Tenali Raman Outsmarts Scholar with Clever Trick

King Krishnadevarayar was renowned for his generosity and hospitality, especially towards scholars from all over. He would welcome anyone seeking knowledge and engage in intellectual debates. One day, a scholar from Orissa arrived at the royal court. He was a renowned scholar with a reputation that preceded him, and he boldly challenged the inmates of the durbar to a debate.

The scholars at the court, aware of his expertise, were intimidated by his prowess. They all hesitated to face him in a debate. The king, feeling the pressure to uphold the prestige of his kingdom, encouraged his scholars to step forward, but no one dared to accept the challenge.

Finally, the king turned to Tenali Raman, who was known for his sharp wit and intelligence. Raman, confident in his abilities, agreed to take on the scholar. To prepare, he placed a book wrapped in red silk cloth before the scholar and said, “This is a rare book called ‘THILAKASHTA MAHISHA BANDHANAM.’“

The scholar, intrigued by the unfamiliar name, asked, “What is this book?”

Raman replied confidently, “It is a very rare and ancient text. I challenge you to debate with me on its contents tomorrow.”

The scholar, both curious and unsure, accepted the challenge. That night, he lay awake, pondering the book. “I have never heard of such a book. I must find it,” he thought. Determined to win the debate, the scholar planned to leave for Orissa at first light to search for the book, hoping to learn from it and use it in the debate.

The next day, the scholar lied to the king, claiming he was ill and needed to leave Vijayanagaram to recover. The king, though disappointed, allowed him to go. Once in Orissa, the scholar searched high and low for the mysterious book, but despite his best efforts, he could find no trace of it. Frustrated, he realized he had been tricked.

The scholar returned to Vijayanagaram, defeated and embarrassed. When he arrived at the palace, he found the king waiting for him. The king asked Raman, “What trick did you play to make him flee?”

Raman smiled and opened the silk cloth to reveal not a book, but three simple items: sesamum, firewood, and a rope. He explained, “THILAM means sesamum, KASHTA means firewood, and MAHISHABANDHANAM means a rope used to tie a buffalo.”

The king burst into laughter, realizing how cleverly Raman had outsmarted the scholar. The scholar, though humiliated, couldn’t help but admire Raman’s wit.

In recognition of his cleverness, the king rewarded Raman with a diamond ring, much to the joy of the court.

Moral:

Knowledge and wit can be more powerful than mere scholarly reputation. Sometimes, a well-thought-out trick can teach a lesson that no debate can.