z:\ ambedkar\vol 011\vol11 07.indd MK SJ+YS 5 10 2013/YS 18 11 2013 490
490 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
Gautama to have killed Sundari in order to hide the shame of their leader.
VI
But the assassins began to quarrel amongst themselves in a liquor shop about the distribution of the prize money for having killed Sundari.
The officers at once arrested them and they admitted their guilt and implicated the Tirthikas at whose instigation they had committed the crime.
Thus the Tirthikas lost whatever influence was left for them.
§ 5. Jains and a False Charge of Immorality
As with the sunrise the glow-worms vanish, so miserable became the situation of the Tirthikas. The people ceased to pay them respects or presents.
Standing on the public streets they used to harangue : “ If Samana Gautama is enlightened (Buddha), we are also. If you acquire virtue by showering presents on the Buddha, you will get the same by giving us presents. Therefore make gift to us.”
But the public paid no heed to it. So they conspired in secret how by spreading scandal on the character of Samana Gautama, they could discredit the Sangha.
At that time there used to live in Shravasti a Brahmani Parivrajaka, known as Chincha. In bodily formation and physical charms she was a seductive beauty. She used to radiate voluptuous grace with her bodily movements.
One of the crafty schemers among the Tirthikas said that with the help of Chincha it would be easy to spread a scandal about Gautama, and thereby discredit him, to which other Tirthikas gave their consent.
Then, one day Chincha came to the park of the Tirthikas and saluting them, sat near them. But nobody talked with her.
Surprised at this she said : ‘‘How have I