Andhra Pradesh, Folktales from India
Published on 12/06/2025
Comments 17

Tenali Rama’s Dream

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Tenali Rama or Tenali Ramakrishna (born Garlapati Ramakrishna; also known as Tenali Ramalinga was born as ; 22 September 1480 – 5 August 1528) was a Telugu poet, scholar, and advisor in the court of Sri Krishnadevaraya of the Vijayanagara Empire. Hailing from Tenali, he earned acclaim as one of the Ashtadiggajas, a group of eight celebrated Telugu poets in Sri Krishnadevaraya’s court, and is best known for his sharp wit and humour. His literary contributions include the notable work Panduranga Mahatmyam, which is regarded as one of the five great Telugu Kāvyas. He is often referred to by the title “Vikatakavi,” meaning “jester poet,” reflecting his unique ability to blend humour with wisdom. Tenali Ramakrishna’s legacy continues to inspire various cultural adaptations in literature and media

A Folktale from Andhra Pradesh

One day the king announced that he had a dream. ‘You know, Tenali Rama, you and I were walking in a strange place, just the two of us. We came to a path between two pits. One of them was filled with honey, and the other was a cesspool, filled with shit, piss and garbage. The path was narrow, but we had to cross it. As you and I tiptoed on this path, we both slipped. I fell into the pit of honey, and you fell into the cesspool filled with shit.

All the courtiers laughed and clapped. They were delighted that this pest, Tenali Rama, had got his dew at least in a dream. The king said further, ‘I drank all the honey I could and somehow clambered back on the path. But you, poor fellow, were still struggling in all that shit. And just as you were about to climb onto the path, you slipped and fell back, head-first this time. Then I woke up.

The courtiers all laughed their heads off. Only Tenali Rama didn’t.

But the next morning he was back at the court, this time with a dream of his own. ‘Yesterday, your highness told us a dream. Last night I had a dream, and it continued where you left off. You climbed out of the honey pit, and I after trying many times, got back to the path. But you and I couldn’t really go back into that state, could we? So I licked all the honey off your body with my tongue, and you then cleared me off in the same way.

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Hi, I am Narayan Kaudinya. And i welcome you on this journey, the Road to Nara ! I am an Ethnographer and a practicing Indologist. I did my masters in History and further learnt Sanskrit, Yoga and Nerve-therapy. At 24, pushing most academic sounding, office sitting works away, i felt compelled to know and understand the world and my country, Bharat/India. I travelled, and as it happened i took up teaching in Kashmir and further up in the remote villages of Baltistan in the foothills of Karakoram Ranges. For around three years and many states later there came a time when i felt that it was only while teaching i learnt how to laugh, to see, feel, breathe, love and cry -with children, and mostly resource-less parents in the harshest-freezing border conditions. I write, and work as a documentary photographer and Filmmaker, with numerous published, exhibited and some awarded stories. In my travels and life i have let nature lead me, the divine mother, and as a Yogin, my resolve here is to share my experiences and thoughts as honestly, and through them to blossom in everyone the power and possibility in pursuing your breath, that you seek your true nature with courage and curiosity. Here, on this road i will share my spirit, my love for nature, the elements of life that are us. And in doing so, i'll be happy to see you along.

17 Comments

  2. Pingback: Tenali Rama’s Dream | Ned Hamson's Second Line View of the News

    • Narayan Kaudinya's avatar
      Narayan Kaudinya says

      Haha, yes jerry and there must have been only a rare few who could take on and uae his wit to balance it out with even the best of Kings sitting at highest chair.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
    • Narayan Kaudinya's avatar
      Narayan Kaudinya says

      Hi made me smile to read you laughed and giggled. Happy compliment.

      Thank you coming over and writing. Also I couldn’t come on to your site, dont know if the link is broken, do see

      🌸

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
    • Narayan Kaudinya's avatar
      Narayan Kaudinya says

      Tenali Rama stories and even his depiction on television was a favourite. Recently i started watching it again and result are these stories. There are quite a few more i shall be sharing this year.

      Thank you Lakshmi Ji for your important comments.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

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