z:\ ambedkar\vol 011\vol11 07.indd MK SJ+YS 5 10 2013/YS 18 11 2013 489
HIS ENEMIES
489
stood : “ It is by Dhamma, and not unrighteously that the Sakyaputtiya Samana leads men”; and ceased to accuse the Blessed One.
§ 4. Jains and a False Charge of Murder
The Tirthikas’ were beginning to feel that the people no longer respected them with the appearance of Samana Gautama and that even some people did not know of their existence.
So, “let us see whether with the connivance of somebody, we can lower his prestige,” thought the Tirthikas. “ Perhaps with Sundari’s help we might succeed.”
And they approached Sundari and said to her: “Sister, you are extremely beautiful and charming. If you spread a scandal about Samana Gautama, the people might believe it, and it would lower his influence.”
Sundari used to go every evening towards the Jetavana with garlands, camphor, and sweet scents when the people used to return to the city; and if anybody asked her, “ Sundari, where are you going ? “ she used to answer, “I am going to Samana Gautama to stay with in the garden house (Gandha Kutir).”
And staying the night in some gardens of the Tirthikas, she used to return in the morning, and if anybody asked her where she had spent the night, she would say that she had spent the night with Gautama.
After a few days the Tirthikas hired a few assassins and told them: “Kill Sundari and throw her body on the rubbish heap near Gautama’s Gandha Kutir.” This the assassins did.
Then the Tirthikas brought it to the notice of the officers of peace and justice that Sundari used to frequent Jetavana and she was missing.
So with the assistance of the officers they found Sundari’s body on the rubbish heap.
And the Tirthikas accused the disciples of
VI