Vol. 11 · pages 546–550

527 FRIENDS AND ADMIRERS VI of this Brahmin Sela. Accompanied by his three hundred pupils, Sela went and saw all the fire-worshippers there busy with their several tasks, with Keniya himself marking off the reserved circles. 3. At the sight of this the Brahmin said to Keniya: “What is all this? Is it a wedding feast? Or is there a great sacrifice afoot ? Or have you invited to a repast tomorrow Seniya Bimbisara, king of Magadha, with all his host? ” 4. “It is no wedding feast, Sela, nor is the king coming with all his host. But I have got a great sacrifice afoot. For, the recluse Gotama has arrived at Apana, in the course of an alms-pilgrimage, with twelve hundred and fifty alms-men in his train. 5. “Now, such, according to report, is the high repute of this Gotama that he is deemed to be the Lord of Enlightenment. 6. “It is he whom I have invited to tomorrow’s meal here, together with his confraternity. The feast that is being prepared is for him.” 7. “Did you attribute to him Enlightenment, Keniya,” asked Sela. “Yes, I did,” replied Keniya. “Did you?” “Yes I did.” § 6. Pasendi In Praise of the Master 1. Once the Exalted One was staying near Shravasti, at Jeta’s grove, in Anathapindika’s park. 2. Now at that time the rajah of Kosala, Pasendi, had just returned from a sham-fight, in which he was victorious, having carried out his object. And on reaching the park he turned in that way. So far as the cart-road went he rode in his chariot, and then got down and went on foot through the park. 3. On that occasion a number of the brethren were walking up and down in the open air. Then Pasendi, the rajah of Kosala, went up to those brethren and thus accosted them: “Reverend sirs, where now is the Exalted One staying, that Arahant, Buddha Supreme: for I long to behold Him ? ” 4. “ Yonder, Maharajah, is his lodging, and the

528 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES VI door is shut. Do you go up quietly, without nervous-. ness, enter the verandah, cough, and rattle the doorbar.. The Exalted One will open the door to you.” 5. So Pasendi, the rajah of Kosala, went up to the lodging as he was told, coughed and rattled the doorbar. And the Exalted One opened the door. 6. Then Pasendi entered the lodging, fell with his head at the feet of the Exalted One, kissed His feet and stroked them with his hands, and announced his name, saying, “ Lord, I am Pasendi, the rajah of Kosala.” 7. “But, Maharajah, seeing what significance therein, do you show me this profound humanity and pay such affectionate obeisance to this body,” said the Lord!

BOOK VII The Wanderer’s Last Journey Part. I—The Meeting of those Near and Dear. Part II—Leaving Vaishali. Part III—His End.

PART I The Meeting of Those Near and Dear 1. The Centres of His Preachings. 2. The Places He Visited. 3. Last Meeting between Mother and Son and between Wife and Husband. 4. Last Meeting between Father and Son. 5. Last Meeting between the Buddha and Sariputta.