Birth of Rahula
During Prince Siddhartha way to palace after was fourth passing sight suddenly, a messenger came to the prince with the news that his wife Yashodhara had given birth to a son. When he received the news of his son’s birth, Siddhartha, recognizing that the child could be a tie that would bind him to leave the lay life into asceticism, replied, “Rahulo jato, Bandhanam jatam”, meaning ‘A Rahula is Born, a fetter has arisen’. Accordingly, the child was named “Rahula”, meaning ‘fetter’ or ‘impediment’. That day was Esala full-moon (July).
As he was returning to the palace he met the Princess called Kisagotami. She had been looking out of the palace window and, seeing the prince coming, was so taken by his handsome looks that she said loudly, "Oh! How happy must be the mother, and father, and the wife of such a handsome young prince!"
As he passed this woman, Siddhartha heard this and thought to himself, "In a handsome figure the mother, father and wife find happiness. But how does one escape obstacles and suffering to reach nirvana (escape from suffering, a lasting liberation which is happiness and genuine peace)?" With this question he realized what he must do. "I must quit this household life and retire from the world in quest of enlightenment. This lady has taught me a valuable lesson. I will send her a teacher's fee." Loosening a valuable pearl necklace from about his neck, Siddhartha honored his word and sent it as payment to Kisagotami, with thanks.
Prince Siddhartha Leaves Palace
When the Prince returned to the palace, king Siddhartha's father, arranged a grand dinner and dance for the prince to celebrate the birth of Rahula. Musicians and dancing girls surrounded prince. But he was not in mood for them and absorbed in thought. He then fell asleep. When he awoke in midnight, he saw that dancing girls too had fallen asleep around him, and their appearances were not pleasing any more.
He saw the dancing girls asleep, some with their musical instruments pressed underneath and some with their mouths open with saliva flowing out from their mouth, soiling their cheeks and bodies, some grinding their teeth, some snoring, sprawled about, and sputtering, some with no clothes on but with bodies bare, some with their hair loose and in confusion-all looking life loathsome dead bodies in a cemetery.
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| The Prince saw the dancing girls asleep |
This alteration in their appearance made the prince even more disgusted and unhappy. "How oppressive and stifling this all is," he thought, and his mind turned again towards leaving the palace. He got up quietly from the room and, waking Channa, asked for his horse, Kanthaka, to be saddled.
As Channa was preparing his horse, Siddhartha went quietly to see his newborn son for the first time. His wife was sleeping with the baby beside her, her hand resting on the baby's head.
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| Queen Yashodhara was sleeping with the baby beside |
The prince said to himself, "If I try to move her hand so I can take the child for one last cuddle I fear I will wake her and she will prevent me from going. No! I must go, but when I have found what I am looking for, I shall come back and see him and his mother again."
Quietly then, Siddhartha left the palace. It was midnight, and the prince was on his white horse Kanthaka with Channa, his faithful servant, holding on to its tail.
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| The Prince was leave palace with his white horse Kanthaka and Channa |
Nobody stopped him as he rode away from all who knew, respected and loved him. He took a last look at the city of Kapilavatthu — sleeping so quietly in the moonlight. He was going away to learn to understand old age, sickness and death. He rode to the bank of the river Anoma ("illustrious") and dismounted from his horse.
He removed his jewellery and princely clothes and gave them to Channa to return to the king. Then the prince took his sword and cut his long hair, donned simple clothes, took a begging bowl and asked Channa to go back with Kanthaka.
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| The prince took his sword and cut his long hair |
"It is no use living in the palace without you, my master," said Channa very sadly, "I want to follow you." But Siddhartha would not allow him to stay, although Channa asked three times.
At last Channa started to go, but Kanthaka refused. The prince talked to the horse very kindly. "Please, Kanthaka, go with my friend. Don't wait for me." But Kanthaka thought, "I shall never see my master again." Tears rolled down from the horse's eyes as it kept them fixed on the prince, until he turned to go away and walked out of sight. As Siddhartha disappeared over the horizon, so Kanthaka's heart burst, and he died of sorrow.
When Prince Siddhartha leaved palace his age 29 years old.
When Prince Siddhartha leaved palace his age 29 years old.
