z:\ ambedkar\vol 011\vol11 08.indd MK SJ+YS 5 10 2013/YS 18 11 2013 560
560 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
§ 8. Loyalty to the Buudha
- Shravasti was the occasion (of these events) ….
VII
Now on that occasion a number of monks were busied with making a robe for the Exalted One, with this idea : When the robe is finished, in three months’ time, the Exalted One will go forth on his rounds.
Now at that time Isidatta and Purana, the chamberlains, were staying at Sadhuka on some business or other. Then they heard the news: “They say that a number of monks are busied with making a robe for the Exalted One with this idea: When the robe is finished, in three months’ time, the Exalted One will go forth upon his rounds.”
So Isidatta and Purana, the chamberlains, stationed a man on the high-road (thus instructing him): “Now, good fellow, as soon as you see that Exalted One, that Arahat, that perfectly Enlightened One coming along, do you come and inform us.”
So after standing there two or three days that man saw the Exalted One coming along, while yet some distance off, and he went to inform the chamberlains, Isidatta and Purana, saying: “ Here comes my lord, the Exalted One, that Arahat, that perfectly Enlightened One ! Now’s the time for you to do what you want!”
6 So Isidatta and Purana, the chamberlains, went towards the Exalted One, and on coming to him, saluted him, and followed behind the Exalted One step for step.
Then the Exalted One turned aside from the high road and went to the foot of a certain tree and there sat down on a seat made ready. And Isidatta and Purana, the chamberlains, saluting the Exalted One, also sat down at one side. As they thus sat, they said this to the Exalted One :
“Lord, when we heard of the Exalted One that he would go forth on his rounds among the Kosalans, at that time we were disappointed and depressed at the thought: the Exalted One will be far from us.
“And when, Lord, we learned that the Exalted