The Beginnings of Buddhist Art and Other Essays in Indian and Central-Asian Archaeology c6.s1.16

c6.s1.16

XXV. Once even it is from his earliest infancy that he gives evidence of his resolution to know nothing of this world, and he feigns to be dumb, deaf and paralyzed (*Jât.* 538). In vain are many experiments tried to prove him; neither privations nor delicacies, nor toys, nor noises, nor lights, nor fear, nor suffering, nor (when he is nearly sixteen years old) voluptuous temptations can draw from him a gesture, a cry, or any sign whatever of sensibility or intelligence. That is why you see him lying so stiff in the lap of his father, the king of Benares (pl. V, 6). The latter ends by becoming weary of such a son, and orders his chariot-driver to take him out of the town and bury him, dead or alive. Thus, at the bottom, we see Prince Sêmiya standing near an empty quadriga, whilst on the right the driver is busy with a hoe, hollowing out a grave. However, the prince suddenly decides to move and speak: