太子瑞應本起經 1.34

1.34

"The King, wishing to comfort Gopikā's mind and also deeply moved himself, immediately selected several thousand eminent and worthy men of the kingdom. Choosing those with heavy burdens and many sons and grandsons, he took five men and granted them an audience. The King said: 'You hold your grown sons and embrace your grandsons at home; do you alone experience joy? I have one son who had never stepped out the door; one morning he abandoned me to journey far into deep mountains, through hazardous valleys and ravines. Who can know the perils of good and ill fortune, or the suffering of cold, heat, hunger, and thirst? I must trouble you five men: each send one son to pursue and seek him, and upon finding him, they must follow and attend him. If anyone abandons him midway and returns, I will exterminate your clans.' Thereupon, Ajñāta-Kauṇḍinya and the other four men received the command to pursue the Prince. Catching up with him in the deep mountains, they followed and attended him for several years. The Prince did not speak with them, but walked on as before, climbing mountains and ridges, and traversing deep valleys. The five men found this hard to bear and said: 'This is merely a madman! What Way does he possess? He walks without choosing a path; how can we follow him? If we abandon him and return, the King will exterminate our families; it is better to remain here.' Where the five men remained, there was a fine spring, and sweet fruits were not lacking."