The town of Kapilvastu is in a festive mood. Since early morning, even before the Sun could spread its red carpet, people are on the streets. Sidharth, the prince of Kapilvastu, after years of meditation and attainment of knowledge, is to come to this town. 

The respect of the people for the king and prince was not that important nor the reason. But the sudden disappearance of Sidharth, his attainment of Buddhatva (Knowledge), and his discourses were a topic of hot discussion. People of this town were happy, proud and eager to welcome him, hear him and were busy preparing for his grand arrival.
In the outskirts of the town, in an orchard, the first rays of sun kissed the face of meditating Buddh. In Sunlight, the compassion, peace and knowledge on his face dazzled. He opened his eyes and looked around. Everything was so familiar. These trees, the smell of the earth, and flowers reminded him of days he had spent in this garden. Once upon a time all these belonged to him. But now? He, who owns nothing, possesses the whole universe.

With a sweet smile he welcomed the day and got up. He had decided to go to town for Bhiksha(receive alms). Suddenly a tremor passed through his body. This was the very place where he had left Yashodhara (his wife) and Rahul (his son). He did not know any thing about them. Where were they? How were they?

How unhappy she must have felt when he left them? How many tears she must have shed? How would she have spent her life?

All these questions, like a storm passed through his mind. ‘She must have felt enraged, must have cursed me, must have felt betrayed. She must have told Rahul about the terrible injustice done to them’ he thought.  He felt a little weak at these thoughts.

But he had made up his mind to go to Yashodhara and seek Bhiksha from her. The inner corner of his mind was fighting vigorously. “With what face will you go to them? And what explanation will you give for deserting them? Do you have the courage to face her wrath, her biter crying? Will you be able to face rejection by Rahul and have the strength to look in their eyes? Will you be able to leave her again? Will you not feel like staying with her, once again?” He did not oppose these thoughts, simply observed them. He could read his fears; he knew how the mind plays its games.  In a moment this self- realisation made him comfortable.

At every street and every corner hundreds of people had gathered to welcome him, enjoying the compassionate serene look on his face. Buddh, wrapped in a single cloth looked far more elegant and pleasing to eyes than any prince in his princely attire. They touched his feet and requested him to step in their homes. Passing through the known streets he reached the palace gates, which were open. Touching his feet the gatekeeper cried bitterly. He had, so often, seen him entering this gate mounted on a chariot and dressed like a prince. This transformation was unbearable for him. He hardly had any knowledge of the price one pays for enlightenment. Very affectionately Buddh raised him and soothed his nerves. Once again there was a momentary storm in his mind. “Oh! If this poor gatekeeper is so affected, what would be the condition of Yashodhara?  He shook off this thought. He was totally composed, prepared to face her terrible sobs, her wrath, her abuses, her complaints, and unwelcoming eyes of Rahul. He was very certain that neither this nor her sweet lovely face will deter him from his tranquility. “Only compassion is the answer,” he said to himself. Loudly he said, “Bhikshandehi (Give alms please)”

Just at that moment Supremely beautiful Yashodhara emerged from the palace, bowed down and said, “welcome My Lord”

Buddha was surprised amazed rather. Much contrary to what he had expected, Yashodhara was serene, composed. Compassion beamed from her face. For a moment he felt as if he is looking at his reflection in a mirror.

She did look old, withered, ordinarily dressed, still her beauty was intact. Far more impressive than her beauty, was the peace, serenity and compassion that sparkled from her eyes, her entire being. That ever pervasive, wordless, formless feeling of love, love without attachment, without give and take, the pure simple love for every being, every men and animal, the love Tathagat (Buddh) possessed and preached was trickling from her eyes.

Despite of having the `supreme knowledge`, this form of Yashodhara was something unexpected, quite contrary to what he had thought of. She could read this disbelief, this surprise in his eyes.

She politely offered him a seat and said “ Please be comfortable my lord, are you surprised?”

“Yes you are. Relax my lord; I have no grievance against you, no complaint either. Even when you were with me, I knew, you were far away. We talked, loved, played for hours but I knew, it was just your body, which was with me. Your mind was far, far away searching something unknown, something that was not in the palace. 

On the night of Mahabhinishkraman (the great renunciation) when you left the bed, I was awake; I could see your hesitation to detach yourself from all the attachments. I could see that terrible desire to kiss your son, to hug him before you left. I could see you tearing off that last wish and run away from the room. I knew you were not going to come back. I was wide-awake, I could have stopped you. The thought of my life without you, the unbearable pain of separation was asking me, forcing me to stop you. Just at that time a thought came in my mind. `Just for your selfishness, for your happiness, you are preventing him from taking the path of Mukti (Freedom). You very well know, he has left you much before this date. Will your stopping him, make any difference? Is there any sense of caging the body of a bird that is already flying in the high sky? ` This thought prevented me from stopping you. Despite of the unbearable pain of your departure, I did not shed a tear. That night, my lord, was the night of Mahabhinishkraman (great renunciation) for a woman, who was detaching herself from the thinking of a worldly woman, from the love and grief of meeting and separation, from fear of staying alone from Trishna (desires). 

Very soon I realised `even when you were with me, you were not, and now when you are not with me you are always around.` I never blamed you or my fate or any one else. When Rahul inquired about you, I told him that you have gone in search of knowledge. 

After your departure, life was spent looking after Rahul, our parents, and home. Slowly I started realising that sorrow, happiness, meeting, separation, love and hatred are the products of mind, are the games that thinking creates. In reality none of these things exists. I started recognising the element of ownership in worldly love and that one can love without possession. My lord, even today I love you as much as I loved you in the past. Not only you, I love everyone and everything around me, knowing very well that nothing belongs to me. Without any hatred for you or any one, I am fully satisfied with me and my life”

Rahul was standing close to her, she asked him to bow down to Buddh. She gave whatever little alms Buddh asked for.

Once again, seeing their reflection in each other smiled and parted.

Tathagat(Buddh) started walking back to the orchard. His highly awakened and yet peaceful mind had just discovered 
“The Gnyan (Knowledge) attained under the Bodhi Vriksha (Tree) was incomplete. 
It is not necessary to go to wood for self-realisation. One can become Buddh staying in a palace too.”

- Pulin Vasa