Cariyāpiṭaka 25

The Conduct Leading to Buddhahood

The Chapter With Yudhañjaya

The Perfection of Renunciation (5th)

Soṇa the Astute’s Conduct

1 “Then again when I was

in the city of Brahmavaḍḍhana,

I was reborn there

in a fine, wealthy, and eminent family.

2 Even so, I saw that the world

had become blind, smothered in darkness.

My mind recoiled from rebirth,

as if harshly pricked by a goad.

3 Seeing the many forms of wickedness,

I thought to myself:

‘When shall I leave the house

and enter the forest?’

4 Then too my relatives invited me

to enjoy the pleasures of the senses.

I told them of my desire, saying,

‘Do not invite me to such things!’

5 My younger brother,

who was named Nanda the astute,

followed my ethical practices,

and chose to go forth.

6 I, Soṇa, and Nanda,

and both my mother and father,

then discarded our riches

and entered the great forest.”