z:\ ambedkar\vol 011\vol11 08.indd MK SJ+YS 5 10 2013/YS 18 11 2013 558
558 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
They then build a funeral pile of all kinds. This is the way in which they treat the remains of a king of kings.”
- “ So be it,” said the Mallas.
VII
Then the Mallas of Kushinara said : “ It is much too late to burn the body of the Blessed One today. Let us now perform the cremation tomorrow.”
And the Mallas of Kushinara gave orders to their attendants, saying: “Make preparations for the funeral of the Tathagata and gather perfumes and garlands and the musicians of Kushinara.”
But in paying honour, reverence, respect, and homage to the remains of the Tathagata with dancing, and hymns and music and with garlands and perfumes; and in making canopies of their garments, and preparing decoration wreath to hand thereon, they passed the second day too, and then the third day, and the fourth and fifth and the sixth day also.
Then on the seventh day the Mallas of Kushinara thought: “Let us carry the body of the Blessed One and let us perform the cremation ceremony.”
And thereupon eight chieftains among the Mallas bathed their heads, and clad themselves in new garments with the intention of acting as pall-bearers carrying the body of the Blessed One.
They carried the dead body to the Shrine of the Mallas, called Makuta-bandhana; to the east of the city and there they laid down the body of the Blessed One and set fire to it.
After some time the mortal remains of the Blessed One were reduced to ashes.
§ 7. Quarrel Over Ashes
After the body of the Blessed One had been consumed by fire, the Mallas of Kushinara collected the ashes and the bones of the Blessed One and placed them in their Council Hall with a lattice work of spears and with a rampart of bows; and guarded them against anybody stealing them or any part of them.
For seven days the Mallas paid honour and