The Enlightened Buddha - Article 11

DAY 11 - ARTICLE 11

- The last conversation between Siddhattha and Channa -

When other people returned to Kapilavatthu, Channa should have also returned. But he insisted Gotama to see off him with Kanthaka (horse) at least to the banks of the river Anoma. Gotama could not refuse.

At last they reached the banks of Anoma.

Siddhattha Gotama said to Channa, "Good friend, your devotion to me has been proved by you thus following me. I am wholly won in heart by you, you have such a pure love for me."

Siddhattha continued, "I am pleased with your noble feelings towards me, even though I am powerless of conferring any reward. Each and every relation is a bit selfish. People stay connected to each other with hope of any kind of reward. You are the only exception. Now take this horse and return."

Siddhattha added, "My father would be highly shaken with grief. Tell him, I have left him with no thirst for heaven, with no lack of love, nor feeling of anger. Since separation is certain, one should not keep mourning. At a man's death there are many heirs to his wealth, but heirs to his merit are hard to find on the Earth, or exist not at all."

My father might say, "He has gone at a wrong time. But there is no wrong time for duty."

Tell to my mother, "I am utterly unworthy to deserve her affection. She is a noble person, too noble for words."

Having heard these words, Channa, overwhelmed with grief, made reply with folded hands, his voice choked by emotion : "Seeing that you are causing affliction to your loved ones, my mind, sinks down like an elephant in a river of mud. Such kind of determination, with full of love for his kindred can melt even a man with heart made of iron. How can such a man not shed tears?"

Channa continued, "A Prince who has born to sleep on the soft beds of palace, how will his delicate body bear the pain of sleeping on ground of the ascetic forest, covered with the shoots of rough Kusa grass?"

"Surely you will never forget your father and mother. You won't ever abandon your wife and son. Even if your mind be resolved to abandon your kindred and your kingdom, you will not, O Master, abandon me, your feet are my only refuge. I cannot go to Kapilavatthu with my soul thus burning, leaving you behind in the forest. What will I say to the king? What a shameful moment it would be for me?!"

Having heard these words of Channa, overcome with sorrow, Siddhattha Gotama with the utmost gentleness answered : "Abandon this distress. Change is inevitable in corporeal beings, who are subject to different births. Even if I would have not abandoned my kindred by being parivrajaka, one day, death would have still seperated us from one another.

My mother, Mahamaya, who gave me birth with great thirst and pain, where am I now regard to her, and where is she with regard to me?"

Siddhattha added, "As birds go to their roosting-tree and then depart, so the meeting of beings inevitably ends in separation. As clouds, having come together, departs asunder again, such I consider the meeting and parting of living things.

Therefore, since it is so, grieve not, my good friend, but go; and if your love lingers, then go and afterwards return."

It is said that hearing the conversation between Gotama and Channa, even Kanthak shed tears, was full of grief. Kanthaka licked his feet with his tongue and dropped hot tears.

Gotama stoked Kanthaka and addressing like a friend, "Shed not tears, Kanthaka, bear with it, your labours will soon have its fruit."

Having known that the time of separation had come, Channa paid honour to the sylvan dress of Gotama. Then Gotama, having bidden good-bye to Kanthaka and Channa, went on his way.

Channa, hopeless and repeatedly lamenting, started on his return journey. On the way, sometimes he pondered, sometimes he lamented, sometimes he stumbled, sometimes he fell, he performed all kinds of actions on the road, knowing not what he was doing. His heart was so heavy that the road which he used to travel in one night with Kantahak, that same road he now took eight days to travel, pondering over his lord's absence. On their way, neither Channa and nor the horse, though pressed with hunger, he welcomed not, nor tasted, any grass or water on the road, as before.

- Channa and Kanthaka entered the city of Kapilavatthu -

Slowly the two at long reached Kapilavatthu, which seemed empty when deserted by Gotama. They reached the city in body but not in soul. The two with dull eyes, shed tears. When the men saw that they had returned without the pride of the Sakya race, Prince Gotama, they shed tears. Women, opened their windows, when saw an empty back of Kanthaka, weeped loudly. People kept asking, "Where is the king's son?" Channa had no answers.

The family in mourning.

To be continued in Next Article....

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Namo Buddhay.

The Enlightened Buddha - Article 10

DAY 10 - ARTICLE 10

- Leaving His Home -

Siddhattha thought of taking parivraja at the hands of Bharadvaja, who had his ashram in Kapilavatthu. Accordingly he rose the next day and started for the ashram on his favourite horse Kanthaka, with his servant Channa.

