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FROM BIRTH TO PARIVRAJA
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ascetic forest, covered with the shoots of rough Kusa grass ?
“How could I, O Prince, by mine own will, — knowing this thy decision,—carry back the horse to the sorrow of Kapilavatsu ?
“Surely thou will not abandon that fond old king, so devoted to his son, as a heretic might the true religion ?
“And her, thy second mother, worn with the care of bringing thee up,—thou will not surely forget her, as an ingrate does a benefit ?
“Thou wilt not surely abandon thy wife endowed with all virtues, illustrious for her family, devoted to her husband and with a young son.
“Thou wilt not abandon the young son of Yeshodhara, worthy of all praise, thou the best of the cherishers of religion and fame, as a dissolute spend thrift his choicest glory ?
“Or even if thy mind be resolved to abandon thy kindred and thy kingdom, thou will not, O Master, abandon me,—thy feet are my only refuge.
“I cannot go to the city with my soul thus burning, leaving thee behind in the forest.
“What will the king say to me, returning to the city without thee, or what shall I say to thy wife by way of telling them good news ?
“As for what thou sayest, ‘ thou must repeat my unworthiness to the king ’ who could think or believe it ?” continued Channa. “Even if I ventured to speak it with a heart ashamed and a tongue cleaving to my mouth, he may not appreciate it.
“Him who is always compassionate and who never fails to feel pity, it ill befits to abandon one who loves ; turn back and have mercy on me.”
Having heard these words of Channa over come with sorrow, Siddharth Gautama with the utmost gentleness answered :
“Abandon this distress Channa, regarding thy separation from me,—change is inevitable in corporeal beings who are subject to different births.
“Even if I through affection were not to
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