Tenali Raman Takes Vengeance on Tathacharya

After becoming the court jester of King Krishnadevaraya, Tenali Raman built a home for his family and settled down comfortably. However, he still remembered how Tathacharya, the royal priest, had once insulted and humiliated him. Raman quietly waited for the right opportunity to teach the arrogant priest a lesson.

Tathacharya had a strict daily routine. Every morning at 4 a.m., he went to the Tungabhadra River near the palace to bathe. According to sacred rules, a royal priest was forbidden to bathe naked in public. Yet, proud and careless, Tathacharya ignored the customs, saying, “I will do as I please. No one can question me.”

One day, Raman decided it was time for payback. He secretly followed Tathacharya to the riverbank and watched as the priest undressed before stepping into the water. When Tathacharya was fully immersed in his bath, Raman quietly took his clothes and hid them nearby.

After finishing his bath, Tathacharya came out and was shocked to find his robes missing. Shivering and embarrassed, he looked around and saw Raman standing calmly at a distance. He immediately realized who was behind the prank.

“Raman, please give me my clothes!” the priest begged, forced to stay half-submerged in the cold water.

Raman smiled and reminded him, “Do you remember how you once insulted me when I came to you in Vijayanagar, though I had helped you before in Mangalagiri? Now you know what it feels like to be humiliated.”

Ashamed, Tathacharya pleaded, “Forgive me, Raman. Please return my clothes.”

Raman agreed but on one condition: “You must carry me on your shoulders to the palace as repentance for your arrogance.”

Having no choice, Tathacharya accepted. Raman returned the clothes, and the priest, still humiliated, carried Raman through the crowded streets toward the palace. People laughed loudly at the sight, and Tathacharya finally realized the folly of his pride.

Moral: Pride and arrogance always lead to humiliation. Respect for others earns true honor.