One time many scholars gathered into a crowd and challenged Bhattar to a philosophical debate. Bhattar agreed, took them on and defeated them. Even then they wanted to test his knowledge.

So, they put a snake in a vessel, closed its mouth and asked Bhattar "Please identify what's in this vessel".

Bhattar replied "The white umbrella of the Lord is in it".

The scholars laughed and opening the vessel showed Bhattar the snake as it left the vessel. They then asked him "Is this the umbrella of the Lord?"

Bhattar replied "Is it not? Did not Azhvar say senRAl kudaiyAm?"

(Poygai Azhvar's description of Adisesha the snake in Muthal ThiruvandhAdhi pasuram 53 is

senRAl kudaiyAm irunthAl singkAsanamAm
ninRAl maravadiyAm nILkadaluL - enRum
puNaiyAm maNiviLakkAm pUmpattAm pulgum
aNaiyAm thirumARk aravu

That is, he is an umbrella when the Lord walks about, a seat when He wants to sit down, footwear when he stands, and so on).

The scholars greatly wondering at Bhattar's knowledge praised him and left.