z:\ ambedkar\vol 011\vol11 07.indd MK SJ+YS 5 10 2013/YS 18 11 2013 486
486 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
(thoughts of) avarice. So dwelling you will not commit acts born of avarice, either by body, work or thought. Dwell controlling ill-will and ignorance.’
VI
“So, Bhaddiya, those recluses and Brahmins, who wrongly reproach me with being a teacher and proclaimer of such views, are false, empty liars, when they say: ‘ The recluse Gautama is a charmer and knows a trick of glamour, whereby He entices the followers of other sects.’ ”
“ A lucky thing indeed, O Lord—a fair find is this trick of glamour ! Lord would that my beloved blood-relations were enticed by this same trick of glamour ! It would indeed conduce to their advantage and happiness ! Lord, would that all the classes the Brahmins, the Khatiyas, the Vessas and the Suddas were enticed by this same trick of glamour, it would indeed conduce to their advantage and happiness for a long time.”
“ It is so, Bhaddiya ! It is so Bhaddiya ! If all the classes enticed by this trick of glamour, were to eschew sinful conditions, my trick would result in great advantage and happiness to the world.”
§ 2. Charge of Being a Parasite!
The Blessed One was accused of being a parasite, living upon others and not earning his living by working for it. The accusation and the reply of the Blessed Lord is set out below :
Once the Lord was living among the Magadha folk at Dakkhina-giri in the Brahmin village of EkaNala, at a time when the Brahmin Kasi-Bharadvaja’s five hundred ploughs were harnessed for the sowing.
In the morning early, duly robed and bowl in hand, the Lord went to where the Brahmin was busy, at an hour when a meal was brought forward; and stood there to one side.
Observing him standing there for alms, the Brahmin said: “Before I eat, I plough and sow, anchorite; and you too should plough and sow before you eat.”