One day, a great and clever scholar came to Vijayanagara and requested an audience in the court of Sri Krishnadevaraya. The scholar bragged that he had mastered all subjects and also defeated many scholars in a battle of wits across India. There was no pundit (a learned person/ scholar) in India who could beat him.
Saying that, he challenged Sri Krishnadevaraya for a battle of wits with his esteemed eight poets. The king accepted the challenge and started the battle of wits. All the poets were getting defeated one after the other, and the scholar seemed to know every subject.
At last, it was Tenali Rama’s turn. He took out a book covered in yellow silk cloth and said, “Oh, great scholar! Let us have a debate on any topic you choose from this great piece of literature called Thilaka Mahista Bandhanam.”
The pundit was startled; he has read thousands of books in several languages but never heard about this book. He bowed his head in defeat and left the court.
Sri Krishnadevaraya was joyous because Tenali Rama’s intelligence had saved the reputation of his court. At the same time, he was curious about that piece of literature. After facilitating and rewarding Tenali Raman, the king asked him what Thilaka Mahista Bandhanam was.
Rama laughed and removed the silk cloth. To everyone’s surprise, it was not a book, but a bundle of twigs tied with a rope to appear like a book.
Rama then said, “Oh great king, ‘til’ means mustard; ‘kastha’ is stick, and ‘tilakastha’ means ‘sticks of mustard plants;
“This rope is used to tie oxen, which makes it ‘mahisha bandhana’ as ‘mahisha’ means ox and ‘bandhana’ means to bind.”
“I just used the Sanskrit names of all these things, and the pundit got scared thinking that this was some unknown piece of literature.”
The whole court laughed, and Sri Krishnadevaraya praised Tenali Rama for his wit, astuteness, and humor.
Moral of the story
Do not be arrogant about knowing everything. There is definitely something that you do not know.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who was Tenali Raman, and what is he known for?
Tenali Raman was a Telugu poet, scholar, and thinker. He was a highly intelligent diplomat famous for folktales inspired by his exceptional wit and humor.
2. What was the role of Tenali Raman in the court of King Krishnadevaraya?
Tenali Raman was the special advisor of King Krishnadevaraya of Vijayanagar.
3. How did the stories of Tenali Raman and Pundit Ramakrishna impact the culture and society of India?
Folktales of Tenali Raman tackle real-life issues and teach life lessons to children.
Be it Tenali Rama And The Great Pundit, Tenali Rama and Brinjal Curry, Tenali Rama And Cat, or Tenali Rama And Bragging Soldiers, every Tenali Rama story has a moral that introduces readers to view their life more mindfully and approach every challenging situation carefully.
Key Pointers
- The story revolves around a clever scholar boasting about his intellect and challenging the king to a battle of wits.
- Despite defeating many scholars, he meets his match in Tenali Rama, who tricks him with a clever ruse involving a bundle of twigs disguised as a book.
- The tale concludes with the moral lesson of humility and the folly of arrogance, teaching readers the importance of not presuming to know everything and remaining open to learning.
- Tenali Rama stories and folktales help children learn life lessons and tackle real-life issues.
Tenali Raman is a beloved character from Indian folklore. Watch this video to learn about the timeless tales of wit, wisdom, and humor, perfect for kids!
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