high ceiling. Rays
of sunlight streamed through the open windows, illuminating
the floor adorned with exquisite rugs. Despite the lively chatter,
a tension hung in the air. The king sat on his ornate throne,
his expression stern, his sharp eyes scanning the room. It was
evident that the unresolved quarrel still gnawed at him.
The court discussion was centred on improving paddy cultivation
in the empire. One by one, the ministers rose to present their
ideas. Some suggested expanding irrigation networks, while
others advocated for better manure. Amid these suggestions,
Tenali Rama stood quietly at the edge of the court, observing
everyone with an amused smile.
Finally, the king called upon Rama. The chatter in the court died
down as all eyes turned to him. Rama approached the throne,
carrying a plateful of paddy seeds. Bowing low, he began, “Your
Majesty, I bring you a revolutionary type of paddy seeds. If
these are sown, the yield will be three times greater than the
current results.”
A murmur swept through the room. One of the courtiers, known
for his sarcasm, whispered just loud enough to be heard, “I
wonder if these are magic seeds! Next, he’ll claim they grow
without water.” Another muttered, “Perhaps he found them on
the moon!” Snickers rippled through the court.
The king frowned, unimpressed. “That sounds absurd,” he
muttered. “Such cultivation would need special soil, manure,
and pest and insect repellents. If, by chance, something were to
go wrong, our farmers would suffer.”
Rama smiled, unfazed. “That may be true, Your Majesty, but the
real issue lies not with the seeds themselves but with the person
who sows them.”
yield: (here)
harvest
sarcasm:
mockery
snickers:
suppressed
laughter
absurd: illogical
unfazed: not
worried
furrowed:
wrinkled
sceptical:
doubtful
keenly:
intensely
gesture: a
movement of
a hand or the
head, to express
an idea or
a meaning
A hush fell over the court as Rama’s words hung in the air.
The king’s eyebrows furrowed. “What is wrong with the person
who sows the seeds? Speak clearly, Rama!” he roared.
Rama glanced around the court, his sharp gaze meeting the
sceptical eyes of the courtiers. “If one were to sow seeds without
proper care, no one would reap a good harvest,” he said, pausing
for effect. “And what if the person had a habit of yawning while
sowing? Wouldn’t the seeds scatter unevenly?”
The court erupted into laughter, the earlier sarcasm replaced
by genuine amusement. Even the king, caught off guard, sighed
and instinctively yawned. Rama watched him keenly, then
continued, “Your Majesty, is there anyone in this world who does
not yawn? It is as natural as breathing.”
The king’s expression shifted as realisation dawned. His mind
raced back to the quarrel with the queen. He remembered
scolding her harshly for yawning while he recited his poem.
He realised how unfair he had been. “If I had known that yawning
was not a sign of disrespect, I wouldn’t have taken her gesture
so personally,” he thought, regret filling his heart.
orchestrated:
arranged
brimmed:
overflowed
That evening, the king approached the queen with a softened
expression. “Thirumalambal,” he began, his voice gentle, “I have
been foolish. I see now that I overreacted. I let my pride blind
me. I’m so sorry.”
The queen, who had longed for this moment, smiled and replied,
“If you like, we can leave this quarrel behind us. I would very
much like to listen to your poem.”
Rama, who had orchestrated this settlement, felt victorious. The
king and the queen later presented him with valuable gifts for
his service. The royal couple’s bond was restored, and the palace
brimmed once again with joy and laughter.
A Concrete Example
My next-door neighbour, Mrs. Jones,
has got a garden full of stones:
A crazy path, a lily pond,
a rockery and, just beyond
A sundial with a strange device,
which Mrs. Jones thinks rather nice.
My next-door neighbour, Mrs. Jones,
puts little plants between the stones
They are so delicate and small,
they don’t mean anything at all.
I can’t think how she gets them in,
unless she plants them with a pin.
My next-door neighbour, Mrs. Jones,
once asked me round to see her stones.
We stood and talked about a flower
for quite a quarter of an hour.
“Where is this lovely thing?” I cried.
“You’re standing on it,” she replied.
Reginald Arkell
Wisdom Paves the Way
Characters
The King of Ujjain :
a young King
Four Young Men :
Ram Datt, Shiv Datt, Har Datt, and Dev Datt
The Merchant
Two Sentries
Setting
:
A road leading to Ujjain, visible in the
distance. Later, the King’s court, adorned
with rich tapestries, tall pillars, and
regal decor. The time is midday.
