Most people are superstitious. They accept all kinds of things without checking if they are true or not. So one day, when a man who looked saintly came to the outskirts of Hampi, people gathered to meet him.
The man, who looked like a sage, gave beautiful sermons and performed some magical miracles in front of the people. They were very impressed! What a great saint this is! People began to come to the place where he sat to have a look at him. The crowds grew. People came carrying gifts and money as offerings. The ‘sage’ was enjoying himself hugely. He was never hungry and he began to collect all the money and sleep with it in a bag under his head.
The news about the sage travelled across the city and soon reached Tenali Raman’s ears. He decided he must see this saint with his own eyes. So one morning, he too joined the crowds that were going to see the sage.
The sage sat on a platform under a tree. Sometimes he closed his eyes in an attitude of prayer. Sometimes he raised his hand blessing the crowd of devotees. Sometimes he counted his prayer beads. People came up to him with their troubles and he offered them advice. He would reply, reciting some mantras or shlokas.
Tenali Raman was sitting close by. He could hear the sage speak to the people. He soon discovered that the man was reciting the same mantras and shlokas to all the people! “This fellow is a fraud!” thought Tenali Raman, “And these poor folks are being fooled by his appearance and his cunning behaviour. I must find a way to expose him.”
After a while, he had found the solution to the problem. He went near the sage, bowed to him and, before moving away, Tenali Raman swiftly pulled out a strand of hair from the man’s beard.
“I have found it! The way to heaven!” he yelled, holding up the strand of hair in his hand. “See! I have a strand of hair of the venerable saint! He is so learned and wise. Anyone who has a relic from him will certainly go to heaven!” said Tenali Raman excitedly.
“Oh, yes!” thought the crowd and they all rushed towards the sage to take some more strands of hair from his beard or his head. The ‘sage’ saw the people rushing at him and knew that the only way to save himself was to run from there.
And he ran, and ran, and he did not stop till Hampi had been left far, far behind!
