by family, aimed to obtain their several suits, all of them joined in relationship dreading the pain of separation.  And now the prince’s heart was filled with joy, as he suddenly heard those words “separation and association.”  “These are joyful sounds to me,” he said, “they assure me that my vow shall be accomplished.”  Then deeply pondering the joy of “snapped relationship,” the idea of Nirvana, deepened and widened in him, his body as a peak of the Golden Mount, his shoulder like the elephant’s, his voice like the spring-thunder, his deep-blue eye like that of the king of oxen; his mind full of religious thoughts, his face bright as the full moon, his step like that of the lion king, thus he entered his palace; even as the son of Lord Sakra, or Sakra-putra, his mind reverential, his person dignified, he went straight to his father’s presence, and with head inclined, inquired, “Is the king well?” Then he explained his dread of age, disease, and death, and sought respectfully permission to become a hermit.  “For all things in the world,” he said, “though now united, tend to separation.”  Therefore he prayed to leave the world; desiring to find “true deliverance.”

His royal father hearing the words “leave the world,” was forthwith seized with great heart-trembling, even as the strong wild elephant shakes with his weight the boughs of some young sapling; going forward, seizing the prince’s hands, with falling tears, he spake as follows:  “Stop! nor speak such words, the time is not yet come for ’a religious life;’ you are young and strong, your heart beats full, to lead a religious life frequently involves trouble; it is rarely possible to hold the desires in check, the heart not yet estranged from their enjoyment; to leave your home and lead a painful ascetic life, your heart can hardly yet resolve on such a course.  To dwell amidst the desert wilds or lonely dells, this heart of yours would not be perfectly at rest, for though you love religious matters, you are not yet like me in years; you should undertake the kingdom’s government, and let me first adopt ascetic life; but to give up your father and your sacred duties, this is not to act religiously; you should suppress this thought of ‘leaving home,’ and undertake your worldly duties, find your delight in getting an illustrious name, and after this give up your home and family.”

The prince, with proper reverence and respectful feelings, again besought his royal father; but promised if he could be saved from four calamities, that he would give up the thought of “leaving home.”  If he would grant him life without end, no disease, nor undesirable old age, and no decay of earthly possessions, then he would obey and give up the thought of “leaving home.”

The royal father then addressed the prince, “Speak not such words as these, for with respect to these four things, who is there able to prevent them, or say nay to their approach; asking such things as these, you would provoke men’s laughter!  But put away this thought of ’leaving home,’ and once more take yourself to pleasure.”