Birth of prince Siddhartha from "summary" of The Epic of the Buddha by Chittadhar Hrdaya
In the kingdom of Kapilavastu, the queen Mahamaya dreamt of a white elephant entering her womb, a vision signifying the birth of a supremely virtuous being. When the time came for the queen to give birth, she decided to visit her parents in Devadaha. Along the way, she stopped in the Lumbini Garden, a place of great beauty and tranquility. As she reached out to a sal tree for support during labor, the baby prince Siddhartha emerged from her right side, bringing joy and light to the world. The newborn prince was radiant and pure, exuding an aura of wisdom and compassion that touched all who beheld him. The gods themselves marveled at his arrival, knowing that he would one day illuminate the path to enlightenment for all sentient beings. King Suddhodana, the prince's father, was overjoyed at the birth of his son and proclaimed that he would become a great ruler, surpassing all others in glory and virtue. Astrologers foretold that the prince would either become a great king or renounce the world to seek spiritual truth. Determined to shield his son from the harsh realities of life, King Suddhodana ordered the construction of three magnificent palaces for the prince to dwell in, surrounded by every luxury and comfort. The king hoped to ensure that his son would choose the path of kingship and continue the family line. Despite his father's efforts to shield him from suffering, the prince Siddhartha could not escape the inevitable truths of life. One day, while venturing outside the palace walls, he encountered an old man, a sick man, and a corpse. Disturbed by the sight of suffering and impermanence, the prince realized that all beings are subject to old age, sickness, and death, regardless of their status or wealth. This revelation sparked a deep longing within the prince to understand the nature of existence and find a way to transcend the cycle of birth and death. Thus, at the age of twenty-nine, Prince Siddhartha renounced his princely life, leaving behind his family, wealth, and kingdom in search of spiritual enlightenment. His journey would lead him to become the Buddha, the awakened one, and illuminate the path to liberation for all beings.
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