The Fo-sho-hing-tsan-king: A Life of Buddha — SBE Vol. 19 (trans. Samuel Beal, 1883)

They gazed upon him not with furtive glance, 378

But like the deer in autumn brake looks wistfully at the hunter; around the prince’s straight and handsome form, (bright) as the mountain of true gold (Sumeru), 379

The dancing women gathered doubtingly, waiting to hear him bid them sound their music; repressing every feeling of the heart through fear, even as the deer within the brake; 380

Now gradually the day began to wane, the prince still sitting in the evening light, his glory streaming forth in splendour, as the sun lights up Mount Sumeru; 381

Thus seated on his jewelled couch, surrounded by the fumes of sandal-wood, the dancing women took their places round; then sounded forth their heavenly (Gandharva) music, 382

Even as Vaisaman (Vaisravama) produces every kind of rare and heavenly sounds. The thoughts which dwelt within the prince’s mind entirely drove from him desire for music, 383

And tho’ the sounds filled all the place, they fell upon his ear unnoticed. At this time the Deva of the Pure abode, knowing the prince’s time was come, 384

The destined time for quitting home, suddenly assumed a form and came to earth, to make the shapes of all the women unattractive, so that they might create disgust, 385

And no desire arise from thought of beauty.
Their half-clad forms bent in ungainly attitudes,

1, 5 LEAVING THE CITY. 55

forgetful in their sleep, their bodies crooked or supine, the instruments of music lying scattered in disorder; 386

Leaning and facing one another, or with back to back, or like those beings thrown into the abyss, their jewelled necklets bound about like chains, their clothes and undergarments swathed around their persons; 387

Grasping their instruments, stretched along the earth, even as those undergoing punishment at the hands of keepers (eunuchs), their garments in confusion, or like the broken kani flower (poppy?); 388

Or some with bodies leaning in sleep against the wall, in fashion like a hanging bow or horn, or with their hands holding to the window-frames, and looking like an outstretched corpse; 389

Their mouths half opened or else gaping wide, the loathsome dribble trickling forth, their heads uncovered and in wild disorder, like some unreasoning madman’s; 390

The flower wreaths torn and hanging across their face, or slipping off the face upon the ground; others with body raised as if in fearful dread, just like the lonely desert (?) bird; 391

Or others pillowed on their neighbour's lap, their hands and feet entwined together, whilst others smiled or knit their brows in turn, some with eyes closed and open mouth, 392

Their bodies lying in wild disorder, stretched here and there, like corpses thrown together. And now the prince seated, in his beauty, looked with thought on all the waiting women; 393

Before, they had appeared exceeding lovely, their laughing words, their hearts so light and gay, their

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And now the prince seated, in his beauty, looked with thought on all the waiting women; 393

Before, they had appeared exceeding lovely, their laughing words, their hearts so light and gay, theirp. 56 forms so plump and young, their looks so bright ; but now, how changed! so uninviting and repulsive. 394

And such is woman's disposition! how can they, then, be ever dear, or closely trusted; such false appearances! and unreal pretences; they only madden and delude the minds of men. 395

And now (he said), ‘I have awakened to the truth ! Resolved am I to leave such false society.’ At this time the Deva of the Pure abode descended and approached, unfastening the doors. 396

The prince, too, at this time rose and walked along, amid the prostrate forms of all the women; with difficulty reaching to the inner hall, he called to Kandaka, in these words, 397

‘My mind is now athirst and longing for the draught of the fountain of sweet dew, saddle then my horse, and quickly bring it here. I wish to reach the deathless city; 398

‘My heart is fixed beyond all change, resolved I am and bound by sacred oath ; these women, once so charming and enticing, now behold I altogether loathsome; 399

‘The gates, which were before fast-barred and locked, now stand free and open! these evidences of something supernatural, point to a climax of my life.’ 400

Then Xandaka stood reflecting inwardly, whether to obey or not the prince’s order, without informing his royal father of it, and so incur the heaviest punishment. 4o1

The Devas then gave spiritual strength; and unperceived the horse equipped came round, with even pace; a gallant steed, with all his jewelled trappings for a rider; 402

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High-maned, with flowing tail, broad-backed, short - haired and ear'd, with belly like the deer’s, head like the king of parrots, wide forehead, round and claw-shaped nostrils, 403

Breath like the dragon’s, with breast and shoulders square, true and sufficient marks of his high breed. The royal prince, stroking the horse’s neck, and rubbing down his body, said, 404

‘My royal father ever rode on thee, and found thee brave in fight and fearless of the foe; now I desire to rely on thee alike! to carry me far off to the stream (ford) of endless life, 405

‘To fight against and overcome the opposing force of men, the men who associate in search of pleasure, the men who engage in the search after wealth, the crowds who follow and flatter such persons; 406

‘In opposing sorrow, friendly help is difficult (to find), in seeking religious truth there must be rare enlightenment, let us then be knit together thus as friends; then, at last, there will be rest from sorrow. 407

‘ But now I wish to go abroad, to give deliverance from pain; now then, for your own sake it is, and for the sake of all your kind, 408

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‘ But now I wish to go abroad, to give deliverance from pain; now then, for your own sake it is, and for the sake of all your kind, 408

‘That you should exert your strength, with noble pace, without lagging or weariness. Having thus exhorted him, he bestrode his horse, and grasping the reins, proceeded forth; 409

The man like the sun shining forth from his tabernacle (sun-palace-streams), the horse like the white floating cloud (the white cloud-pile), exerting himself but without exciting haste, his breath concealed and without snorting; 410

Four spirits (Devas) accompanying him, held up rap. 58 his feet, heedfully concealing (his advance), silently and without noise; the heavy gates fastened and barred (locked), the heavenly spirits of themselves caused to open; 411 ~ Reverencing deeply the virtuous (sinless) father, loving deeply the unequalled son, equally affected with love towards all the members of his family (these Devas took their place). 412

Suppressing his feelings, but not extinguishing his memory, lightly he advanced and proceeded beyond the city, pure and spotless as the lily flowers which spring from the mud; 413

Looking up with earnestness at his father’s palace, he announced his purpose —unwitnessed and unwritten—‘ If I escape not birth, old age, and death, for evermore I pass not thus along;’ 414

All the concourse of Devas, the space-filling Nagas and spirits followed joyfully and exclaimed Well! well! (sAdhu), in confirmation of the true words (he spoke); 415

The N4gas and the company of Devas acquired a condition of heart difficult to obtain, and each with his own inherent light led on the way shedding forth their brightness. 416

Thus man and horse both strong of heart went onwards, lost to sight, like streaming stars, but ere the eastern quarter flashed with light, they had advanced three yoganas. 417

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KIOUEN II.

Varca 6. THe Return or AANDAKA!,

And now the night was in a moment gone, and sight restored to all created things, (when the royal prince) looked thro’ the wood, and saw the abode of Po-ka, the Ashi ; [the hermitage of the Bhargavides, see Burnouf, Introduction to Ind. Bud. p. 385]; 418

The purling streams so exquisitely pure and sparkling, and the wild beasts all unalarmed at man, caused the royal prince’s heart to exult. Tired, the horse? stopped of his own will, to breathe. 419

‘This, then, he thought, ‘is a good sign and fortunate, and doubtless indicates divine approval®.’ And now he saw belonging to the Azshi, the various vessels‘ used for (asking) charity; 420

And (other things) arranged by him in order, without the slightest trace of negligence. Dismounting then he stroked his horse’s head, and cried, ‘You now have borne me (well)!’ 421