Vikrama Simhapuri (presently
Nellore town) was part of Vijaya Nagar Empire under the rule of Sri Krishna
Deva Rayalu. This place was famous for wicked and cunning women. These women
with their uncommon intelligence added to their beauty and appeal used to
defeat scholars and experts to transform as their domestic slaves and servants.
A prostitute Kanchana Mala among
them was too notorious in this regard. In the name of satisfying Ramayana
recital, she framed twisty and wicked rules, which made all the competitors
lose in their battle against the woman. The ladys reputation along with
her condition filled Ramayana recital issue spread all over the region and no
one was dared to step into her house to compete with her. In case any one
ventured, lured by the stunning beauty of Kanchana Mala they too were definite
to lose and become either a slave or a servant to her.
One day, Ramalinga visited
Vikrama Simhapuri on his personal accomplishments. Completing his job, he sat
with some scholars, reputed persons of the locality, and enquired about the
happenings and specialities of the town. The gathering in a synchronised tone
explained Ramalinga about Kanchana Mala and her urge for satisfactory recital
of Ramayana epic. One of the associates there said that, it was her celestial
beauty and the quantity of reward that was driving scholars to her, who are
finally seen serving her losing the competition.
One of the senior and aged poet
of the region told Tenali Ramalinga cursing her, she is not at all a woman,
and she is wicked of the wicked. It is you, the right person, to defeat and
smash her proudness.
He continued, You should teach
her a right lesson and release all the scholars suffering in her service.
Ramalinga thought, Oh! Kanchana
Mala is that highly impious. He said to the persons around him, That being
the case, I should definitely compete with herby the waywhat is the test she
is winning on? he questioned. One of them explained that she demands the
competitor to recite Ramayana and satisfy her. Every time she says the recital
was not satisfactory and orders the competitor to become her slave. Poor
fellows, what they can do? The condition of the test was to take out a word
satisfied from her after the performance.
Enough! It is alright!
Ramalinga told all of them, She just needs to be satisfied with a Ramayana
concert, I will do it. One of you keep her informed about my willingness to
satisfy her Ramalinga said and headed towards his accommodation. Not one, but
all of them got up to inform Kanchana Mala about Ramalingas compliance to
recite Ramayana at her residence thinking, Yes! Now the time has come for
breaking her.
Ramalinga, in the evening attired
in a disguise went to Kanchana Malas residence. Welcome! Hearty Welcome! O
learned man, Welcome Kanchana Mala invited him.
He told Mala, I have come to
recite Ramayana as if it is happening in front of your eyes.
That was good. Then, are you
aware of the reward and punishments? Mala questioned.
I am aware of those Kanchana
Mala! I have a request paused Ramalinga. Please tell me Sir Mala
immediately responded, Before I complete the total recital you should not say
anything. You should do what ever I say as part of the presentation. After I
complete the narration you can reward me if you are satisfied or punish
otherwise Ramalinga sarcastically stated. She agreed to it and the story
began.
Ramalinga started with the birth
of Rama, Lakshmana, Bharatha, and Sathrughna. It continued with Rama Lakshmana
accompanying with Sage Vishwamithra to protect the celestial sacrifice, killing
Thataka, releasing Ahalya from curse, Ramas marriage with Seetha breaking Lord
Shivas bow, and Ramas migration to forests along with Seetha and Lakshmana on
stepmother Kaikas wish.
Ramalinga was narrating the
episodes with an excellent expression and mannerism in a right modulation.
Nowhere, Kanchana Mala looked to be satisfied as she was commenting You are
not satisfying me. He advanced with the story narration about Ravanasura
kidnapping Seetha, Rama killing Vali, deploying Hanuman to Lanka with the
assistance of Sugreeva. Again Mala screamed, I am not satisfied with your
performance.
Controlling himself from
exploding with anger, Ramalinga convinced her Kanchana Mala! You are telling
me that you are not satisfied with my performance. However, this would be the
best of performance on earth. OK. Let us leave that. Now get ready, you will
witness Ramayana happening in front of you.
Heheheheyeah please continue, I
am in fact waiting for that, she said.
Ramalinga jumped on to her
selectively decorated cot and said, This is how Hanuman jumped on to the Peak
of Mahendra Mountain. Standing erect on the bed he took another flight and
landed on another cot, Like this Hanuma jumped on to another mountains peak.
From there he jumped close to Kanchana Mala and started throwing powerful fists
on her back, this was how Hanuman hit Lankini, who blocked his way from
entering Lanka.
Mala started shouting to the top
of her voice, Oh God! Mother! This man is killing me. Ramalinga in a
commanding tone, I told you not to hinder me in the middle. Now shut your
mouth, Listen completely jumping like an ape, Ramalinga took out a lighted
wisp hanging from the wall. Hanuman returning from the Ashoka garden after
visiting Seetha started torching Lanka and its men like this he gave fire to
Malas clothes and ignited almost all the clothes and inflammables in the
house. While Mala was attempting to extinguish fire on her clothes, Ramalinga
repeated beating her all over stating that was how Hanuman thumped the demons
in Lanka. Mala other than shouting loudly and protecting her from the fire
could not do anything.
Few seconds later, after lighting
all the household material, Ramalinga coolly went to the backyard stood near
the well, this is how Hanuman put out the fire set to his tail by the demons
and started taking bath drawing water from the well.
Looking at the house in fire,
Kanchana Mala went astray and ran out of the house like a mad woman.
Ramalingas sarcastic comments irked her further more, Who else can narrate
Ramayana so lively Kanchana Mala, did you enjoy that?
Cursing, yelling, screaming
Kanchana Mala said, fraud, cheat, he said he will recite Ramayana for me and
set the house on fire. With disturbed clothes and hair, she ran to he local
Court of Law and approached the judge. She sought justice from the judge
explaining the whole episode. Meanwhile, Ramalinga reached there without any
tension appearing on his face.
The Judge questioned Ramalinga,
What is your answer to her allegations? Ramalinga folded hands at the Judge
and appealed, Your Majesty! I do not bear any fault with me. It was she, who
wished to witness a lively Ramayana recital to her satisfaction. Describing
all the past and present deeds of Kanchana Mala, Ramalinga said, Mr Justice! I
believe I am not at fault. In case the honourable court finds any, I am ready
to take the punishment.
The Judge understood that it was
the wicked and proud nature of Kanchana Mala, which brought her to this turn of
life. He scolded her for cheating and humiliating scholars and learned persons
in the name of Ramayana recital and rewards. The judgement made it clear that
Ramalinga did not have any fault to punish and freed him. In addition to this,
the verdict released all the learned men who were serving her as servants and
slaves. Ramalinga received all the appreciations from the people of the town.
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