The Perfection of Renunciation (5th)

“Then again when I was

in the city of Brahmavaḍḍhana,

I was reborn there

in a fine, wealthy, and eminent family.

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.

Seeing the many forms of wickedness,

I though to myself:

‘When shall I leave the house

and enter the forest?’

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!’

My younger brother,

who was named Nanda the astute,

followed my ethical practices,

and chose to go forth.

I, Soṇa, and Nanda,

and both my mother and father,

then discarded our riches

entered the great forest.”