z:\ ambedkar\vol 011\vol11 02.indd MK SJ+YS 4 10 2013/YS 18 11 2013 31
FROM BIRTH TO PARIVRAJA
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“No,” replied Gautami. “That would have been befitting a Kshatriya. But you are now going into the jungle far away from people, living in the company of wild beasts. How can we stay here in peace ? I say you should take us along with you.”
“How can I take you all with me ? Nanda is only a child. Rahul my son is just born. Can you come leaving them here ?” He asked Gautami.
Gautami was not satisfied. She urged : “It is possible for us all to leave the country of the Sakyas and go to the country of the Kosalas under the protection of their king.”
“But mother ! What would the Sakyas say?” asked Siddharth. “Would they not regard it as treason ? Besides, I pledged that I will do nothing either by word or by deed to let the king of the Kosalas know the true cause of my Parivraja.
“It is true that I may have to live alone in the jungle. But which is better? To five in the jungle or to be a party to the killing of the Koliyas !”
“But why this impatience?” asked Suddhodana. “The Sakyas Sangh has decided to postpone the date of the hostilities for some time.
“Perhaps the hostilities may not be started at all. Why not postpone your Parivraja ? May be, it would be possible to obtain the permission of the Sangh for you to stay among the Sakyas.”
This idea was repellent to Siddharth. “It is because I promised to take Parivraja that the Sangh decided to postpone the commencement of hostilities against the Koliyas.
“It is possible that after I take Parivraja the Sangh may be persuaded to withdraw their declaration of war. All this depends upon my first taking Parivraja.
“I have made a promise and I must carry it out. The consequences of any breach of promise may be very grave both to us and to the cause of peace.
“Mother, do not now stand in my way. Give me your permission and your blessings. What is happening is for the best.”
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