Dighanikaya 2.158_4

2.158_4

Tato mahājano cintesi – ‘‘rājā kira satthudassanatthaṃ gacchati, kīdisī vata bho dhammadesanā bhavissati, kiṃ no nakkhattakīḷāya, tattheva gamissāmā’’ti. Sabbe gandhamālādīni gahetvā rañño āgamanaṃ ākaṅkhamānā magge aṭṭhaṃsu. Jīvakopi rañño paṭivedesi – ‘‘kappitāni kho te, deva, hatthiyānāni, yassa dāni kālaṃ maññasī’’ti. Tattha yassa dāni kālaṃ maññasīti upacāravacanametaṃ. Idaṃ vuttaṃ hoti – ‘‘yaṃ tayā āṇattaṃ, taṃ mayā kataṃ, idāni tvaṃ yassa gamanassa vā agamanassa vā kālaṃ maññasi, tadeva attano ruciyā karohī’’ti.

Then the great multitude thought: 'The king, it is said, is going to see the Teacher. Indeed, good sirs, what kind of Dhamma discourse will there be? What use is the constellation festival to us? We will go right there!' All took perfumes, garlands, and the like, and stood waiting along the road for the king's arrival. Jīvaka also informed the king: 'The elephant mounts have been prepared for you, sire; now [do] whatever you consider it is time for.' There, 'whatever you consider it is time for' is a polite expression. This is what is said: 'What was ordered by you has been done by me. Now you, whatever you consider it is the time for—whether for going or not going—do just that according to your own pleasure.'