z:\ ambedkar\vol 011\vol11 02.indd MK SJ+YS 4 10 2013/YS 18 11 2013 30
30 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
§ 17. Parting Words
I
The news of what happened at the meeting of the Sakya Sangh had travelled to the Raja’s palace long before the return of Siddharth Gautama.
For on reaching home he found his parents weeping and plunged in great grief.
Suddhodana said : “We were talking about the evils of war. But I never thought that you would go to such lengths.”
Siddharth replied, “I too did not think things would take such a turn. I was hoping that I would be able to win over the Sakyas to the cause of peace by my argument.
“Unfortunately, our military officers had so worked up the feelings of the men that my argument failed to have any effect on them.
“But I hope you realise how I have saved the situation from becoming worse. I have not given up the cause of truth and justice and whatever the punishment for my standing for truth and justice, I have succeeded in making its infliction personal to me.”
Suddhodana was not satisfied with this. “You have not considered what is to happen to us.” “But that is the reason why I undertook to become a Parivrajaka,” replied Siddharth. “Consider the consequences if the Sakyas had ordered the confiscation of your lands.”
“But without you what is the use of these lands to us ?” cried Suddhodana. Why should not the whole family leave the country of the Sakyas and go into exile along with you?”
Prajapati Gautami, who was weeping, joined Suddhodana in argument, saying ; “I agree. How can you go alone leaving us here like this ?”
Siddharth said : “Mother, have you not always claimed to be the mother of a Kshatriya ? Is that not so ? You must then be brave. This grief is unbecoming of you. What would you have done if I had gone to the battle-field and died ? Would you have grieved like this ?”