Koteswara Rao was a rich but dishonest money-lender in Hampi. He was hated by people because he charged a high rate of interest and cheated the poor out of their savings. Stories of his dishonesty had reached Tenali Raman who decided to teach him a lesson.
He went to Koteswara Rao and asked him for two large vessels for cooking as he was going to have a big feast at his house. Koteswara agreed. “But you have to pay five varahas as rent,” he added. Tenali Raman paid the rent and went off with the vessels. Two days later, he returned the vessels and also gave Koteswara Rao two smaller vessels that were exactly like the big ones.
“These are baby vessels that were born to the large ones you gave me,” he explained. Koteswara Rao took them, smiling quietly. He thought Tenali Raman was a fool to give him such a profitable deal!
Sometime later, Tenali Raman came again asking for some more vessels as he had to arrange another big feast in the city. The greedy Koteswara Rao was extremely happy to lend them to him because he could now get more ‘baby vessels’!
“Sir,” he told Tenali Raman, “all my vessels are pregnant. So I am sure in two days you will return them with baby vessels.” Tenali Raman loaded the vessels in a cart and went off.
But days went by and there was no sign of Tenali Raman or the vessels. Koteswara Rao was becoming restless. He watched the road to see if he could see Tenali Raman bringing back a cartload. But there was nothing coming. Finally, becoming very impatient, Koteswara Rao went to Tenali Raman’s house.
“Well, sir, you have not yet returned my vessels. More than two days have passed. Where are they?” he demanded.
“Oh, dear! I must tell you some sad news. All the vessels died while giving birth to baby vessels. So now, I can’t return them to you. I am so sorry,” said a very apologetic Tenali Raman.
“Rubbish! Vessels cannot die giving birth to baby vessels! Whoever heard of such nonsense!” thundered Koteswara Rao. The argument grew and grew into a big fight. Finally, both of them landed up in Krishnadeva Raya’s court seeking justice.
The King heard them out. “But vessels don’t have babies, do they, Koteswara Rao?” he asked, “Then how can they die while giving birth to baby vessels. How did you accept baby vessels earlier from Tenali Raman, if you know that this is impossible?”
Koteswara Rao was trapped. He hung his head in shame. Tenali Raman had taught the greedy man a lesson he never forgot.
