Pre-Buddhist India: A Political, Administrative, Economic, Social and Geographical Survey of Ancient India Based Mainly on the Jataka Stories c4.t2.400

c4.t2.400

We pass on to the final stage in the life of the king. The *Jātaka* kings often seem to follow the long-standing tradition of relinquishing the throne when they attain a certain age, in favour of their sons, and retiring to the forest to lead a life of penance and prayer. The appearance of "Grey Hair" on the king's head is frequently¹ the *'ārammaṇam'* the cause of abdicating the throne. Sometimes the kings have a keen desire to see their sons rule the kingdom and then they hand over the charge and retire.² Again it is not infrequent that they scorn worldly pleasures and yearn for a hermit's life. Even young princes are seen in ascetic moods not caring for the throne that is given to them.³ There is a tremendously pathetic strain in the *gāthās* of the *Culla-Sutasoma Jātaka*⁴ which reproduce the feelings of the near and dear of the king who is about to turn a hermit. The protest, the arguments, the beseechings, gleaned through the *gāthās*, have a remarkable resemblance to those contained in the Great Epic, in the interesting discussion that follows on the desire of King Yudhiṣṭhira to give up royal life and turn a hermit, eminently summarized by Prof. Hopkins in his well-known essay.⁵ However, the custom generally did prevail. We have perhaps, if we believe the traditions, historical examples of Candragupta Maurya and Aśoka following this time-honoured custom.⁶