As he reached ashram, he saw an unusual huge crowd on the gates of ashram, because the circumstances leading to Gotama's parivraja were so extraordinary. The people saw him like a newly married bridegroom. The eyes of the crowd was motionless, and blossoming wide with love and respect.

Some of the women verily thought that he was KamaDev, decorated as he was with his brilliant sighs as with connate ornaments. So handsome was Siddhattha when he was on the edge of becoming a sanyaasi. Women only looked upon him, simply gazing with their eyes. They neither smiled nor spoke. They surrounded him and looked at him as if they were saying him to think again of his decision to take parivraja.

Suddhodhana and Mahapajapati were also present at the ashram. Seeing his parents he first went to them and asked for their blessing. They were so choked with emotion that they could hardly say a word. They wept and wept, held him fast, and bathed him with their tears. Seeing all of them in tears, Channa too was overcome with emotion and was weeping badly. Seperating himself with great difficulty from his parents, Siddhattha went to Channa. He gave him his dress and his ornaments to take back home. Then he had his head shaved, as required for a parivrajaka. His cousin Mahanama had brought clothes and a begging bowl, appropriate for a parivrajaka. Gotama wore them. Having thus prepared himself to enter the life of a parivrajaka, Siddhattha approached Bharadvaja [with a request] to confer on him parivraja. Bharadvaja, with his disciples, performed the necessary ceremonies and declared Siddhattha Gotama to have become a parivrajaka.

After the parivraja ceremony, he immediately started on his journey. The crowd started following him. He left Kapilavatthu and proceeded in the direction of the river Anoma. Looking back he saw the crowd still following him.

He stopped and addressed them, saying, "Brothers and sisters, there is no use your following me. I have failed to settle the dispute between the Sakyas and the Koliyas. But if you create public opinion in favour of settlement you might succeed. Be, therefore, so good as to return." Hearing his appeal, the crowd started going back. Suddhodhana and Gotami also returned to the palace. Gotami was unable to bear the sight of the robes and the ornaments discarded by Siddhattha.

SIDDHATTHA WAS ONLY TWENTY NINE YEARS OLD WHEN HE UNDERWENT PARIVRAJA.

People admired Siddhattha with words like, "He is a Sakya blessed with high lineage, noble parentage, possessed of considerable riches and youthful vigour, who fought his kinsmen for the sake of maintaining peace on earth and goodwill towards men."

"A Sakya Prince, who, when failed to convince his people, to maintain peace, he voluntarily took punishment which involved the exchange of riches for poverty, comfort for alms, home for homelessness. And so he goes, with none in the world to care for him, and with nothing in the world which he could claim as his own."

"His is an act of supreme sacrifice willingly made. His is a brave and a courageous act. There is no parallel to it in the history of the world. He deserves to be called a Sakya Muni or a Sakya Sinha.

Kisa Gotami, a Sakya maiden, said, "Blessed indeed are his parents to have such a son. Blessed indeed is the wife who had such a husband."

Finally, the Prince, took parivraja, left Kapilavatthu, began his journey on the path of attaining enlightenment.

What happened to Siddhattha's parents, people of Kapilavatthu and Channa, the servant?

To be continued in Next Article....

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Namo Buddhay.

The Enlightened Buddha - Article 9

DAY 9 - ARTICLE 9

This article will truly deal with the falseness of myths that have been widespread related to Siddhattha Gotama.

Myth 1 –

Siddhattha left home and became Buddha because for the first time he saw an old man, a sick man and a dead man.

Answer :- 

No, that was not the reason.

The true reason of Siddhattha's leaving home was his promise to be a parivrajaka so that there is no war between Sakyas and Koliyas due to the claim that they both had on the waters of river Rohini.

Also, logically, imagine, how can a man aged 28-29 years not see an old man, a sick man and a dead man not even a single time for his 29 years age??

This myth is broken.

Myth 2 –

Siddhattha Gotama left the palace while his wife Yashodhara and son Rahula were asleep.

Answer :-

Totall wrong.

Before leaving home, Gotama had a detailed conversation with his parents Suddhodhana and Mahapajapati, as well as Yashodhara. To his surprise, Yashodhara had full consent to the decision of Siddhattha as she too was against the war. She had supported Gotama.

Siddhattha was a prince. He was not a thief that he leaves home and no one comes to know about him.

In fact, half of the Kapilavatthu had come to see him when he went to the ashram of Bharadvaja, to take the parivraja at the hands of Bharadvaja.

