z:\ ambedkar\vol 011\vol11 02.indd MK SJ+YS 4 10 2013/YS 18 11 2013 38
38 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
I
abandon my kindred, death would still make us help lessly abandon one another.
“She, my mother, by whom I was born in the womb with great thirst and pains,—where am I now with regard to her, and where is she with regard to me?
“As birds go to their roosting-tree and then depart, so the meeting of beings inevitably ends in separation.
“As clouds, having come together, depart asunder again, such I consider the meeting and parting of living things.
“And since this world goes away, each one deceiving the other,—it is not right to think any thing thine own in a time of union which is a dread.
“Therefore, since it is so, grieve not, my good friend, but go ; or if thy love lingers, then go and afterwards return.
“Say without reproaching me, to the people of Kapilavatsu, ‘Let your love for him be given up, and hear his resolve.’ ”
Having heard this conversation between the master and the servant, Kanthaka, the noblest steed, licked his feet with his tongue and dropped hot tears.
With his hand whose fingers were untied with a membrane and which was marked with the auspicious svastika, and with its middle part curved, Gautama stroked him and addressed him like a friend:
“Shed not tears, Kanthaka, bear with it, thy labours will soon have its fruit.”
Then Channa, knowing that the time for the parting of the ways had come, forthwith paid honour to the sylvan dress of Gautama.
Then Gautama, having bidden good-bye to Kanthaka and Channa, went on his way.
While his master, thus regardless of his kingdom, was going to the ascetic-wood in mean garments, the groom, tossing up his arms, wailed bitterly and fell on the ground.
Having looked back again he wept aloud, and embraced the horse Kanthaka with his arms;