This is a popular story about Ramakrishna. This story is an answer to the

question - how could a boy without formal schooling become a scholar? Who

knows what truth there is in it? Later, in the king's court two gifts of Ramakrishna,

namely his sense of humor and his courage, were amply exhibited. He could see

the comic side of any situation. So he was able to see every situation from a new

angle. The second quality was his courage.

Accompanied by his mother Ramakrishna came to Vijayanagar. The

comfort, the prosperity and the grandeur of the capital filled him with wonder. He

made inquiries and taught that artist, men of letters, scholars and experts

enjoyed royal patronage. Krishnadevaraya (who ascended the throne in 1509)

was most generous to men of genius.

But how was Ramakrishna to catch the king's eye? Who would introduce a

total stranger to the king?

Ramakrishna realized that only his talent had to open the doors of the

court to him. He waited every day near the main gate of the palace waiting for an

opportunity.

Many days passed, and every day he returned home disappointed.

At last he got an opportunity. A famous 'Bhagavatha Mela' troupe (a

troupe of actors in a folk-play) from Tanjore came to Vijayanagar to give a

performance before the king. Ramakrishna learnt that this troupe would stage a

play called 'Krishna Leela'. Members of this troupe carried with them the special

costumes required for the play. On seeing this troupe, Rama Krishna thought of a

plan. He returned home and dressed himself like a cowherd boy. Carrying a big

churning stick on his shoulder he returned to the main gate of the palace.

There was a guard sporting big moustaches, near the main gate. He

stopped Ramakrishna who was striding in and shouted at him, "You there! Who

are you? You seem to think you're a big man, you don't have to ask for a

permission to enter!"

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