This myth is also broken.

- Siddhattha's last conversation with Parents and Yashodhara -

Before Siddhattha reached the palace, the news of what had happened at the Sangh meeting and his decision to take parivraja had reached.

His parents were in deep grief and were weeping like anything. Suddhodhana said, "We were talking about the evils of war. But I never thought that you would go to such lengths."

Siddhattha replied, "I too did not think things would take such a turn. I was hoping that I would be able to win over the Sakyas to the cause of peace by my argument."

Suddhodhana was not satisfied. But Gotama said that he had saved the situation from becoming worse. If the Sangh would have confiscated their lands  the situation would have worsened to a great extent.

Suddhodhana exclaimed, "What is the use of lands if you are not with us? Why should not the whole family leave the country of the Sakyas and go into exile along with you?"

Pajapati Gotami, who was weeping, joined Suddhodhana in argument, saying, "I agree. How can you go alone leaving us here like this?"

Siddhattha said, "Mother, you have always claimed to be the mother of a Kshatriya. You must be brave. What if I would have participated in the war and would have died in the battlefield? Would you have grieved like this?"

Gotami replied, "No, that would be befitting a Kshatriya. But you are going to the jungle, to live with the wild beasts, how can we stay here in peace? I say you should take us along with you."

Siddhattha answered politely, "How can I take you all with me? Nanda is only a child. Rahula is just born. Can you come leaving them home?"

Gotami was not satisfied. She urged, "We can leave Sakya State and go the country of Kosala under the protection of their king."

Siddhattha explained that it would be a treason. It would be a cheat in my name. I've promised the Sangh that I won't appeal to the king of Kosalas.

Suddhodhana asked why was he so impatient to be a parivrajaka? Why is he in such a hurry?

King Suddhodhana added, "Perhaps the hostilities may not be started at all. Why not postpone your parivraja?"

Siddhattha replied, "It is because I promised to take parivraja that the Sangh decided to postpone the commencement of hostilities against the Koliyas. It is possible that after I take parivraja the Sangh may be persuaded to withdraw their declaration of war. All this depends upon my first taking parivraja. I have made a promise and I must carry it out."

Finally he urged, "Parents do not stand in my way. Give me your permission and your blessings." They kept silent.

Then Siddhattha went to meet Yashodhara. Seeing her, he stood silent, not knowing what to say and how to say it. She broke the silence by saying, "I have heard all that has happened at the meeting of the Sangh of Kapilavatthu."

Siddhattha asked her, "Yashodhara, tell me what you think of my decision to take parivraja?"

Gotama expected that she would collapse. Nothing such happened. On the contrary, Yashodhara supported the decision with full consent.

She said she would also have taken the same decision as she too opposed the decision of was against Koliyas.

Further Yashodhara assured him that he should not worry about his parents and his son Rahula, she would take care of them till there is last breath in her.

Finally she said, "All I wish is that now that you are becoming a parivrajaka, leaving behind all who are near and dear to you, you will find a new way of life which would result in the happiness of mankind."

Siddhattha Gotama was greatly impressed. He realised as never before what a brave, courageous and noble-minded woman Yashodhara was, and how fortunate he was in having her as his wife.

He asked her to bring Rahula. He cast his fatherly look on him and left.

The next day Siddhattha Gotama left his home.

He performed the duties necessary to be a parivrajaka.

His journey from being Siddhattha Gotama to become Gotama Buddha began.

To be continued in Next Article....

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Namo Buddhay.

The Enlightened Buddha - Article 8

DAY 8 - ARTICLE 8

- Why did Siddhattha offer exile? -

Another meeting of the Sangh was held.

Majority of the Sangh was in favour of the Senapati and was ready to wage a war with Koliyas.

The minority who was with Siddhattha against the war were determined but none of them had courage to say so openly. Seeing his supporters silent, Siddhattha spoke, addressing the Sangh, "Friends! You may do what you like. You have a majority in your side, but I am sorry to say I shall oppose your decision in favour of mobilisation. I shall not join your army and I shall not take part in the war."

Senapati reminded Siddhattha of the vows he had taken while getting admitted in the Sangh. Siddhattha said that he remembers the vows but he very well understands that the war is not in the best interests of the Sakyas.

Siddhattha proceeded to caution how in the past, due to the conflict with Koliyas, the Sakyas had become vassals of the king of Kosalas. The war will give him a greater handle to further reduce the freedom of the Sakyas.

