z:\ ambedkar\vol 011\vol11 03.indd MK SJ+YS 5 10 2013/YS 18 11 2013 146
146 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
having gained full knowledge, said to the Blessed One : “In former days, Lord, when I was a prince, I entertained five aspirations ; these are now fulfilled.
II
“In former days, Lord, to me when I was a prince, came this thought : ‘O that I might be inaugurated king !’ That was my first aspiration, Lord ; that is now fulfilled. ‘And might then a holy one, a fully Enlightened One, come over into my kingdom !’ This was my second aspiration, Lord ; that is now fulfilled. ‘And might I minister to that Blessed One !’ That was my third aspiration, Lord ; that is now fulfilled. ‘And might he, the Blessed One, preach the Dhamma to me !’ This was my fourth aspiration, Lord ; and that is now fulfilled. ‘And might I understand the Dhamma of that Blessed One !’ This was my fifth aspiration, Lord ; this is now fulfilled. These were my five aspirations, Lord, which I entertained in former days when I was a prince.
“Wonderful, Lord ! Wonderful, just as if one should set up, what had been overturned, or should reveal what had been hidden, or should point out the way to one who had lost his way, or should bring a lamp into the darkness, in order that those who had eyes might see things, thus has the Blessed One preached the Dhamma in many ways. I take refuge, Lord, in that Blessed One, and in the Dhamma, and in the fraternity of Bhikkus (monks). May the Blessed One receive me from this day forth, while my life lasts, as a lay disciple who has taken refuge in him.”
§ 5. Conversion of Anathapindika
Sudatta was a resident of Shravasti, the capital of the kingdom of Kosala. It was ruled by King Pasenjit. Sudatta was treasurer of the king. From his bounties to the poor, Sudatta was known as Anathapindika.
When the Lord was at Rajagraha, Anathapindika happened to visit the place on some private business of his own. He was stopping with his sister