Way to Overcome Sufferings

When the prince Siddharth Gautam was borne, the fortune-tellers forecasted that either he will be become a great king or a great saint. His father, Shuddhodana, the king of Kapirvastu wanted that he should be his successor and look after the kingdom. So getting alerted by the forecast, he kept him mostly in the palace premises only and provided him all the needed facilities there. He made it certain that Siddharth should never learn or know ahout the sufferings in the world. To invove him more in worldly matters, he even married him at the age of 16 with a girl from high family, named Yashodhara.

Once Siddharth desired to visit the city. His father though reluctantly, permitted him to go alongwith an able charioteer. He also instructed the charioteer to take Siddharth only in the neat and pleasant surroundings. When Siddharth riding on his chariot was seeing the city, he saw that some people were giving support to a person and leading him. Siddharth asked the charioteer, ‘What is this ?’ The charioteer replied that he is a sick person. His relatives are taking him to the Doctor. Siddharth further asked, ‘Do all human beings fall sick?’ The charioteer replied. Yes, anyone can fall sick.

After going a little farther, Siddharth saw an old man. He asked the charioteer, ‘Why this man is walking in a bent position? What has happened to him ? The charioteer replied that he has grown old. That is why he is finding difficulty. Siddharth again asked, ‘Do all people get old like this?’ The charioteer replied, ‘Yes, the old age comes to every one.’

After going a little farther, Siddharth saw that a man was lying on the bed and four persons were carrying the bed. Some people were following them. Siddhart asked the charioteer. ‘What is this ? Why are they taking the man like this ? The charioteer replied that the man on the bed is dead. His family members are taking him for the last rites. Siddharth asked again, ‘Do all human being die one day ?’ Yes, it so happens, replied the chartioteer. No one lives in this world for ever, he added.

After going a little farther, Siddharth saw a hermit sitting under a tree. His face was glowing with divine light. Siddharth asked the charioteer, ‘Who is this man?’ The charioteer replied that he is a saint. He has abandoned all and now has no worry. He is fully devoted to God. Siddharth was very impressed wih his glowing face. Thereafter they returned to the palace.

The scenes of human sufferings that Siddharth witnessed touched his tender heart. But the glowing face of the saint was coming before his eyes again and again. He had realized that the world was full of sufferings. And at the same time the Saint had indirectly shown him the way to overcome this suffering. He finally made up mind. And one night when his wife was asleep, he left home saying good bye to the comforts of the kingdom and went out to find out a permanent solution to overcome sufferings of the world. He worked hard and after six years’ devotion and meditation, he got realization and became Gautam Buddha.