In a world of credit cards, endless spending, and instantaneous online purchases, financial advice is regularly limited to budgeting apps and investment calculators. However, long before the advent of fintech, one human used only wit, observation, and common sense to solve complicated problems, including money problems. That human’s name? Tenali Raman — the witty poet and master strategist to King Krishnadevaraya.
While his stories are primarily noted for their comedic value, they also deliver some unexpectedly actionable money advice in terms of avoiding scams, living within your means, engaging in better negations, and taking a long-term view of your wealth-building potential. Tenali was never merely a jester entertaining the royals; he wanted his people to think. To this day, his stories bring a much-needed lens to personal finance. Ultimately, we can walk away with the awareness that intelligence, not income, is the real compass to wealth.
Tenali Raman showed us that the smartest spender is not the one who counts coins. The smartest spender is one that thinks before they spend. Rather than preach, he used stories and the natural ability of humans to draw meaning from them, to prove that wit can ultimately trump weight. At a time when consumption clouds the matter, Tenali’s insight on long-term wealth and investment provide a check to reality, with a twist of humour.
So, when you are hoping to save at the grocery store, conveniently avoid digital marketing traps, or just to build wealth, turn your life over to Tenali. His ancient wisdom will act as your financial advisor that you never knew you wanted!
This article explores the humour and wisdom of Tenali Raman—not to amuse, but to serve. By hearing his stories, you will learn about how the wisdom of the ages might influence our worldly finances, assist with more intelligent financial initiatives, escape the money pitfalls, and make you laugh while doing it.
#1 Spot the Fake: Don’t Be Deceived By Appearances
Story: A sadhu, professing to be a wandering sadhu, came to the village of Tenali Raman and made his rounds, taking gifts and money for blessings. All believed in the sadhu’s gift—until Tenali asked a few hard questions based on holy text. The sadhu could not answer and his lies were no more hidden. In a matter of moments, Tenali had saved the village from future deception.
The Lesson: We like to think we are smarter than the average consumer, but marketing in recent times has grown on just what that sadhu used: costume, confidence, and charisma. Consider this: how many times have you purchased a product based on its trustworthiness, only to discover it was just eye-candy (manual product waste) due to a fancy label, neat packaging, or a well-placed celebrity?
Tenali’s story exposes issues at the centre of modern living. In this modern world, a pretty lie is often more than a well-founded truth. Whether it be a Rs 3,000 “wellness product”, a course discount, or a trendy gadget that promises a productivity boost of 10-fold, the significance of glossiness is often intended to dominate over scepticism, and drain the pockets in the process.
What makes this lesson so timeless is its extraordinarily simple message: don’t succumb to sparkle. Be critical. Examine what you are buying, not the vendor’s pitch. Financial wisdom begins with a concerted act of courage to question and assess the decision to take on a purchase of any size (not limits). To see and spot the fake serves to save your financial position but to also build upon your mindset. In a world of many expensive lies, that is immeasurable value.
#2 Outsmarting Your Problems Instead Of Spending Money!
Story: When Tenali Raman learned of thieves planning to rob his house, he did not rush to hire guards or spend money on expensive locks. Instead, he painted his house a dull, weird, eerie black and claimed it was haunted. He added freaky lights and noises. The robbers did not even think about robbing Tenali’s house, they were too scared of being robbed.
The Lesson: In today’s world, when something goes wrong, whether it be a drain that is leaking, a device that is broken or something else urgent, we immediately tend to spend money rather than to think. We are happy to have someone else do it, or we buy a new one, or we pay a premium for a faster “solution.” What Tenali is teaching us is that it might not always be about money, it can also be about thinking.
We live in a society built around convenience rather than creative; why fix something when you can replace it? Why think when you can pay? This habit of convenience is costing you, and slowly reducing your savings. Tenali’s trick with the haunted house teaches us that thinking can sometimes be as powerful as money and perhaps, even more rewarding.
Not all problems, whether they are minor issues at home or considerations of life decisions, have to be solved through a financial solution. Instead of invariably thinking the answer is in your wallet, you should also think the answer might be in your mind – in your head. Sometimes the best investment is simply in thinking – not in rupees. When money becomes your only tool, suddenly all problems look like an opportunity for you to buy yourself out of it. Tenali suggest we “think first” and only then, spend with intent and only when necessary.