Senapati was angry. He said, "Your eloquence (powerful and effective language) will not help you. Do you think the Sangh had no power to order an offender to be hanged or to exile him without the sanction of the king of Kosalas? That the king will not permit if either of the two sentences was passed against you by the Sangh?"

Senapati added, "The Sangh had other ways of punishing you. The Sangh can declare a social boycott of your family and can confiscate the lands, for which the Sangh does not have to take the permission of the king of Kosalas."

Siddhattha realised the bitter consequences that would follow. Now he had three alternatives left to him.

1) To join the forces and participate in the war

2) To consent to being hanged or exile

3) To allow the family members suffer because of him, resulting social boycott

He was firm in not accepting the first one. The third alternative was unthinkable. He felt that the second alternative was the best.

Siddhattha spoke to the Sangh, "Please do not punish my family. They are innocent. I am the guilty person. Let me alone suffer for my deed. Sentence me to death or exile, whichever you like. I will willingly accept it and I promise I shall not appeal to the king of Kosalas."

- Parivraja (leave a home-less life, like a wanderer) - The Way Out -

The Senapati said, "Even if you voluntarily agreed to undergo the sentence of death or exile, the king of Kosalas is sure to know the matter and he is sure to conclude that it is the Sangh which had inflicted this punishment, and will take action against the Sangh."

Siddhattha Gotama suggested one more way, "If this is the difficulty, I can become a parivrajaka and leave this country. It is a kind of exile."

Senapati thought this was a good solution.

However he questioned whether he would be able to get the consent of his parents and family to be a parivrajaka?

Siddhattha affirmed strongly that whether he gets the consent or not, he'll stick to his decision and implement it immediately.

The Sangh felt that the proposal made by Siddhattha was the best way out and they agreed to it.

Then a young Sakya stood up on his place and declared that he had something important to say.

He began, "I have no doubt that Siddhattha Gotama will implement his decision and leave this country and I am unhappy for that. However, there is one more question that should be taken into account."

He continued, "Now that Siddhattha will soon be out of sight, does the Sangh propose to give immediate effect to its declaration of war against the Koliyas?

If yes, the king of Kosalas would easily make out that Siddhattha left only because he was opposed to the war. This might not be good for the Sangh. I propose to allow a significant interval between the exile of Siddhattha Gotama and the actual commencement of hostilities, so as not to allow the king of Kosala to establish any connection between the two events."

Sangh realised that this was a very important proposal. The Sangh agreed to it.

Thus ended the tragic session of the Sakya Sangh. The minority which was opposed to the war but who had no courage to say so openly, heaved a sigh of relief that it was able to overcome a situation full of calamitous consequences.

Ultimately, Siddhattha had a talk with his parents and wife Yashodhara.

He left the home forever.

To be continued in Next Article....

Stay connected.

Namo Buddhay.

The Enlightened Buddha - Article 7

DAY 7 - ARTICLE 7

- Siddhattha's entry in the Sakya Sangh -

The Sakyas had their Sangh. Every Sakya youth above twenty had to be initiated into the Sangh and be a member of the Sangh.

At the age of twenty, it was the time for Siddhattha Gotama to enter Sangh and be a member.

Meeting-house was called Santhagar which was situated in Kapilavatthu.

With an objective to get Siddhattha be initiated into the Sangh, a meeting was called. The purohit proposed that Siddhattha be enrolled as a member of the Sangh.

Then the Senapati of the Sakyas announced in the meeting that Siddhattha, by every way was fit to be the member of the Sangh. He asked thrice the existing members if they had any objection to it.

It was the rule of procedure among the Sakyas that there could be no debate without motion, and no motion could be declared carried unless it was passed three times. No one objected. Siddhattha was declared to have been duly admitted as a member of the Sakya Sangh.

Addressing Siddhattha, the purohit told him the duties of the member of the Sangh.

1) You must safeguard the interests of the Sakyas by body, mind and money.

2) You must not be absent in the meetings of Sangh.

3) You must without fear or favour expose any fault you may notice in the conduct of a Sakya.

4) You must not be angry if you are accused of an offence, but confess if you are guilty or state if you are innocent.

Siddhattha heard it patiently.

Then the purohit told him the rules that can disqualify him for the membership of the Sangh.

1) Commit rape

2) Commit murder

3) Do robbery

4) If you are guilty of giving false evidence.

Siddhattha assured that he'll follow the rules of discipline to the best in letter and in spirit.

- THE TURNING POINT IN THE LIFE OF SIDDHATTHA -

The reason why Siddhattha left home.

