Lesson-1, Two Boons

Class- 6

Subject-English

Supplementary Book – The Wit of Tenali Raman

By Devika Rangachari

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS:

 Read the lesson carefully, underline the difficult words and refer to the dictionary to comprehend difficult words.  Summary and Question/Answers are to be neatly written in the Practice notebook.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Devika Rangachari has won 19 national awards in competitions for writers of children’s books and stories. Her book named Growing Up was nominated to the Honour List of the International Board on books for young people.

INTRODUCTION:

This is the story of Tenali Raman, the famous court jester of the renowned Vijayanagara Empire of King Krishna Devaraya. He was one of the eight poets of great stature at his court. Not only he was a great Telugu poet, but he was notable for his knowledge and wit. Tenali Raman is also regarded as one of the most popular folk figures in India today.

Lesson-1, Two Boons

SUMMARY:

1. Raman or Ramalinga was born in a village of Andhra Pradesh. His father died when he was very young. Later his mother took him to Tenali. Thus his name changed to Tenali Raman.

2. Raman was an intelligent but very naughty boy. He was very lazy and didn’t want to do any work. He would often play pranks on people or sleep under the Palmyra tree (palm tree) for a nap. His mother and uncle were very worried about his future. Raman’s uncle died when Raman was very young. Hence his mother had to face poverty and many hardships in his upbringing.

3. Once Tenali, the green village was under severe drought. During this time a monk (sanyasi) reached the village. The moment he set his foot on the soil of the village, it began to rain. The villagers except Tenali Raman thought that the arrival of the monk caused the shower. Raman considered it to be sheer coincidence.

4. The monk was impressed by Tenali’s wit and taught him a mantra to invoke the blessings of Goddess Kali.He went to the Kali temple in the night and began to chant it.Suddenly a frightening figure appeared on the scene amidst thunderous voice. It was the Goddess Kali.

5. Raman remained unmoved and simply smiled. The goddess asked the reason of his smile. To this, Tenali responded and said that if she has cold , it would be difficult for her to wipe out the discharge from all the thousand noses with just two hands. She liked Tenali’s mischievous talks, laughed and called him “Vikatkavi”.

6. Later, the Goddess showed two gold pots containing sweet milk of learning and sour curd of wealth to Tenali Raman and asked him to choose any one of them.

7. Raman used a trick and asked the goddess to allow him to taste both of them.By saying this , he drank and emptied the two pots of milk within seconds.

8. He further apologised from Goddess Kali and requested her to make him both rich and wise. But the Goddess cursed him to become both a jester and a great poet.Saying this, the goddess disappeared.

9. Tenali decided to go to Vijayanagara, the court of King Krishna Devaraya as he was famous for promoting poets and writers, the people of intelligence and merit.

QUESTION –ANSWERS:

Q1. Why did the villagers proclaim the monk (sanyasi) as a saviour and a miracle man? How did Tenali Raman react to this? Ans. Once Tenali, the green village was under severe drought. During this time a monk (sanyasi) reached the village. The moment he set his foot on the soil of the village, it began to rain. The villagers except Tenali Raman thought that the arrival of the monk caused the shower and considered him to be a saviour and a miracle man. But Raman considered it to be sheer coincidence.

Q2. Raman remained unmoved and simply smiled as he looked at the Goddess Kali. Give reasons. Ans. The monk was impressed by Tenali Raman’s wit and taught him a mantra to invoke the blessings of Goddess Kali.He went to the Kali temple in the night and began to chant it.Suddenly a frightening figure appeared on the scene amidst thunderous voice. It was the Goddess Kali.Raman remained unmoved and simply smiled. The goddess asked the reason of his smile. To this, Tenali responded and said that if she has cold , it would be difficult for her to wipe out the discharge from all the thousand noses with just two hands. She liked Tenali’s mischievous talks, laughed and called him “Vikatkavi”. Q3. What offer did Goddess Kali make to Tenali? How did Tenali react to it? Ans. The Goddess showed two gold pots containing sweet milk of learning and sour curd of wealth to Tenali Raman and asked him to choose any one of them.Raman used a trick and asked the goddess to allow him to taste both of them.By saying this ,he drank and emptied the two pots of milk within seconds.

