English Stories

 Hard Knocks: In the capital city of Vijayanagara, there lived a washerwoman by the name Peepli with her husband, Damodar, and daughter, Chameli. She was known in the town for her excellent service. Her husband used a bullock cart to transport people’s laundry. Peepli would make the clothes shine like new after each wash. She used the ancient Indian formula for soap and the technique of repeatedly beating the wet clothes on a smoothened flat stone. However there was a problem. Peepli thought just like the clothes she dealt with every day, she could keep her husband also a man of clean character by beating him. Her parents used to beat her as a child telling her that it would make her a good disciplined child. Poor woman carried this wrong idea to her adulthood. Damodar bore the brunt of her onslaught every evening. He suffered through it partly because the concept of divorce did not exist in those times and partly because he loved his family. Moreover he got habituated to the abuse...

 The Annual Contest: Holi, the festival of colors, was celebrated every year with great pomp and festivities in the the Vijayanagar empire. King Krishna Deva Raya and the royal family used to be part of all the celebrations enthusiastically. There was an added excitement for the courtiers on that auspicious day. At the end of the day’s events the king used to give away two awards: The Biggest Fool and The Cleverest Wit. Throughout the year, the courtiers would gather all the stories of foolishness and pick the best to be presented before the King on that day. But over the years, Tenali Ram would always win both the awards. Obviously the courtiers fumed with jealousy about this. They feared that this year also things were not going to be different. So the most cunning amongst them decided to prevent Tenali Ram from appearing in the court on that Holi day. With this in mind they reached Tenali Ram’s house early in the morning. Tenali Ram was consulting his notes for the day in prepar...

 The Keen Observer: Here is the challenge for the day, '' proclaimed King Krishna Deva Raya as soon as the court had assembled one day, “We want to know who among you can deduce most from sheer observation. In the center of the court you can see that two identical earthen pots are hung. One of them is has gold coins and the other is empty. If you accept the challenge and identify the pot with gold, it is yours to keep. If you pick the wrong one, you will be banished from the court for two months and should pay a fine in gold coins. Let us see who is the cleverest among you. '' The courtiers were used to such weekly challenges from the King. Initially all of them used to take the risk and take part. But within a few weeks, they figured that it was going to do them only harm. The King’s challenges were difficult. After burning their fingers a few times, majority of the courtiers quit participating and became spectators of such events. Only Tenali Ram, the brilliant minist...

 The Castle in the Air: All the courtiers saw that the King Krishna Deva Raya was worried that morning. He sat on the throne lost in deep thought with a frown. Tenali Ram, being a friend and well wisher of the king, on top of being his cleverest minister wanted to find out what was bothering the king. Just like how a human cannot function properly if he has a headache, the kingdom will suffer if the king is not his full self. “Please share with us your thoughts, Dear King, if you don’t mind,'' said Tenali bowing to the King. “The dream I had this morning is haunting me, Tenali'', said the King |''Was it a nightmare, your majesty?'' “Quite the contrary, Tenali. I dreamed of a magnificent castle. A castle that was virtually floating in the clouds. It studded with so many precious stones that their shine made the palace brilliant even in moonlight. Rivulets of honey and milk flow inside its walls. It is always spring in its fragrant gardens and it rains exa...

 Master of Disguise: Chatur Pandit spent one year learning the art of disguise secretly of a great yogi who was visiting Vijayanagar. At the end of the training, the yogi declared that Chatur Pandit has learnt enough to be able to do disguises that fit his physical stature. It would take several more years of arduous training and testing before he could become a master of disguise like the yogi. But Chatur Pandit was impatient. He wanted to declare himself the master of disguise and that is precisely what he did as soon as King Krishna Deva Raya had assembled that morning. “Beloved King, “bowed Chatur Pandit, “this humble servant of your royal highness is now a master of disguise. I have completed hard training and testing. I can transform myself to almost anything I wish to. The transformation will be utterly realistic'' Chatur continued lying confidently about his abilities as he was sure that nobody will go in search of the wandering yogi to find out the truth. Tenali Ram wa...

