z:\ ambedkar\vol 011\vol11 07.indd MK SJ+YS 5 10 2013/YS 18 11 2013 478
478 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
VI
and said: “Brethren, let those of the brethren who have never seen the devas, gaze upon this company of the Licchavis, behold this company of the Licchavis, compare this company of the Licchavis—for they are even a company of next-world devas.”
And when they had ridden as far as the ground was passable for carriages the Licchavis alighted there, and then went on foot to the place where the Exalted One was, and took their seats respectfully by his side.
Then they addressed the Exalted One, and said : “May the Exalted One do us the honour of taking his meal, together with the brethren, at our house tomorrow ?”
“ I have promised, Licchavis, to dine tomorrow with Ambrapali,” was the reply.
Then the Licchavis knew that they had failed. And after expressing their thanks and approval of the words of the Exalted One, they rose from their seats and bowed down before the Exalted One, and keeping him on their right hand as they passed him, departed thence.
And at the end of the night Ambrapali the courtesan made ready in her mansion sweet rice and cakes, and announced the time to the Exalted One, saying: “The hour, Lord, has come, and the meal is ready.”
And the Exalted One who had dressed himself early in the morning, took his bowl, and his robe and went with the brethren to the place where Ambrapali’s mansion was ; and when he had come there he seated himself on the seat prepared for him. And Ambrapali, the courtesan, set the sweet rice and cakes before the order, with the Buddha at their head, and waited upon them till they refused any more.
And when the Blessed One had quite finished his meal and had cleansed the bowl and his hands, the courtesan had a low stool brought, and sat down at his side, and addressed the Exalted One , and said :
“Lord, I present my pleasance to you and to the order.” And the Exalted One accepted the gift; and