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FROM BIRTH TO PARIVRAJA
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saying : “Here was a Sakya blessed with high lineage, noble parentage, possessed of considerable riches, in the bloom of youthful vigour, accomplished in mind and body, brought up in luxury, who fought his kinsmen for the sake of maintaining peace on earth and goodwill towards men.
“Here was a Sakya youth who when out voted by his kinsmen refused to submit but preferred to undergo voluntary 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 was 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 Sakya Sinha.”
How true were the words of Kisa Gotami, a Sakya maiden. When referring to Siddharth Gautama, she said : “Blessed indeed is the mother, blessed indeed is the father, who has such a son. Blessed indeed is the wife who has such a husband.”
§ 19. The Prince and the Servant
Channa too should have gone back home with Kanthaka. But he refused to go. He insisted on seeing the Prince off with Kanthaka at least to the banks of the river Anoma and so insistent was Channa that the Gautama had to yield to his wishes.
At last they reached the banks of the river Anoma.
Then turning to Channa he said : “Good friend, thy devotion to me has been proved by thy thus following me. I am wholly won in heart by thee, ye who have such a love for your master.
“I am pleased with your noble feelings towards me, even though I am powerless of conferring any reward.
“Who would not be favourably disposed to one who stands to him as bringing him reward ? But
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