z:\ ambedkar\vol 011\vol11 03.indd MK SJ+YS 5 10 2013/YS 18 11 2013 157
CONVERSION OF THE HIGH AND THE HOLY
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Ratthapala’s wives aforetime, to deck themselves out in all the finery their husband liked to see them in.
When night had passed, the father, having ordered an excellent meal to be got ready in his house, told his son when it was ready. Early that forenoon, the reverend Ratthapala, duly robed and bowl in hand, came and took the seat set for him.
Hereupon, ordering the heap of treasure to be unveiled, the father said: ‘This is your mother’s fortune, that is your father’s and that came from your grandfather. You have the wherewithal both to enjoy yourself and to do good works.
‘Come, my son ; abandon your training; revert to the lower life of the layman; enjoy your substance and do good works.’
‘If you will take my advice, householder, you will cart away all this heaped-up treasure and sink it in the middle of the Ganges. And why ? Because thence you will only derive sorrow and lamentation, ills, pain of mind, pain of body and tribulation.’
Clinging to his feet, the reverend Ratthapala’s whilom wives asked like what were the nymphs divine for whose sake he was leading the higher life.
“For the sake of no nymphs at all, sisters,” said he.
At hearing themselves called sisters, the ladies all fainted and fell to the ground.
Said Ratthapala to his father: “If food is to be given, householder, give it; trouble me not.”
“The food is ready, my son ; begin,” said the father as he served that excellent meal without stint till his son had his fill.
After taking food he departed to the deer-park of the Kuru king, where he sat down under a tree during the noontide heat.
Now the king had given directions to his huntsman to tidy up the park against his coming to see it ; and the obedient huntsman was engaged on his task when he saw Ratthapala seated under a tree during the noontide heat, and reported to the king that the park was in order but that under a tree there
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