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