The Scholar’s Bundle

A great scholar arrived at the court of Vijayanagara. He wore a fine silk shawl and spoke very slowly, as if every word were a precious jewel.

“I have studied every holy book, every work of poetry and every treatise on science in all the languages of India,” he announced. “There is no book in the world that I have not read, and no scholar who can defeat me in debate.”

The scholars of Vijayanagara shifted nervously in their seats. They had heard of this man. He had beaten scholars in every city he had visited.

The king turned to his court. “Is there anyone who will debate with our guest?”

There was a long silence. Then Tenali Raman stood up. Under his arm he carried a large bundle, wrapped in silk and tied with string, like a precious manuscript.

“I will, Your Majesty,” he said. “But first, I would like to ask our learned guest about a book I have brought with me.”

The scholar smiled. “Ask away.”

“It is a very rare and important work,” said Tenali, patting the bundle. “It is called Tilakashtha Mahisha Bandhanam. Since you have read every book in the world, perhaps you would tell the court about it, before we begin the debate.”

The scholar’s smile wavered. Tilakashtha Mahisha Bandhanam? He had never heard of it. He searched his memory. Nothing. But he had boasted in front of the whole court that he had read everything. He could not admit he didn’t know.

“Ah, yes,” he said slowly. “A remarkable work. Very deep. But it is late, and I am tired from my journey. Let us discuss it tomorrow.”

That night, the scholar lay awake trying to remember a book that did not exist. In the morning his servants found that he had packed his things and slipped out of the city before dawn.

At court the king asked Tenali, “What is this famous book? I’ve never heard of it either.”

Tenali untied the string and unwrapped the silk. Inside was a bundle of dry sesame sticks, and a length of rope.

“Tilakashtha means sesame sticks, Your Majesty,” he said. “Mahisha bandhanam means a rope for tying up a buffalo. Sesame sticks and buffalo rope. That is all it is.”

The court roared with laughter.

“He never even asked to see the book,” said Tenali. “A truly learned man is never ashamed to say, ‘I don’t know.’ It is only a man who pretends to know everything who can be beaten by a bundle of sticks.”