- Conflict with the Sangh -

It had been eight years being the member of Sangh. Siddhattha was very devoted and steadfast member of the Sangh. He took keen interest in the affairs of Sangh. He had become dear to everyone.

In the eighth year of his membership, an event occured which resulted in a tragedy for the family of Suddhodhana and a crisis in the life of Siddhattha. This is the origin of the tragedy.

On the border of Sakya State, there was the State of the Koliyas. The two kingdoms were divided by the river Rohini.

The waters of the Rohini were used by both the kingdoms for irrigation. Every season there used to be disputes between them as to who should take the the water first and how much quantity. These disputes, sometimes, resulted in quarrels.

In the year when Siddhattha was twenty-eight, there was a major clash over the waters between the servants of the Sakyas and the servants of the Koliyas. Both sides suffered injuries.

Coming to know of this, the Sakyas and the Koliyas felt that the issue must be settled once for all by war.

The Senapati of the Sakyas called a meeting and he proposed a war on the Koliyas. The Senapati added, "Our people have been attacked. The aggression has taken place more than once. We have tolerated a lot. It has to be stopped. It can only be stopped by war. Those who wish to oppose may speak."

Siddhattha opposed the proposal of war. He said, "War does not solve any question. Waging war will not serve our purpose. It will sow the seeds of another war. The slayer gets a slayer in his turn; the conqueror gets one who conquers him; a man who despoils is despoiled in his turn."

Siddhattha proposed to elect two men from them and two from the Koliyas, and the four should elect a fifth person to settle the dispute. Siddhattha's proposal was supported. But Senapati opposed by saying, "I am sure that this menace of the Koliyas will not end unless they are severely punished."

The resolution and the amendment made by Siddhattha had therefore to be put to vote. The amendment was put first. It was declared lost by an overwhelming majority.

Siddhattha begged and said, "Not to accept the resolution of war. The Sakyas and the Koliyas are close relatives. It is unwise that they should destroy eachother."

Senapati argued that to fight is the duty of a Kshatriya. They must fight even against brothers for the sake of their kingdom.

Siddhattha replied, "Dharma, as I understand it, consists in recognising that enmity does not end by enmity. It can only be conquered by love."

Senapati put his resolution to vote. It was declared carried by an overwhelming majority.

Prince Siddhattha Gotama failed to convince the Sangh to drop the idea of war against the Koliyas.

After this Siddhattha offered exile (leave home or country voluntarily).

On the path of being a parivrajaka.

To be continued in Next Article....

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Namo Buddhay.

The Enlightened Buddha - Article 6

DAY 6 - ARTICLE 6

- Prime Minister Udai's Admonition (cautionary advice about something about to occur) to the Prince Siddhattha -

Udai realized that the girls had failed, and that the Prince had shown no interest in them. He was well skilled in rules of policy.

As he was appointed by King Suddhodhana, as a friend, he thought of talking to the Prince about this matter.

He began with showing three marks of friendship :-

* To hinder from what is disadvantageous

* To urge to do what is advantageous

* Not to forsake in misfortune

He said, "If I fail to do so, how can there be any friendship between you and me?"

Udai explained to Siddhattha, that it's right to woo a woman by any manner, even by guile (cunningly).

"Respectful behaviour and submission with her wishes are what bind a woman's heart; good qualities are a cause of love, and women love respect."

"Will you not then, even if your heart is unwilling, seek to please them with a courtesy worthy of their beauty?"

Further, Udai gave him some examples what some well-known people have done in past to gain pleasure in the company of woman.

Indra wooed Ahalya, the wife of the saint Gotama.

Agastya wooed Rohini, the wife of Soma.

The great ascetic Brihaspati begot Bharadvaja on Mamata the daughter of Maruta, the wife of Autathya.

Also, in old times, Parasara, overpowered by passion on the banks of the Yamuna, lay with the maiden Kali, who was the daughter of the son of Varuna.

Sage Vasishtha through lust begot a son, Kapinglada, on Akshmala, a despised low caste woman.

Kuru King Pandu knew that intercourse with wife Madri would lead to death, but for the pleasures of love, he did it and died.

Giving such examples, Udai concluded, "You, a young man, possessed of strength and beauty, disliking the enjoyments which rightly belong to you, and to which the whole world is devoted."

- The Prince's Reply to Udai -

Having heard these specious words of Udai, well supported by sacred tradition, the prince made reply, in a voice like the thundering of a cloud.

Siddhattha replied, "This speech manifesting affection is well-befitting in you, but I will convince you as to where you have wrongly judged me. I do not despise worldly objects. I know that all mankind is bound up therein. But I also know that the world is transitory, my mind cannot find pleasure in them."

