Dighanikaya 19.311_2

19.311_2

Satta ca brāhmaṇamahāsāleti ‘‘ahaṃ sabbaṭṭhānesu sammukho bhaveyyaṃ vā na vā, yatthāhaṃ sammukho na bhavissāmi, tattheva te kattabbaṃ karissantī’’ti satta anupurohite ṭhapesi. Te sandhāya idaṃ vuttaṃ – ‘‘satta ca brāhmaṇamahāsāle’’ti. Divasassa dvikkhattuṃ vā sāyaṃ pāto vā nahāyantīti nahātakā. Vatacariyapariyosāne vā nahātā, tato paṭṭhāya brāhmaṇehi saddhiṃ na khādanti na pivantīti nahātakā.

In “and seven prosperous brahmins,” he appointed seven assistant priests, thinking, “I may or may not be present in all places; wherever I am not present, right there they will do what is to be done.” In reference to them, this was said: “and seven prosperous brahmins.” They are “cleansed” because they bathe twice a day, or morning and evening. Or they are “cleansed” because, having bathed at the end of their observance of vows, from then on they do not eat or drink with other brahmins.