#3 Don’t Show Off, Show Up
Story: Ahead of an important royal event, Tenali’s wife encouraged him to wear the entire gold jewellery collection they owned to impress the other nobles. However, Tenali chose more simple attire for the royal event. His wife dutifully put her jewellery on before their journey back home. Upon his return, it was reported that the robbers had attacked the well-dressed guests, while Tenali walked back home unharmed and unnoticed.
The Lesson: With Instagram reels, instant ads and peer pressure to show off the life we want to live, the temptation to show off is at its highest now than it has ever been. With new gadgets, weddings on the beach, and shiny brands wanting us to be successful, we struggle every day to show others our wealth—even as we stretch our finances. However, Tenali’s quiet choice made a bold statement: impressing other people before we have what we need to spend is usually the first step to being broke.
While showing off gets attention, it seldom delivers peace of mind. The comparison, debt, and chase to keep up with your neighbours continues to build stress. Simple living and smart spending creates a place of freedom and flexibility and resilience. Tenali’s message is clear – it is better to be quietly rich than loudly broke. Flourishing is not based on what the world can see, it is about how safe, stable, and secure you feel when nobody is watching you. Real wealth does not yell; it whispers!
#4 Talk Your Way to Value: The Value of Negotiating
Story: Once, a royal barber wanted Tenali to pay ridiculously high for a haircut. Instead of paying or arguing, Tenali offered the barber a letter of recommendation to the king. The barber agreed, and his recommendation provided him with a job in the royal court which was worth more than he asked Tenali for.
The Lesson: Tenali realised that money is not the only currency. In today’s world there are too many people that feel negotiating is awkward or cheap. Not negotiating can end up being a lot more costly than you think, on rent, services, freelance work, even EMIs and subscriptions.
It is clear Tenali was not trying to get out of paying – he was trying to demonstrate that you can create value with words not just with cash. Whether it is bartering services, negotiating a discount, or offering an alternative, the ability to express your value or question a price is an incredible superpower that you didn’t even know you had.
Negotiation is not greed – it is wisdom. It teaches you to slow down and think; to ask questions, and to seek equilibrium. Just like Tenali, sometimes your words can buy you more than your wallet ever could.
#5 Think Like a Gardener, Not Like a Gambler
Story: When the villagers ridiculed Tenali, for planting a mango sapling, as it would be years until it would produce any fruit, he simply replied, “I eat mangoes today because someone planted trees long ago. And now it is my turn.” He watered the tree knowing full well that it would one day provide nourishment for future generations.
The Lesson: We are living in an instant world – same day delivery, one click shopping and fast, free returns. So it is no wonder that long term thinking is seen as outdated. But just like Tenali’s sapling, wealth created slowly will be wealth that lasts.
Whether it is by way of investing in a SIP, starting a PPF or building an emergency fund – all of these are long term modern mango trees. They will not produce fruit over night, but when they eventually do, they will protect, provide and empower.
Gamblers chase crypto booms, penny stocks and flash sales. Gardeners contribute consistently – sometimes in small amounts – with the mentality of compounding. Tenali did not just plant a tree; he planted a mentality. That is a seed that is worth planting.
#6 Stay Calm When Money Gets Messy
Story: When Tenali was confronted at his door by a creditor seeking repayment, he did not panic. He invited the man in, offered him a meal, told some jokes, and kept it friendly. By the end of the creditor’s visit, he also agreed to extend the repayment deadline – without any fuss and without any tension whatsoever.
The Lesson: Money problems can throw even the most calm people off-course. Being late on an EMI payment, stressed about debt repayments, or facing an unexpected medical expense can cause fear, leading to avoidance. But Tenali has shown us that the most ineffective way to deal with money problems is to go silent, or to shut down. Transparency, grace, and emotional regulation are three valuable tools you have in your money toolkit.
Banks offer restructuring solutions, landlords offer grace periods, and many people want to help – if, and only if you talk to them. You have got nothing to lose but to stay calm, get connected with your creditors, and see what they are willing to do, no one suffers alone. Panic shuts doors to all sorts of possibilities. Remaining calm opens doors to new possibilities, like conversations. While Tenali did not have to plead to the creditor – he simply made it human, which is what made the difference.
You may not be able to make your money problems go away, but you can reduce money stress by staying grounded, being honest, and addressing it early, just as Tenali did.
In conclusion, Tenali Raman did not use a big bank balance to live smartly, he just used his brain. He demonstrated that living smartly around money is not about spending more, it’s about thinking before you spend.
In the “crazy-busy” world we live in with all the offers, advertisements, and pressures to keep up, Tenali Raman is saying slow down, ask questions, and be smart before you buy. A little cleverness can save a lot, like Tenali.