A History of Indian Literature v2.c19.s3.t1.51

v2.c19.s3.t1.51

The young prince Raṭṭhapāla desires to become a monk. His parents absolutely refuse to consent, but, by refusing to take any food, he compels them to give their permission. Years later, he returns as a monk to his native town, and begs at the door of his parents' home. His father does not recognise him, and drives him from the threshold with abuse. "By these shaven monks," he cries, "our only dearly beloved son was induced to renounce the world." Meanwhile the nurse comes out to throw away some scraps of food. The mendicant monk begs for these scraps for his meal. Then the servant recognises him as the son of the house, and announces this to her master. The latter comes out and invites his son to enter the house. The latter politely declines, saying “Not so, I have already dined to-day.” However, he accepts an invitation for the next day. His father prepares for him not only a meal, but heaps up gold and ornaments in the dining-room, and instructs the former wives of Raṭṭhapāla to adorn themselves. The next day he is received splendidly, and his father offers him all the jewels and treasures. But Raṭṭhapāla only says: “If you want to follow my advice, father, then load all the gold and ornaments on a cart and throw it into the Ganges where it is deepest. And why? Because nothing but pain and misery, wretchedness and sufferings will arise out of it.” Neither will he have anything to do with the women, who throw themselves coaxingly at his feet. After he has finished his meal, he goes his way. Then he meets the king of the Kuru-land, who says that he can understand that a person who has become old or ill or poor or has lost his relatives becomes a monk, but he cannot understand why one who is young, happy and healthy should renounce the world. Raṭṭhapāla answers him in a speech on the vanity of existence and the insatiableness of desire, and convinces the Kuru-king in a Socratic dialogue, of the truth of the doctrine of Buddha.