"Even if the beauty of women were to remain perpetual (forever), seeking life-long delight in the pleasures of desires would not be worthy of the wise man."

Siddhattha added, "Those great men who became victims to desires, do not be led away by them; for they invited destruction for themselves."

"Real destruction is not to be found there, where there is destruction, or where there is attachment to earthly objects, or a want of self-control."

You say that compliance too with a woman's wishes does not pleases me, because I don't find truthfulness in it. If there be not a union with one's whole soul and nature, then how can there be compliance?

"A soul overpowered by passion, believing in falsehood, carried away by attachment and blind to the faults of its objects, what is there in it worth deceived?"

Siddhattha kept replying, "If the victims of passion do deceive one another, are not men unfit for women to look  at and women for men? Since then these things are so, you surely would not lead me astray into ignoble pleasures."

Udai had no words to argue with Siddhattha. He felt silenced by the firm and strong resolve of the prince.

He reported this conversation to Suddhodhana. Having heard this, Suddhodhana could not sleep that night. He was full of pain. Suddhodhana and his ministers spent much of their time in consultation, hoping to find some way to draw Siddhattha to the pleasures of carnal life, but they failed badly.

Such was the greatness of Siddhattha Gotama. Even being a Prince he was neither attracted by the women nor by the worldly pleasures.

He was a Bodhisattva who had come to be a Buddha.

Now, Siddhattha's initiation into the Sakya Sangh.

His conflict with the Sangh.

To be continued in Next Article....

Stay connected.

Namo Buddhay.

The Enlightened Buddha - Article 5

DAY 5 - ARTICLE 5

- Father's Plans to Save his Son Siddhattha -

Siddhattha had married and had started a householder's life with wife Yashodhara.

But, Suddhodhana was worried for Siddhattha. The prophecy of Asita Muni continued to haunt him.

In order to prevent the prophecy to come true, he planned to engross Siddhattha in the pleasures and carnal joys of life. Suddhodhana built three luxurious palaces for the son to live in, one for each season, summer, winter and monsoon. The palace was surrounded by vast garden beautiful laid out with all kinds of trees and flowers. Each palace was well furnished with all the requirements and excitements for a full amorous life.

He consulted Family Priest Udai. He thought of providing a harem for the prince with very beautiful inmates who can attract the Prince. This was all planned to trap Siddhattha in the life full of lust.

(harem = a group of women or wives serving like courtesans)

Having collected the inmates of harem, Udai first advised them how they should win over the prince.

Udai addressed the women saying, "You all are skilled in different styles, possessed of beauty and gracefulness. With these graces and styles of yours, you are able to move even dignified sages. You have the ability to enrapture even women, so men are easy to trap. If women like you can control the sages, the delicate Prince is in the first flower of his age."

Udai also added, "In olden time a great seer, hard to be conquered even by Gods, was spurned by a harlot from Kasi city, planting her feet upon him.

The great seer Visvamitra, though plunged in a profound penance, was carried captive for ten years in the forests by the nymph Ghritaki."

So, the beautiful women were given the noble task to submerge Prince Siddhattha into the pleasures and carnal joys of life.

- The Women Failed To Win Prince Siddhattha -

After Udai's detailed advice, the women were confident to achieve the task but were very much doubtful for themselves. They didn't feel that Prince would get attracted by their brows, their glances, their coquetries (skillful flirting), their smiles, their delicate movements or any such thing.

The women did their best to intoxicate Siddhattha in every possible manner. Here are some examples of their efforts.

Attended by women, he shone in that pleasant grove, as the sun surrounded by Apsaras in his royal garden. There, some of them, urged by passion, pressed him with their full, firm bosoms in gentle collisions.

Others violently embraced him, leaned on him with their shoulders down.

Some women, with their golden ones tinkling, wandered about here and there, showing him their bodies veiled with thin cloth.

Other leaned, holding a mango bough in hand, displaying their bosoms (breasts) like golden jars.

Another sang a sweet song with proper gesticulations, rousing him.

Another, with beautiful, full bosoms, and having her earrings waving in the wind, laughed loudly at him, as if saying, "Catch me, sir, if you can."

One woman displayed her the imperial power of females, by showing her the goose in the water going behind his mate, following her like a slave.

Thus these young women, their souls carried away by love, assailed the prince with all kind of stratagems.

Although thus attacked, he, having his sense guarded by self-control, neither rejoiced nor smiled. He pondered with an undisturbed and steadfast mind. He knew, for old age will destroy whatever beauty has.