 The Golden Swan: We have been best friends and neighbors since childhood. He grows vegetables and I am a rice farmer. In last month’s unexpected rains, most of his harvest was destroyed and his fields became waterlogged. '' The other man continued the story,''Like a good friend should do, Ramu helped me in time of my need. He offered me a section of his land where I could plant some fast growing vegetables. Yesterday while I was tilling the land, I found this golden swan. “Shamu immediately came to me with it. He insists that since it was found in my land, it belongs to me,'' said Ramu “I think that is the right thing to do,'' Shamu said. “But he was the one who discovered the statue and I had already given the land to him. So I think it belongs to him. But he will not accept it. '' complained Ramu. “Very interesting,'' Krishna Deva Raya was amused. “Who can settle this dispute among these friends? Who does the swan belong to? It looks l...

 The Secret of Weaving Invisible Fabric: A gorgeous woman entered the royal court of Sri Krishna Deva Rayalu when he was busy with the courtiers. With all her pleasing manners, attire and conversation, she attracted the gathering that day. After a little dialogue with the King and his prime staff, she took out the most delicate and flimsiest sari from a small box that would hardly be sufficient to place a pair of ear-tops. Exhibiting the saree to the royal court attendants, she addressed the king, “King of Kings! A group of divine weavers are working for me. They can weave similar delicate, thinnest and beautiful saris. They are capable of weaving celestial fabric, which cannot be seen with the naked eye. “If we have your majesty’s blessings and support in addition to appropriate allocation of funds, they can do wonders and exhibit before the honourable King. '' Satisfied with the exhibit, Rayalu believed her words. Allotting required funds for weaving the celestial fabric, Ray...

 Ramalinga Dares to Criticize Rayalu’s Composition: Sri Krishna Deva Rayalu and his court Bhuvana Vijayam comprising Ashta Diggajas was taken as a model by many kings and kingdoms in and out of the Indian sub-continent. Rayalu was known for his fondness towards literature and his patronage towards poets and composers. The Ashta Diggajas in Bhuvana Vijayam are Allasani Peddana, Nandi Thimmana, Dhurjati, Madayya Gari Mallana, Pingali Surana, Tenali Rama Krishnudu, Ayyala Raju Rama Bhadrudu and Rama Raja Bhushanudu. Rayalu was compared to one of the greatest ever kings of the country King Bhoja, for his inclination towards developing literature and composition. Rayalu himself was a scholar in Sanskrit, Telugu (Andhra) and Kannada. Most famous among the Telugu compositions of Rayalu were Amuktha Malyada, and Vishnu Chitheeyamu. Both the compositions were based on God Vishnus devotees. Life sketch of devotee Vishnu Chitha, Goda Devi’s devotion and God’s testing were the key elements. Go...

 Ramalinga Humiliates Rama Raja Bhushana: It was one of those finest days at Bhuvana Vijayam. King Rayalu along with his Ashta Diggajas was enjoying the literary discussion session that day. Rama Raja Bhushana was known to be a romantic poet, authoring prose and poetry reciting women and their beauty. Rayalu asked Rama Raja Bhushana to frame a stanza on the beauty of women, extempore. Rama Raja Bhushana rose from his seat and thought for a second or two and immediately composed, Naanaa soona vithavai vaasanala naa ghraaenchu saarangame Laa nannolla datanchu gandha phalithabal, kakan bondiyo Shaa naasaa kruthii booni sarva sumassourabha samvasamai Poonen brekshana maalika madhukaree punjambui lirvankalakun Rayalu was impressed about the way Rama Raja Bhushana described the beauty of woman instantly. Pleased over, Rayalu appreciated him and felicitated him with one thousand gold coins. Ramalinga, as everyone knows is not for sitting quite on any happening. He sprung off his seat to s...

