In the village of Tenali lived a man called Ramakrishna. He was admired by one and all for his quick wit and intelligence.

One day, Ramakrishna met a sage who was visiting his village. The sage was impressed with Ramakrishna and wanted to do something for him. The sage told Ramakrishna, “Rama, I will teach a very sacred mantra. Go to the Kali Temple on the outskirts of your village and chant this mantra one thousand and eight times. Goddess Kali will appear before you and bless you.”

Smart that he was, Ramakrishna learnt the mantra in no time. That night, he went to the Kali temple and prayed as the sage told him to. Pleased with Ramakrishna’s devotion, Goddess Kali appeared in front of him.

When he saw the Goddess, Ramakrishna started laughing.

Seeing a mortal laughing instead of getting scared, Goddess Kali got angry. She asked, “Why are you laughing at me?”

Ramakrishna replied, “I have only one nose, and whenever I have a cold, I have difficulty taking care of my running nose. You have so many faces. The thought of you with a cold made me laugh.”

Kali was amused. Pleased with his wit, she said, “I will give you a special boon. You have a choice between this sweet milk and sour curd. If you drink the milk, I will bless you with unlimited intelligence. If you consume the curd, then you will be blessed with unimaginable wealth. Think carefully and choose wisely.”

Ramakrishna thought for a few minutes and then replied, “I cannot decide without seeing both of them. Can I hold them, please?”

Kali gave the two bowls to Ramakrishna. Ramakrishna took the bowls and drank both the milk and curd before Goddess Kali could react.

Kali was furious. “I told you to drink one. And you took both? How dare you?”

Ramakrishna replied, “I beg your forgiveness, Mother Kali. But what is the use of one without the other? Wealth without intelligence is temporary, and intelligence without wealth is of no use. Hence I took both.”

Kali wanted to be angry with Ramakrishna. But she was so pleased with his quick thinking that she blessed him saying, “You will have both wealth and intelligence, Rama. From now on you will be called “Raman of Tenali”. You will be a vikatakavi¹ and your fame will spread throughout the Kingdom.”

Eventually, Ramakrishna became an advisor to King Krishnadevaraya of Vijayanagara and was one of the Ashtadiggajas² in the King’s court.

¹ a witty and intelligent poet who can write on any subject

² Eight Poets