This round of blandishment went on for months and years with no results.

The women, Udai and Suddhodhana, all failed to divert Siddhattha.

Further we'll see the conversation between Udai and Siddhattha.

To be continued in Next Article... 

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Namo Buddhay.

The Enlightened Buddha - Article 4

DAY 4 - ARTICLE 4

- Siddhattha : Childhood, Education, Behaviour and Attitude -

Siddhattha grew in the company of his cousins. He had a younger brother Nanda, son of Mahapajapati.

Others like Mahanama and Anuruddha, sons of his uncle Sukkodan; Ananda, son of his uncle Amitodan; Devadatta, son of his aunt Amita. Mahanama was older than Siddhattha, and Ananda was younger.

At the age of eight, he started his education. The very eight Brahmins whom Suddhodhana had invited to interpret Mahamaya's dream, and who had predicted Siddhattha's future, were his first teachers.

Sabbamitta, distinguished scholar, a philologist and grammarian, well read in Vedas, Vedangas, and Upanishads, was his second teacher. Under him Gotama mastered all the philosophical systems prevalent in his day.

Besides this, he had learned the science of concentration and meditation from one Bharadvaja, a disciple of Alara Kalama, who had his ashram at Kapilavatthu.

Siddhattha was also given formal education of archery and military science.

Once, at his father's farm he saw the labourers ploughing the land, cutting trees, dressed in scanty clothes under a hot burning sun. He was greatly moved by the sight. He was against exploitation of man by man.

Being from a warrior class, he was best in archery and the use of weapons. But he disliked causing unnecessary injury or killing of innocent animals. He refused to join hunting parties.

Mahapajapati Gotami tried endlessly to explain him that he was a Kshatriya and he should learn the art of fighting that can be learnt only through hunting, for only by hunting one can learn to aim accurately. Everything was in vain.

Siddhattha firmly argued, why should Kshatriyas fight? If all Kshatriyas loved one another, would they not be able to protect their kingdom without resort to killing or creating enmity?

Mahapajapati Gotami had no answer.

He tried to induce his companions to join him in practising meditation. He taught them the proper pose. But his friends did not take the matter seriously. They laughed at him.

King Suddhodhana and Mahapajapati Gotami were very much worried because of Siddhattha's partiality for meditation which was very contrary to the life of a Kshatriya.

His childhood was marked by the presence of supreme sense of compassion.

Once at his father's farm, sitting under a tree, enjoying the beauty of nature, an injured bird fell from the sky just in front of him. The bird had been shot at with an arrow which had pierced his body and was fluttering about in great agony.

Siddhattha removed the arrow, dressed its wound, gave it water to drink, and held it next to his chest to give it warmth.

It was his cousin Devadatta who had shot the bird. Devadatta came looking for the bird and asked Siddhattha if he had seen it. Siddhattha replied in the affirmative action and showed him the bird, which had by that time completely recovered. Devadatta demanded for the bird, Siddhattha refused to hand over. A sharp argument ensued between the two.

Devadatta's point was that one who kills the animal is the owner of the animal. Siddhattha's argument was how can be the person who wants to kill be the owner? He who protects has the right to claim the ownership. On arbitration, the arbitrator upheld (supported) Siddhattha Gotama's point of view.

From then onwards, Devadatta became a permanent enemy of Siddhattha.

However, Siddhattha's spirit of compassion kept growing for all.

Such was the character of young Gotama, full of love and compassion.

- Marriage - 

At the age of sixteen, Siddhattha was married to a sixteen year old Yashodhara, daughter of Sakya citizen Dandapani.

Yashodhara was well known for her beauty and for her 'sila'.

A 'swayamvar' was held and Dandapani had sent invitations to young men of all the neighbouring countries, including Prince Siddhattha.

From amongst the young men, Yashodhara's choice fell on Siddhattha Gotama.

But Dandapani was not happy as he had seen Siddhattha mostly in the company of saints and sages. He knew Siddhattha preferred loneliness. He was doubtful for the success of their marriage.

Even though Yashodhara had already chosen Siddhattha, rivals of Siddhattha were disappointed. They said Yashodhara should have applied some test for her selection. She denied.

But finally, a test of skill of archery was prescribed. Initially Siddhattha refused to contest. But, Channa, charioteer pointed out that his refusal would bring shame and disgrace to his parents and family. So Gotama agreed. Out of all the candidates, Gotama gained the highest marksmanship. Thereafter the marriage took place.

