z:\ ambedkar\vol 011\vol11 08.indd MK SJ+YS 5 10 2013/YS 18 11 2013 559
HIS END
559
reverence and respect and homage to them with dance and song and music and with garlands and perfumes.
Now the King of Magadha, Ajatasatru, heard the news that the Blessed One had died at Kushinara.
He, therefore, sent a messenger to the Mallas with a request for a portion of the relics of the Blessed One.
Similarly messengers came from the Licchavis of Vaishali, from the Sakyas of Kapilavastu, from the Bulis of Attakappa, from the Koliyas of Ramagama and from the Mallas of Pava.
Among the claimants for ashes there was also a Brahmin of Vethadipa.
When they heard these claims, the Mallas of Kushinara said: “ The Blessed One died in our village. We will not give away any part of the remains of the Blessed One. They belong to us.”
Seeing that the situation was tense a Brahmin by name Drona intervened and said: “Hear, reverend sirs, one single word from me.”
Said Drona: “Forbearance was our Buddha to teach; unseemly is it that over the division of the remains of him who was the best of beings, strife should arise, and wounds and war !
“Let us all, sirs, with one accord unite in friendly harmony to make eight portions. Widespread let stupas arise in every land that the Enlightened One from all parts be reverenced.”
The Mallas of Kushinara agreed and said: “Do thou then, O Brahmin, thyself, divide the remains equally into eight parts, with fair division.”
“Be it so, sir !” said Drona in assent.
And he divided the remains of the Blessed One equally into eight parts.
After making the division Drona said to them: “Give me, sirs, this vessel. I will set up over it a stupa.”
And they agreed to give the vessel to him.
Thus the ashes of the Blessed One were shared and the quarrel was settled peacefully and amicably.
VII