Scene I: The Road to Ujjain
(Four young men—Ram Datt, Shiv Datt, Har Datt, and
Dev Datt—are walking along a dusty road leading to
Ujjain. They appear travel-worn but resolute, their
eyes fixed on the city that looms ahead. The sun is
high, and the distant noise of the bustling city faintly
reaches them.)
adorned:
beautified
resolute:
determined
tapestries:
heavy
decorative
fabrics woven
with pictures or
patterns
bustling: busy
eludes: difÏcult
to obtain
Ram Datt : (Wiping his brow) We have journeyed far from home,
yet the prospect of finding work still eludes us.
Har Datt : How long has it been since we left our village?
Shiv Datt : I believe it has been over a week— perhaps even
longer.
Ram Datt : Ten days, to be precise. Every day feels longer than
the last.
Dev Datt
: Ten days are but a short span in the grand scheme
of things. We may still have many more roads to
wander before we find employment befitting all
four of us.
Ram Datt : If only we could secure an audience with the King
of Ujjain. I am confident he would recognise our
talents and appoint us to his service.
Shiv Datt : I share your belief.
Dev Datt : Indeed, we ought to be united in this hope. That is
why we press on towards Ujjain.
Har Datt : (Pausing thoughtfully) Gaining an audience with the
King is no simple task. We need to devise a strategy.
Dev Datt : Let us reach the city gates first. We can deliberate
once we are closer.
(As they walk, Ram Datt notices something on the
ground.)
devise: (here)
to think of
deliberate: to
think carefully
Shiv Datt : Look there, friends. A camel has passed this way.
The tracks are fresh.
Ram Datt : (Studying the tracks) Yes, let us observe them as we
continue. They may tell us more than meets the eye.
(The four men continue walking, occasionally
stopping to examine the camel’s tracks. They
scrutinise every detail, exchanging glances but
saying little.)
Ram Datt : I have discovered something peculiar about
this camel.
Shiv Datt : So have I.
Har Datt : I, too, have noticed a strange detail.
Dev Datt : (Smiling) It seems each of us has learnt something
unique, yet I believe my discovery is unlike any
of yours.
Har Datt : Let us rest beneath a large tree and share our
findings. But wait—someone approaches in haste!
Shiv Datt : (Peering ahead) It appears to be a merchant,
running as if pursued by trouble.
Ram Datt : A
merchant
indeed,
and
judging
by
his
countenance, he has lost something of great
value—perhaps his camel.
(The Merchant, panting and distressed, reaches the
group. He pauses to catch his breath, then addresses
them anxiously.)
scrutinise: to
look carefully at
in haste: in a
hurry
pursued: (here)
chased
countenance:
facial
expression
distressed:
worried
Merchant : (Breathlessly) Good day, kind sirs.
All Four : Good day, brother.
Merchant : I seek your help. My camel has gone astray. Have
you, by chance, seen it?
Ram Datt : Is your camel lame in one leg, by any chance?
Merchant : (Surprised) Yes, yes, it is!
Shiv Datt : Is it blind in the right eye?
Merchant : Precisely! It is blind in one eye—the right one, as
you say.
Har Datt : And does it have a short tail?
Merchant : (Astonished) You describe it perfectly! Yes, it has a
short tail.
Dev Datt : Tell me, sir, has it not been suffering from a pain
in the stomach?
Merchant : (Taken aback) How could you possibly know that?
The poor creature has been unwell for two weeks
now. Surely you are a healer! I will gladly pay
your fee if you can cure it. But tell me, where is my
camel?
Ram Datt : We regret to inform you that we do not know
where it is.
astray: away
from the
correct path
Shiv Datt : We have not seen your camel, not even once.
Merchant : (Indignant) How can that be? You speak of my
camel as if it stood before you, yet you dare to
claim not to have seen it! You are deceivers! You
must have stolen it and sold it off. I will take this
matter to the King himself.
Dev Datt : You are free to do as you wish, sir. If the King
desires our presence, we shall be waiting under
that banyan tree yonder.
Merchant : I do not trust your words. I will not leave you here
to slip away. You shall come with me to face the
King!
All Four : Very well. We shall go to the King.
(They follow the Merchant towards the city gates. As
they arrive at the palace, the Merchant speaks urgently
to a Sentry. The Sentry leads the Merchant inside.)
indignant:
angry
yonder: over
there