z:\ ambedkar\vol 011\vol11 09.indd MK SJ+YS 5 10 2013/YS 18 11 2013 570
570 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
welcome; it is a long time since he last managed to come. Pray, be seated; here is a seat for the Lord.”
VIII
The Lord sat down accordingly, asking Sakuldai what had been their theme and what was the discussion which had been interrupted.
“Let that pass for the moment,” answered Sakuldai; “you can easily gather that later on.”
Of late, when recluses and Brahmins of other creeds met together in the Discussion Hall, the topic was mooted, what a good thing, what a very good thing, for the Magdha people in Anga, that such recluses and Brahmins—all at the head of confraternities or followings, all well known and famous teachers, all founders of saving creeds, held in high repute by many people should have come to spend the rainy season at Rajagraha.
There was Purana Kassappa, Makhali Ghosala, Ajit Kesakambal, Pakudha Kacchayana, Sanjaya Belaiputta, and Nata-putta the Nigantha, all men of distinction and all of them here for the rains; and among them there is also the recluse Gotama here, at the head of his confraternity and following, a well-known and famous teacher, a founder of a saving creed, who is held in high repute by many.
Now, which of these lords, which of these recluses and Brahmins of such eminence as teachers, is esteemed, respected, venerated and adored by his disciples ? And on what terms of esteem and respect do they live with him ?
Said some: “Purana Kassappa gets no esteem or respect; no veneration or adoration, from his disciples; they live with him on no terms of esteem and respect.”
Time was when, as he was preaching his doctrine to some hundreds of his following, a disciple broke in with— “Don’t question Purana Kassappa, who does not know about it ; ask me who do; I will explain everything to your reverences.”
With arms outstretched Purana Kassappa tearfully remonstrated, saying: “Do be quiet, sirs; do not make a noise.”