Ramakrishna was carrying a big book covered with laced silk. He put it on
a desk, looked around and asked in an arrogant voice ': "Who is he, the scholar
who wants to face me in a debate?" Ramakrishna's show had already astounded
the scholar from Kashi; he stood up and said, I am the man."
The king indicated that the debate might begin. Forthwith Ramakrishna
pointed his finger at the book on the desk and said, "Let us argue about this book
known as 'Tilakashtamahishabandhana."
The opponent perspired in fear.
The books he had read were countless. But he had never heard of this
book! He wanted to ward off the immediate blow. He said to Krishnadevaraya, "I
remember to have read this book long ago. I shall study this book tonight and
discuss it tomorrow." With this submission he withdrew to the camp with his
disciples.
The scholar from Kashi spent the entire night thinking about the book.
'Tilakashtamahishabandhana' remained a riddle! He had never heard of that
book! He was afraid he would be disgraced if he stayed, and left with bag and
baggage that very night.
The news both surprised and delighted the king. He called in Ramakrishna
and said to him: "if the very name of the book made the scholar from Kashi run
away, it must be a mighty work. Well, let me see it." Ramakrishna removed the
silk cover and replied, "Your Highness, this is no classic. Please look here is a
small stick of the plant sesame this is 'Tilakashta’. Here is the rope to tie the
buffalo with. That is the 'Mahisha bandhana'. I have just tied the sesame stick
with the rope that is all! "On hearing this explanation Krishnadevaraya went into
peals of laughter. In appreciation of Ramakrishna's Clever-ness he gave him a
big prize. (In Sanskrit, 'tila' means sesame, 'kashta' means a stick, a buffalo is a
'mahisha', and 'bandhana' is that which binds.)
A Lesson to the Greedy
