z:\ ambedkar\vol 011\vol11 08.indd MK SJ+YS 5 10 2013/YS 18 11 2013 549
HIS END
549
who are old and far gone in years, both teachers and disciples; ‘Rarely, rarely do Tathagatas arise in the world, they, who are Arahats, fully Enlightened Ones, And here tonight, in the last watch, will be the final passing away of Gotama, the recluse. Now a doubt has arisen in my mind and I am assured of Gotama, the recluse. Gotama, the recluse, can show me a teaching, so that I may dispel this doubting state of mine.”
Then Subhadda the Wanderer went towards the branch road to the Sala grove of the Mallas, where the venerable Ananda was, and coming there he told the venerable Ananda what he had thought and he exclaimed: “O Master Ananda ! If only I could get a sight of Gotama the recluse !”
At these words the venerable Ananda said to Subhadda the Wanderer: “ Enough, friend Subhadda! Trouble not the Master! The Exalted One is wearied.”
Then a second and yet a third time did Subhadda the Wanderer make the same request, and got the same reply.
Now the Exalted One overheard this talk between the venerable Ananda and Subhadda the Wanderer. And He called to the venerable Ananda, saying, “ Enough, Ananda ! prevent not Subhadda. Let Subhadda be permitted to see the Tathagata. Whatsoever Subhadda shall ask of me, he will ask it all from a desire to know, not from a desire to trouble me. And whatever I shall say in answer, that will be quickly understood.”
So then the venerable Ananda said to Subhadda the Wanderer, “ Go you in, friend Subhadda. The Exalted One gives you leave.”
So Subhadda the Wanderer went in to the Exalted One, and coming to Him greeted Him pleasantly, and after the exchange of friendly compliments he sat down at one side. So seated, Subhadda the Wanderer thus addressed the Exalted One:
“Master Gotama, all those recluses and Brahmins who have followings and companies of listeners, who are teachers of companies, well known,
VII