z:\ ambedkar\vol 011\vol11 03.indd MK SJ+YS 5 10 2013/YS 18 11 2013 135
CONVERSION OF THE HIGH AND THE HOLY
§ 1. Conversion of Yashas
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There lived in the town of Benares a nobleman’s son called Yashas. He was young in years and very attractive in appearance. He was beloved of his parents. He lived in abounding wealth. He had a big retinue and a large harem and passed his time in nothing but dancing, drinking and carnal pleasures.
As time past, a feeling of disgust came over him. How could he escape from this orgy ? Was there any better way of life than the way he was leading ? Not knowing what to do, he decided to leave his father’s house.
One night he left his father’s house and was wandering about ; He happened to wend his way towards Isipathana.
Feeling tired he sat down and as he was seated he said to himself in loud tones: ‘Where am I, what is the way ? Alas ! What distress; alas ! What danger !’
This happened on the night of the same day on which the Blessed One preached his first sermon to the Panchavargiya Bhikkus at Isipathana. Just when Yashas was approaching Isipathana, the Blessed One who was staying at Isipathana, having arisen at dawn, was walking up and down in the open-air. And the Blessed One saw Yashas, the noble youth coming from after giving utterance to his feelings.
And the Blessed One having heard his cry of distress, said : “There is no distress, there is no danger. Come, I will show you the way,” and the Blessed Lord preached his gospel to Yashas.
And Yashas, when he heard it, became glad and joyful ; and he put off his gilt slippers, and went and sat down near the Blessed One and respectedly saluted him.
Yashas hearing the Buddha’s words, requested the Blessed One to take him as his disciple.
Then he bade him come and asked him to be a Bhikku to which Yashas agreed.
The parents of Yashas were in great distress
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