z:\ ambedkar\vol 011\vol11 03.indd MK SJ+YS 5 10 2013/YS 18 11 2013 204
204 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
§ 2. Conversion of Angulimala, the Robber
II
There was, in the realm of Pasenadi, king of Kosala, a robber named Angulimala, a ruffian whose hands were red with blood, who was always killing and wounding, and showed no mercy to any living creature. Because of him, what had been villages were villages no more, what had been townships were townships no more, and what had been countryside was countryside no more.
From every human being whom he slew, he took a finger to make for himself a necklace, and so got his name of “Necklace of Fingers.”
Once when the Lord was staying in Shravasti in Jeta’s grove he had heard of the ravages committed by the robber Angulimala. The Blessed Lord decided to convert him into a righteous man. So one day after taking his meal and after putting away his bedding and then, with robes and bowl, set out on his journey to find the robber Angulimala.
Seeing him journeying thither, neatherds, goatherds, ploughmen and wayfarers called out: “Don’t go that way, recluse! It will take you to the robber Angulimala.
“Why, even when, ten, twenty, thirty, or forty people band themselves together to travel this road, the whole company falls into the robber’s hands !” But, without a word, the Lord held on to his way.
A second time, and yet a third time those near there and the rest repeated their warning; but still, without a word, the Lord went his way.
From some way off the robber saw the Lord coming and marvelled exceedingly that, where even companies of ten to fifty travellers dare not come his way, this solitary recluse should be seen to be forcing his way alone; and the robber was minded to slay ‘this recluse.’ So, armed with sword and buckler and with his bow and quiver, the robber followed up the Lord’s trail.
The Lord, while he himself was proceeding at