z:\ ambedkar\vol 011\vol11 08.indd MK SJ+YS 5 10 2013/YS 18 11 2013 561
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One was starting out from Shravasti on his rounds among the Kosalans, again we were disappointed and depressed at the thought: The Exalted One will be far from us.
“Again, lord, when we learned that the Exalted One would leave the Kosalans and go on his rounds among the Mallas ... that he was actually doing so ... we were disappointed and depressed.
“On hearing that the Exalted One would leave the Mallas and go on his rounds among the Vajji ... that he was actually doing so... that he would leave the Vajji for Kasi... that he was doing so... that he would leave the folk of Kasi and go on his rounds in Magadha . .. that he was actually doing so... again we were disappointed and depressed ....
“But, Lord, when we heard that the Exalted One would leave the Magadhas for Kasi and was doing so, then we were delighted and elated at the thought: The Exalted One will be quite near us.
“ And when we heard that he was actually going his rounds in Kasi among the Magadhas, we were likewise delighted and elated.
(They continue to trace the Master’s steps from Kasi to the Vajji ... from the Vajji to the Mallas... from the Mallas to the Kosalans in like terms.)
“ But, Lord, when we heard that the Exalted One would be going on his rounds from the Kosalans to Savatthi, we were delighted and elated at the thought: Now the Exalted One will be quite near us !
“ Then, when we heard: ‘The Exalted One is staying at Shravasti, at Jeta grove, in Anathapindika’s Park.’ Then, Lord, boundless was our delight and boundless our elation at the thought : The Exalted One is near us ! ”
VII