The Debate in Signs

A famous scholar from a far-off land came to Vijayanagara and challenged the wise men of the court to a debate. But this was no ordinary debate. It was to be held entirely in silence, using only signs and gestures. “The truly wise,” he said, “understand each other without words.”

The king’s scholars were nervous. How could you argue without words? What if you misunderstood a sign and looked foolish in front of the whole court? One by one, they found excuses.

The king was embarrassed. “Tenali,” he whispered, “do something.”

Tenali Raman disguised himself as a poor firewood seller, with a bundle of sticks on his back, and walked into the hall. “I will debate with him,” he said.

The scholar looked at this ragged woodcutter with contempt. But a challenge was a challenge. The two men sat facing each other, and the court fell silent.

The scholar raised one finger.

Tenali immediately raised two fingers.

The scholar nodded, impressed. Next he held up his open hand, with all five fingers spread.

Tenali made a tight fist and shook it.

The scholar’s eyes widened. Finally he reached into his bag and took out an egg, and held it up.

Tenali reached into his own bag, took out an onion, and held that up.

The scholar stood up and bowed deeply to Tenali. “I am beaten,” he said to the king. “This man is the wisest I have ever met.”

“Explain,” said the king, astonished.

“I raised one finger to say that there is one God,” said the scholar. “He raised two to say: God, and the world that God made. I showed my open hand for the five elements of the universe. He made a fist to show that they are all held together as one. Then I showed him an egg, to ask about the beginning of all things. And he showed me an onion, with its layers upon layers: to say that the universe is a mystery within a mystery. I have nothing more to teach here.” And he went home.

When he had gone, the king turned to Tenali. “How did you know all that?”

Tenali laughed. “I didn’t, Your Majesty. When he held up one finger, I thought he meant he would poke out one of my eyes. So I held up two, to say I’d poke out both of his. When he showed me his open hand, I thought he meant to slap me, so I showed him my fist. And when he took out an egg, I thought he was showing off his lunch. So I showed him mine.”

The king laughed until he cried. “So he found great wisdom in a firewood seller’s lunch.”

“People often find exactly the wisdom they are looking for, Your Majesty,” said Tenali, “if they’re clever enough.”