drama enacted by Ramakrishna and said, "Tell me the true reason for your

behavior. I have excused you, as you have made me laugh." Then Ramakrishna

narrated the entire story of his life.

On hearing his story, Krishnadevaraya said "Ramakrishna, there are

seven mighty scholars in my court. But there is yet a place for one who can

provide mirth and laughter. Accept the place, be our Comic Poet and one of the

eight famous Poets." So saying, the king honored Ramakrishna with the special

robes of his court.

Tenali Ramakrishna has attained fame as a great jester. He was equally a

great scholar and a poet. He was the author of one of the five great Telugu

classics 'Panduranga Mahathme' (The Greatness of Panduranga). A man who

composed poetry in the king's court and won such fame must indeed have been

a great scholar. He was also the author of 'Ghatikachala Mahathme'. It is said he

wrote 'Linga Purana', too. Ramakrishna was one of the advisers to

Krishnadevaraya. The king used to discuss problems with him. Thus

Ramakrishna had learning and sound common sense, and could also consider a

problem seriously.

But by nature Ramakrishna was a jester. He knew that laughter is a

powerful weapon and could be used to expose foolish pride and stupidity. That is

why many stories which highlight his love of humor have gained currency. Some

of them are of cheap and crude humor. It is difficult to believe either that a king

like Krishnadevaraya would encourage a buffoon of crude and vulgar tricks or

that the people would admire such a man. People who thought some stories

were humorous have connected Tenali Ramakrishna with them.

But there are several stories, which illustrate his resourcefulness, his

daring and his methods of teaching proud people a lesson. Some of them are

narrated below.

The Scholar from Kashi Humbled