Court poet and wise jester (early 16th century)
The story of Tenali Ramakrishna, the court poet-jester of Emperor Krishnadevaraya, is a unique one. From a poor boy who lost his father early in life, he rose to be a well-known historical figure.
Born in present Andhra state during the early 16th century, he grew up in his uncle’s town Tenali and thus the moniker ‘Tenali’ Ramakrishna. In those days, education meant the study of the Vedas, the Upanishads and religious texts. The powerful Vaishnavites, however, did not accept him as a disciple because Tenali was a Shaivite. Even Shaivite scholars, fearing the Vaishnavites, refused to teach him, asking him instead, to beg for a living. Finally he met, according to folklore, a sadhu (sage) who advised him to chant the mantra “Jai Mahakali! Jai Jai Kalika Matha’ eleven crore times with great devotion at the temple of Kalika Devi (Kali).
So, it is said, Ramakrishna sat motionless in padmasana (lotus-legged) posture, closed his eyes and began to chant in the dilapidated ruined temple. Happy with his devotion, Kali manifested on the 11th day and asked him what he wanted. Ramakrishna, instead, started laughing and when questioned, explained, “Divine Mother! When we catch cold, we feel that two hands are insufficient to wipe our only nose. If you catch cold will your two hands be enough to wipe your thousand noses? The thought made me laugh”, he said and sought her forgiveness.
The boy’s smile and sense of humour is said to have pleased Kalika Devi. She blessed him and told him to go to the famous Vijayanagar Empire in the South, where the king would appoint him as court poet. “You will be famous as the great humourist, the comic poet Ramakrishna”.
Folklore has it that Ramakrishna managed to surreptitiously become part of a famous ‘Bhagavatha Mela’ troupe (actors in a folk-play) from Tanjore who were performing a play called ‘Krishna Leela’ before the king. He dressed himself as a cowherd and carrying a big churning stick on his shoulder, bribed the two guards at the gate, who insisted he share with them half of whatever the king gave him. Raja Krishnadevaraya and the courtiers enjoyed the play, but the Raja was upset when he got to know Ramakrishna was an imposter, and he ordered him to be given a hundred lashes as reward! Ramakrishna begged of the king to have the palace guards summoned. When they were ushered in, Ramakrishna asked them: “Did I not promise to give each of you half of whatever the king gave me?” “Yes,” said the two guards. Ramakrishna turned to the king: “Did you hear, Your Highness? They are to share the hundred lashes!” Krishnadevaraya is said to have decided on the spot that Ramakrishan would be the 8th scholar of his court. Tenali Ramakrishna came to be known as ‘Vikatakavi’ (jester poet), and was one of the Ashtadiggajas (eight poets) at the court of Krishnadevaraya, the Vijayanagara emperor who reigned from 1509–1529. He was an advisor and was instrumental in protecting the king many times, coming to his rescue in critical situations with his wit and strategy. He composed works on Hinduism. His great work Panduranga Mahatmyam is remarkable for its sonorous dignity of phrasing, and is counted as one of the Pañcha MahāKāvyas (the Five Great Kavyas) of Telugu literature. He was conferred the title ‘Kumara Bharathi’, for his works. The famous Mahishasura Mardini stotram, the Sanskrit poem of adoration of the Mother Goddess is attributed to him. He also authored Ghatikachala Mahathme and the Linga Purana.
But by nature Ramakrishna was a jester. He knew that laughter was a powerful weapon and could be used to expose foolish pride and stupidity. Many stories which highlight his love of humour have gained currency and have been passed down through generations.