All the parties were happy.

After a long term of married life, Yashodhara gave birth to a son, named Rahula.

Further we'll see what did Suddhodhana, as a father do to save his son.

Beautiful women failed to win the prince.

To be continued in Next Article....

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Namo Buddhay.

The Enlightened Buddha - Article 3

DAY 3 - ARTICLE 3

- Visit by Asita Muni -

At the birth of Siddhattha, there lived a genius sage named Asita in Himalayas. From some reliable sources he came to know that a divine child has born on this land. Surveying with his divine eyes the whole of the Jambudvipa, Asita saw that a boy was born in the house of Suddhodhana, shining with all brilliance, in Kapilavatthu.

So the great sage Asita, with his nephew Nardatta came to meet Suddhodhana and to see the divine child. After a generous and respectful welcome by the king, Asita was asked for his cause to visit Kapilavatthu.

Thereupon Asita said to Suddhodhana, "A son is born to you, O Raja! Desiring to see him, have I come."

The king said that the child was asleep.

The sage said, "Not long, O King, do such great beings sleep? Such good beings are by nature wakeful."

When the child was awake, Suddhodhana brought him to Asita muni. Asita observed the child, beheld that it was endowed with the thirty-two marks of a great man and adorned with the eighty minor marks. Asita knew the old well-known prophecy that anyone endowed with the thirty-two marks of a great man, as Gotama Siddhattha was, has two careers open to him, and no third.

"If he becomes a householder, he will become a universal monarch. But if he goes forth from the home to a homeless life, he will become a fully enlightened Buddha." Asita was sure that the child would not remain a householder.

Looking at the child he wept, shedded tears, sighed deeply. Suddhodhana said, "Is there any misfortune in the life of the Prince?" Asita said, "I weep not for the sake of the child. I weep for myself."

Asita added, "I am old, aged, advanced in years, and this boy will without doubt become a Buddha and attain supreme and complete enlightenment. I shall not see that Buddha. I weep, and in sadness I sigh deeply, for I shall not be able to reverence him."

Thereupon Asita said to Nardatta, his nephew, "When you shall hear that the child has become a Buddha, then go and take refuge in his teachings. This shall be for your wellness, welfare and happiness."

Finally, Asita took leave of the Raja and departed for his hermitage.

- Death of Siddhattha's mother - 

After the name-giving ceremony of the boy, after five days of delivery, Mahamaya suddenly fell seriously ill.

She called Suddhodhana and her elder sister Mahapajapati to her beside and said, "I am sure that the prophecy made by Asita about my son will come true. My regret is that I will not live to see it fulfilled."

"To you, Pajapati, I entrust my child; I have no doubt that you will be to him more than his mother. Now do not be sorry and permit me to die peacefully", so saying, Mahamaya breathed her last.

Both Suddhodhana and Mahapajapati were greatly grieved and wept bitterly.

Siddhattha was only seven days old when he lost her mother Mahamaya.

Siddhattha grew in the company of his cousins.

He took education with them.

To be continued in Next Article....

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Namo Buddhay.

The Enlightened Buddha - Article 1

(Some words used here are in Pali language)

DAY 1 - ARTICLE 1

- His Kula and His Ancestry -

Period : 6th Century

Region : Northern India

The country was divided into many small and large states, some monarchial and some non-monarchial.

Monarchial states were 16 in number including Magadha, Kasi, Kosala etc.

They were known as Janapada.

Non-monarchial states like the Sakyas of Kapilavatthu, the Mallas of Puva and Kushinara, the Lichhavis of Vesali etc. were called Sangh or Gana.

In Sangh, there were turns of families to rule as Raja. At the time of the birth of Siddhattha Gotama, it was the turn of his father Suddhodhana to be the Raja.

Location of Sakya : Northeast Corner of India. Sakya State could not exercise certain sovereign powers without the sanction of the King of Kosala.

Capital of Sakya State : Kapilavatthu.

Suddhodhana, the son of Sihahanu and Kaccana, the grandson of Jaya Sena, had four brothers and two sisters.

The gotra of the family was Aditya.

Suddhodhana was a man of great military powers. He had two wives, Mahamaya and Mahapajapati.

Mahapajapati was the elder sister of Mahamaya.

The two sisters were the daughters of Anjana and Sulakkhana, residing in the village Devadaha.

Sakyas had large lands and they lived a luxurious life.

To Mahamaya was born the Prince Siddhattha Gotama.

To be continued in Next Article....

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Namo Buddhay. 🙏🏻