Dharmaviveka: Moral Discernment

When right is hard and wrong is easy

Two tales about choosing right over easy. In The Bribe, Tenali must decide between personal gain and justice. In The Friend's Request, he faces the hardest kind of choice - disappointing someone he loves to do what's right.

The Bribe

A wealthy merchant named Suryaprakash came to Tenali's house late one evening.

"Tenali Rama," he said with an oily smile, "I need your help with a small matter in court."

He placed a heavy bag on the table. Gold coins clinked inside.

"One hundred gold coins," the merchant said. "Yours, if you speak in my favor tomorrow."

"What is the case?" Tenali asked.

"A minor dispute. A farmer claims I cheated him on a land deal. He says I moved the boundary markers. Nonsense, of course!"

"Did you move the markers?"

The merchant laughed. "What does it matter? The farmer is poor and illiterate. He has no proof. But if the famous Tenali Rama speaks for me, the king will believe you. And I'll be very... grateful."

He pushed the gold closer.

Tenali looked at the money. One hundred gold coins. That was more than he earned in a year. He could buy his wife beautiful saris. He could repair his house. He could help his relatives.

And what harm would it do? The merchant was probably right that the farmer couldn't prove anything. The case would likely be decided in the merchant's favor anyway. All Tenali had to do was... stay quiet. Or say a few words.

"You haven't answered my question," Tenali said quietly. "Did you cheat the farmer?"

The merchant's smile flickered. "These are complicated matters. Boundary lines, old maps..."

"Yes or no."

A long pause. Then: "The land is better used by me. The farmer wasn't using it properly anyway. I made a... business decision."

Tenali pushed the gold back.

"Keep your money, Suryaprakash. I will not speak for you. In fact, I will speak for the farmer."

"WHAT?" The merchant's face turned red. "You fool! Do you know how much power I have? I can make your life difficult!"