The Last Wish
This story takes us to the times of king Krishnadevaraja. During that time the Brahmins in his court were greedy. Hence to check on them the king said that his dying mother’s last wish was to eat a mango. Hence he requested the Brahmins if there was any way to get the mangoes as the mangoes were not available [off season]. He wanted them urgently so that his mother’s soul could rest in peace. One of the Brahmins said, it would be great if the king made 108 mangoes of pure gold and offer it to the Brahmins. As usual Tenalirama, the witty minister of the king decided to teach the Brahmins a lesson. During the feast held to honor the king’s mother, Tenalirama gave instructions to the servants to place red hot iron rods on to the Brahmins feet. The king was astonished and asked Tenalirama the reason behind this deed. At once Tenalirama said since the late mother was suffering from arthritis and made a request before dying, that her feet to be touched with red hot iron. Since he was not able to fulfill her last wish, he decided to this to the Brahmins so that her soul could rest in peace. His explanation was if the brahmins were given golden mangoes to keep the mother’s soul in peace, she could also get comfort when the red hot iron rods touch the Brahmins feet. To this reply the king had a hearty laugh and the heads of the brahmins bowed in shame. This shows the clever logic that Tenalirama used.
Source: Om Books International
This story takes us to the times of king Krishnadevaraja. During that time the Brahmins in his court were greedy. Hence to check on them the king said that his dying mother’s last wish was to eat a mango. Hence he requested the Brahmins if there was any way to get the mangoes as the mangoes were not available [off season]. He wanted them urgently so that his mother’s soul could rest in peace. One of the Brahmins said, it would be great if the king made 108 mangoes of pure gold and offer it to the Brahmins. As usual Tenalirama, the witty minister of the king decided to teach the Brahmins a lesson. During the feast held to honor the king’s mother, Tenalirama gave instructions to the servants to place red hot iron rods on to the Brahmins feet. The king was astonished and asked Tenalirama the reason behind this deed. At once Tenalirama said since the late mother was suffering from arthritis and made a request before dying, that her feet to be touched with red hot iron. Since he was not able to fulfill her last wish, he decided to this to the Brahmins so that her soul could rest in peace. His explanation was if the brahmins were given golden mangoes to keep the mother’s soul in peace, she could also get comfort when the red hot iron rods touch the Brahmins feet. To this reply the king had a hearty laugh and the heads of the brahmins bowed in shame. This shows the clever logic that Tenalirama used.
Source: Om Books International
2 comments:
Nice reading this piece...interesting.
Thanks Kalyan
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