Story of the Buddha – Chapter 4：Early Life of Buddha｜"The Prophecy of Sage Asita"

Deep in the forest, the venerable sage Asita sat in quiet meditation. Long ago, he had served as royal advisor and teacher to King Suddhodana. But now, Asita spent his final years in quiet solitude, his life devoted to inner contemplation. As he finished his meditation, one morning, he noticed a strange glow in the air around him. Celestial music filled the sky and heavenly beings danced with joy. Curious, Asita asked the devas, why such celebrations in the heavens? The Bodhisattva has been born, they replied. One who will become the Buddha has entered the human world. Moved by this revelation, he made the journey to Kapilavastu without any delay. The king and queen were stunned and honoured by the sudden arrival of the great ascetic. What brings you here, O holy one? The king Suddhodana asked with deep respect. I have seen signs, Asita replied, and I believe your child is the cause of these celestial celebrations. Eagerly, the king brought the young prince to the sage so that the child could be blessed by him. But to the surprise of all, the legs of the child moved and rested on the matted clogs of the ascetic. Rather than being offended, Asita rose from his seat and saluted the child with his folded hands, recognising this as a sign of extraordinary destiny. The ascetic kept on staring at the child in silence for a long time. Looking closely, he saw the 32 marks of a Mahapurusha, a great man. He looked sadly up at the sky. Tears filled his eyes and he began to cry. Alarmed, the king asked, is something wrong? No, said Asita, smiling through his tears. This child is destined to become either a great monarch or a fully enlightened Buddha. But I weep because I will not live long enough to hear the supreme truth from the Buddha and will not be able to benefit from the ultimate wisdom of the Buddha as I will die long before he attains Buddhahood. I have spent my whole life seeking the truth he will one day reveal. He offered his blessings and taking one long last look at the baby Siddhartha, slowly left the palace. King Shuddhodana watched him leave and then turned towards the prince. The king could not help but wonder, would his son rule the world or renounce it to transform it forever? Explore the incredible life of Siddhartha Gautama, the prince who became the Buddha. This book brings you his story, his teachings and real life lessons filled with timeless wisdom. It's easy to follow and deeply inspiring. Get your copy now. Just click the link in the description or in the pinned comment below.