There was a renowned scholar of Kashi, named  Vidyasagar. He was well versed in all subjects. He had also travelled to many  parts of North India and had defeated several scholars in the debates. Once, he  came to Vijayanagar along with his disciples. At Vijayanagar, the king welcomed  him as his guest, with due respect.

During his conversation with the king, Vidyasagar said," Your Highness, I  have heard of the eminent scholars of your court. I will be pleased to  participate in a debating contest, with your scholars. If I am defeated in the  contest, I will surrender all my titles to them. If it is on the other way, they  must accept me as their master." His utterance created dismay in the minds of  all the learned men in the court.Krishnadevaraya agreed to have the contest on the next day and sent  Vidyasagar to the guest house. Then, he called all the scholars of his court and  asked them," Who are all ready for the debate? The scholars bent down their  heads in silence. Seeing their inability, the king got enraged. But, Tenalirama  came forward to meet the challange of Vidyasagar. Though Krishnadevaraya was  surprised at his decision, he made necessary arrangements for the contest.Next day, Tenalirama along with the other great scholars entered the court  with pomp and show. He was very elegantly dressed. The scholars who followed  Tenalirama, were shouting slogans in praise of him. Tenalirama was carrying a  big book covered with silk lace.

This scene made Vidyasagar, dumbfounded.As per schedule, the king signalled for the debate to begin. At once,  Tenalirama, pointing his finger at the book on a desk, invited Vidyasagar for a  debate on that book. When Vidyasagar was curious to know the name of the book,  Tenalirama revealed its name as "Thilakashtamahishabandhana". The scholar from  kashi had never heard of this book. At the same time, he did not want to face  the defeat so soon. So, he told the king, "Your Highness, I remember to have  read this book long back. I need sometime for me to refresh. Hence, I may be  permitted to have this discussion tomorrow." The king honoured his request.  Vidyasagar and his disciples returned back to their camp.The name of the book, was indeed a riddle for him. He was certain that, he  will embrace the defeat on the next day. Hence, to avoid the disgrace in front  of others, he and his disciples ran away from Vijayanagar on the same night.The king was very much surprised to hear this. He asked Tenalirama to bring  that book which made the scholar to run away. Tenalirama carried it to the  court. In front of the king he removed the silk cloth with which it was  covered.

To the surprise of all, there was no book. On the other hand, there was  a sesame stick tied with a rope. On seeing this Krishnadevaraya wanted an  explanation from Tenalirama. Then Tenalirama explained by identifying each  item," My Lord, This is the 'Tilakashta', the sesame stick and this one is the  'mahishabandhana' a rope which is normally used to tie the buffalo.  'Tilakashtamahishabandhana', simply meant,' tied up sesame stick'."Then, the  king laughed to his heart's content. He thanked Tenalirama for saving the  prestige of the country, and honoured him with valuable gifts.(Tila, kashta, mahisha and bandhana are sanskit words and they  correspondingly mean as sesame, stick, buffalo and that which binds (a rope).