 The Weird Wells’ Wedding Invitation: During the period when Sri Krishna Deva Rayalu was ruling the Vijaya Nagar Empire with Hampi as his capital, Mohammedan Sultans were ruling Delhi. The Sultans were powerful and were ruling many parts of Northern India. They were always attempting to invade on Hindu ruled kingdoms and grab them into their fold. For declaring war the Sultans used to find one or the other ploy. The Delhi Sultan once got an idea to insult and instantly he sent a wedding invitation to Sri Krishna Deva Rayalu. Going through the contents of the invitation, the royal court Bhuvana Vijayam and the King Rayalu went speechless. The invitation read as: Wedding Invitation We proposed to perform marriage to the newly dug Well in our kingdom. We have the pleasure of inviting all the wells in your kingdom to attend the ritual and their (the wells) presence is solicited. Delhi Date:XX/XX/XXXX The Sultan of Delhi. The tremor did not stop there. A warning letter was attached alon...

 How an Elephants’ fleet junks in a mosquito’s throat? Among the Ashta Diggajas in the Bhuvana Vijayam of Sri Krishna Deva Rayalu, the King for his ingenuity, quick wittedness, and fast filling of stanzas when at test particularly favoured Ramalinga. Rayalu was renowned as Andhra Bhoja and Poets Paradise. With his inherent qualities of wit and sarcasm, Ramalinga was growing big and closer to Rayalu day after day. With no change in the rule, the more you grow the more envious you become, the other courtiers like Rama Raja Bhushana were against the growth of Ramalingas association with the King Rayalu. Whenever there is a possibility, those courtiers, and Rama Raja Bhushana had been working out for damaging Ramalingas image and sling mud on him before the King. Ramalinga efficiently countered these efforts and trials of courtiers all the time. At one stage, as these personalities were unable to compete with Ramalinga in wit and ingenuity decided to humiliate Ramalinga. They handed ov...

 Ramalinaga and Ramayana Recital: Vikrama Simhapuri (presently Nellore town) was part of Vijaya Nagar Empire under the rule of Sri Krishna Deva Rayalu. This place was famous for wicked and cunning women. These women with their uncommon intelligence added to their beauty and appeal used to defeat scholars and experts to transform as their domestic slaves and servants. A prostitute Kanchana Mala among them was too notorious in this regard. In the name of satisfying Ramayana recital, she framed twisty and wicked rules, which made all the competitors lose in their battle against the woman. The ladys reputation along with her condition filled Ramayana recital issue spread all over the region and no one was dared to step into her house to compete with her. In case any one ventured, lured by the stunning beauty of Kanchana Mala they too were definite to lose and become either a slave or a servant to her. One day, Ramalinga visited Vikrama Simhapuri on his personal accomplishments. Complet...

 Ramalinga Wins the War Before Drawing Swords: Rama Sastry was a renowned scholar in reasoning, logic, and grammar. A wish lied in his heart to compete with Ashta Diggajas in Bhuvana Vijayam of Sri Krishna Deva Rayalu. The wish strengthened with the passage of time. With the desire in him, he appeared before the King Rayalu, one day when he was in his usual literary sessions with the eight jewels of his court. Hey King of Kings, Rama Sastry presented salutations to Rayalu, You are the beacon of the Vijaya Nagar Empire! With your pleasant looks poetry, literature and composition are flourishing in this region. I bow to you with all respects. Sastry continued, The hear and say about the Ashta Diggajas in your Bhuvana Vijayam, their command over various divisions of literature. They all are reputed and their names are uttered with respect in the scholars and learned circles. I seek your kind permission to question them and know about their efficiency in their concerned arenas. King Ra...

 Arya Demon Chanting Hymns: Tenali Ramalinga clearly understood that Thathacharya was furious on him. He is just a court poet, while Thathacharya is the royal family teacher and priest. If Ramalinga tried to confront directly with Thathacharya, that might ruin him similar to the situation, a lamb smashing her head when it collided with a mountain to knock it down. Analyzing all the situations in detail and taking comparison of the strengths, Ramalinga decided to encounter Thathacharya with intelligence and not directly waging a war in the open. Since then, Ramalinga started enquiring about the weaknesses of Thathacharya. In this process, one day Ramalinga managed to speak in isolation with Thathacharyas night watchman Bhadrudu. Carrying a small package in hand, Ramalinga addressed him, Hey you, Bhadrudu! If you can give me a small information, all the 100 Varahas in this package will be yours. Bhadrudu’s eyes sparkled on hearing ‘100 Varahas’. It was equal to his two months salary ...