Vol. 11 · pages 46–50

27 FROM BIRTH TO PARIVRAJA I decided to be present at the meeting. Unfortunately, none of them had the courage to say so openly. Perhaps they knew the consequences of opposing the majority. 7. Seeing that his supporters were silent, Siddharth stood up, and addressing the Sangh, said : “Friends ! You may do what you like. You have a majority on your side, but I am sorry to say I shall oppose your decision in favour of mobilisation. I shall not join your army and I shall not take part in the war.” 8. The Senapati, replying to Siddharth Gautama, said : “Do remember the vows you had taken when you were admitted to the membership of the Sangh. If you break any of them you will expose yourself to public shame.” 9. Siddharth replied : “Yes, I have pledged myself to safeguard the best interests of the Sakyas by my body, mind and money. But I do not think that this war is in the best interests of the Sakyas. What is public shame to me before the best interests of the Sakyas ?” 10. Siddharth proceeded to caution the Sangh by reminding it of how the Sakyas have become the vassals of the King of Kosala by reason of their quarrels with the Koliyas. “It is not difficult to imagine,” he said, “that this war will give him a greater handle to further reduce the freedom of the Sakyas.” 11. The Senapati grew angry and addressing Siddharth, said : “Your eloquence will not help you. You must obey the majority decision of the Sangh. You are perhaps counting upon the fact that the Sangh has no power to order an offender to be hanged or to exile him without the sanction of the king of the Kosalas and that the king of the Kosalas will not give permission if either of the two sentences was passed against you by the Sangh.” 12. “But remember the Sangh has other ways of punishing you. The Sangh can declare a social boycott against your family and the Sangh can confiscate your family lands. For this the Sangh does not have to

28 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES I obtain the permission of the king of the Kosalas.” 13. Siddharth realised the consequences that would follow if he continued his opposition to the Sangh in its plan of war against the Koliyas. He had three alternatives to consider—to join the forces and participate in the war ; to consent to being hanged or exiled ; and to allow the members of his family to be condemned to a social boycott and confiscation of property. 14. He was firm in not accepting the first. As to the third he felt it was unthinkable. Under the circumstances he felt that the second alternative was the best. 15. Accordingly, Siddharth spoke to the Sangh. “Please do not punish my family. Do not put them in distress by subjecting them to a social boycott. Do not make them destitute by confiscating their land which is their only means of livelihood. They are innocent. I am the guilty person. Let me alone suffer for my wrong. Sentence me to death or exile, whichever you like. I will willingly accept it and I promise I shall not appeal to the king of the Kosalas.” § 16. Parivraja-the Way Out 1. The Senapati said : “It is difficult to accept your suggestion. For even if you voluntarily agreed to undergo the sentence of death or exile, the matter is sure to become known to the king of the Kosalas and he is sure to conclude that it is the Sangh which has inflicted this punishment and take action against the Sangh.” 2. “If this is the difficulty I can easily suggest a way out,” said Siddharth Gautama. “I can become a Parivrajaka and leave this country. It is a kind of an exile.” 3. The Senapati thought this was a good solution. But he had still some doubt about Siddharth being able to give effect to it. 4. So the Senapati asked Siddharth : “How can you become a Parivrajaka unless you obtain the consent

