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185
VI, 4, 7. ON DWELLINGS AND FURNITURE.
Order of Bhikkhus which has the Buddha at its head had been invited by Anâtha Pindika the householder for the morrow's meal. And the Setthi of Ragagaha said to Anâtha Pindika the householder: They say, O householder, that you have invited the Bhikkhu-samgha, with the Buddha at its head, for the morrow's meal, and you are but a stranger here. I will provide the means1, O householder, for you to provide the Order of Bhikkhus, which has the Buddha at its head, with food.'
'It is not necessary, O householder; I have means sufficient for the purpose.'
[And the townsman of Râgagaha, and Seniya Bimbisâra the Raga of Magadha, made the same offer in the same words, and received the same reply.]
7. Then Anâtha Pindika the householder, when the night was far spent, made ready in the house of the Setthi of Ragagaha sweet food both hard and soft, and had the time announced to the Blessed One, saying, 'The time, Lord, has come; and the meal is ready.'
And the Blessed One, when he had dressed himself in the early morning, went duly bowled and
1 Veyyâyikam formed from vyaya, expenditure. Veyyâyikan ti vayakaranam vukkati (B.).
• Râgagahako negamo. This person has been already mentioned, and there also in intimate connection with the Setthi of Ragagaha, in the Mahâvagga VIII, 1, 2, 16. It is tolerably clear from the connection that this is no ordinary citizen, but one holding a distinct and semi-official position. In this respect the word is an exact parallel to its neighbour the Setthi. For instances of the word in its more general sense, see Kakkâyana (ed. Senart), p. 219; and Dâ/hâvamsa III, 3.
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