A FINAL FAREWELL TO PRINCESS YASODHARA AND SON

After enjoying the park, a deva dressed Siddhattha Gotama in divine clothing. He entered his palace, sat on his royal couch, and was quickly surrounded by beautiful women singing, dancing, and playing music for his amusement.

But the future Buddha had already decided that Nirvana is the absence of passion and torment. So, the women did not entice him, and he fell asleep. Then, the women stopped trying to entertain him, and fell asleep.

When he awoke, he saw them lying all around, drooling and muttering as they slept, their fine dresses in disarray. They seemed like dead bodies to him, and the palace seemed like a prison. He decided to withdraw from the world then and there. He asked an attendant to saddle his horse.

On that day, his wife, Princess Yasodhara, gave birth to their son. When he heard the news, he said, “A fetter (Rahula) has been born, a bondage has been born.” So, King Suddhodana named the boy Rahula.

The birth of a son brought with it a new connection to household life, but he believed the child would be an obstacle to his goal of renunciation, much like the way the mythological figure, Rahu obstructs the moon.

Siddhattha Gotama went to take one look at his son before leaving. He opened the door to Princess Yasodhara’s rooms and looked in. Gazing at them, he saw that if he were to pick up Rahula, he would wake his wife, which would delay his departure.

Thus, he decided to first become the Buddha and meet his only son later. He left the palace that very night in search of enlightenment, leaving behind his family, his title, and his wealth.