SELF- LEARNING

Note: Frame answers on your own to the questions given below. Use the clues to frame them.

Q4. Why do you think that wealth was associated with sour curd? Ans. Wealth associated with sour curd – hardly acquired by pleasant means.

Q5. How was Raman named as Tenali Raman? Ans. Raman or Ramalinga - born in a village of Andhra Pradesh- father died - when he was very young - mother took him to Tenali. Thus he was named as Tenali Raman.

Lesson-2, Going to Court

SUMMARY:

1. In his young age, Raman wished to please Krishna Devaraya and find a place for himself in his court. During this period, Raman got married and had a son.

2. Neither the family ties nor its burden bothered him. At this time, the priest in the court of Vijayanagara named Tatachari came to a holy shrine near Tenali. Raman thought it was easy to become a member of court if the priest helped, as the king revered the priest very much.

3. But the priest was very cunning and thought that he could get all the work done by Tenali. He was also ready to do any work for the priest to become an inmate of the king’s court. He fetched, carried and served Tatachari every day.

4. The priest was impressed by him and promised him to get a job at the court of Vijayanagara. Tatachari then went back to Vijayanagara.

5. Raman also left for Vijayanagara along with his wife and son. His aim was to seek a job in the palace. He reached the priest’s house and informed his servant about his arrival. But as per the order of the priest, the servants did not allow Tenali to enter the house.

6. Without wasting any time, Raman went to Vijayanagara and was amazed to see the huge shops, broad streets and massive temples. He decided to go to the court on his own. That morning there was a great debate between scholars. Due to this, the main hall was thronged with people from many cities who had been invited to watch the battle of wits. Raman managed to enter into the court with other invitees and sat among the audience.

7. In the court, he found that two men were arguing on the topic “illusion”. The confusion on everyone’s face was evident, but they all applauded politely. Raman could not stop himself and gave his opinion. The king was pleased by his wit and appointed him as a court jester. The king also gave him money to buy a house. Raman was happy on his achievement. Finally, his dream came true.

QUESTION –ANSWERS:

Q1.How did Raman manage to enter the court? Ans Raman left for Vijayanagara along with his wife and son to seek a job in the palace. When he reached the priest’s house and informed his servant about his arrival, the priest’s servants did not allow him to enter the house. He was very hurt. Without wasting any time, Raman decided to go to the court on his own. That morning there was a great debate between scholars. Due to this, the main hall was thronged with people from many cities who had been invited to watch the battle of wits. Raman managed to enter into the court with other invitees and sat among the audience.

Q2. Why was the king pleased by Tenali? How did he reward him? Ans. On entering the court of Vijayanagara, Raman found that two men were arguing on the topic “illusion”. The confusion on everyone’s face was evident, but they all applauded politely. Raman could not stop himself and gave his opinion. The king was pleased by his wit and appointed him as a court jester. The king also gave him money to buy a house.

Q3.Who was Tatachari? What promise did he make to Tenali? Did he fulfil the same? Ans. Tatachari was the priest of Vijayanagara. He came to the holy shrine near Tenali.

Raman thought it was easy to become a member of court if the priest helped him, as the king revered the priest very much. But the priest was very cunning and thought that he could get all the work done by Raman. He was also ready to do any work for the priest to become an inmate of the king’s court. He fetched, carried and served Tatachari every day. The priest was impressed by him and promised to help him get a job at the court of Vijayanagara.

No, the priest did not fulfil his promise and refused to help Raman when he came to him for a job.

SELF- LEARNING

Note: Frame answers on your own to the questions given below. Use the clues to frame them.

Q4. Why did Raman want to go to Vijayanagara? Ans. Raman – place in the court- Vijayanagara

Q5. What did Tenali do to please Tatachari? Ans. Tenali was ready to do any work- fetched, carried and served- holy shrine.