29 FROM BIRTH TO PARIVRAJA I of your parents and your wife ?” 5. Siddharth assured him that he would do his best to obtain their permission. “I promise,” he said, “to leave this country immediately whether I obtain their consent or not.” 6. The Sangh felt that the proposal made by Siddharth was the best way out and they agreed to it. 7. After finishing the business before the meeting, the Sangh was about to rise when a young Sakya got up in his place and said : “Give me a hearing, I have something important to say.” 8. Being granted permission to speak, he said : “I have no doubt that Siddharth Gautama will keep his promise and leave the country immediately. There is, however, one question over which I do not feel very happy. 9. “Now that Siddharth will soon be out of sight, does the Sangh propose to give immediate effect to its declaration of war against the Koliyas ? 10. “I want the Sangh to give further consideration to this question. In any event, the king of the Kosalas is bound to come to know of the exile of Siddharth Gautama. If the Sakyas declare a war against the Koliyas immediately, the king of Kosalas will understand that Siddharth left only because he was opposed to war against the Koliyas. This will not go well with us. 11. “I, therefore, propose that we should also allow an interval to pass between the exile of Siddharth Gautama and the actual commencement of hostilities so as not to allow the King of Kosala to establish any connection between the two.” 12. The Sangh realised that this was a very important proposal. And as a matter of expediency, the Sangh agreed to accept it. 13. Thus ended the tragic session of the Sakya Sangh and the minority which was opposed to the war but who had not the courage to say so, heaved a sigh of relief that it was able to overcome a situation full of calamitous consequences.

30 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES I § 17. Parting Words 1. The news of what happened at the meeting of the Sakya Sangh had travelled to the Raja’s palace long before the return of Siddharth Gautama. 2. For on reaching home he found his parents weeping and plunged in great grief. 3. Suddhodana said : “We were talking about the evils of war. But I never thought that you would go to such lengths.” 4. Siddharth replied, “I too did not think things would take such a turn. I was hoping that I would be able to win over the Sakyas to the cause of peace by my argument. 5. “Unfortunately, our military officers had so worked up the feelings of the men that my argument failed to have any effect on them. 6. “But I hope you realise how I have saved the situation from becoming worse. I have not given up the cause of truth and justice and whatever the punishment for my standing for truth and justice, I have succeeded in making its infliction personal to me.” 7. Suddhodana was not satisfied with this. “You have not considered what is to happen to us.” “But that is the reason why I undertook to become a Parivrajaka,” replied Siddharth. “Consider the consequences if the Sakyas had ordered the confiscation of your lands.” 8. “But without you what is the use of these lands to us ?” cried Suddhodana. Why should not the whole family leave the country of the Sakyas and go into exile along with you?” 9. Prajapati Gautami, who was weeping, joined Suddhodana in argument, saying ; “I agree. How can you go alone leaving us here like this ?” 10. Siddharth said : “Mother, have you not always claimed to be the mother of a Kshatriya ? Is that not so ? You must then be brave. This grief is unbecoming of you. What would you have done if I had gone to the battle-field and died ? Would you have grieved like this ?”

31 FROM BIRTH TO PARIVRAJA I 11. “No,” replied Gautami. “That would have been befitting a Kshatriya. But you are now going into the jungle far away from people, living in the company of wild beasts. How can we stay here in peace ? I say you should take us along with you.” 12. “How can I take you all with me ? Nanda is only a child. Rahul my son is just born. Can you come leaving them here ?” He asked Gautami. 13. Gautami was not satisfied. She urged : “It is possible for us all to leave the country of the Sakyas and go to the country of the Kosalas under the protection of their king.” 14. “But mother ! What would the Sakyas say?” asked Siddharth. “Would they not regard it as treason ? Besides, I pledged that I will do nothing either by word or by deed to let the king of the Kosalas know the true cause of my Parivraja. 15. “It is true that I may have to live alone in the jungle. But which is better? To five in the jungle or to be a party to the killing of the Koliyas !” 16. “But why this impatience?” asked Suddhodana. “The Sakyas Sangh has decided to postpone the date of the hostilities for some time. 17. “Perhaps the hostilities may not be started at all. Why not postpone your Parivraja ? May be, it would be possible to obtain the permission of the Sangh for you to stay among the Sakyas.” 18. This idea was repellent to Siddharth. “It is because I promised to take Parivraja that the Sangh decided to postpone the commencement of hostilities against the Koliyas. 19. “It is possible that after I take Parivraja the Sangh may be persuaded to withdraw their declaration of war. All this depends upon my first taking Parivraja. 20. “I have made a promise and I must carry it out. The consequences of any breach of promise may be very grave both to us and to the cause of peace. 21. “Mother, do not now stand in my way. Give me your permission and your blessings. What is happening is for the best.”