Genesis of a Sage

He was the scion of a royal family of great renown
A fabulous palace was his abode resplendent in gold
Luxury was his way of life and he had no pain or care
His every whim was satisfied and from worry spared

His father was keen on sheltering him from daily life
Thus the palace served as his prison shielding strife
The young prince believed that life was same everywhere
No other life was known to him than his luxurious fare

As was the custom he submitted to an arranged marriage
He brought home a princess in a bedecked fine carriage
They lived a blissful life and were blessed with a son
The small family lived a life filled with love and fun

One day the Prince got tired of being within his cage
And decided to do something different just for a change
He slipped out when his body guards relaxed their vigil
And went out into his kingdom to see how subjects lived

He came across a family that lived in a desolate hovel
They looked famished and were in appearance dishevelled
Why are you thus? - asked the Prince in great confusion
We are poor, my Lord - said the entire family in profusion

The Prince moved on with a heavy heart and saw another sight
This time it was a man who lay on a bed, pale as in fright
What ails you, my man? - asked the Prince quite concerned
I am diseased, my Prince - said the man looking very disturbed

Poverty and disease in my domain? - wondered the royal one
As he moved on he saw yet another sight of obvious concern
This was a man who seemed deformed, bent and out of shape
In answer to query the man said - I am afflicted by old age

The anguished royal son moved on hoping for a cheerful state
But to no avail, he came across a home where people wailed
There has been a death, Prince - said the one of the mourners
Shaken to the core, royal son dropped despondent in a corner

Poverty, ill health, old age, and death - all great evils
Are these then the predators that hunt down life gleeful?
Does life always move inexorable towards desolate demise?
Are childish innocence and youthful exuberance false premise?

Pondering thus the noble Prince's visage was quite clouded
Rising from his corner, he staggered towards royal homestead
Seeing his weak state, his royal bride raised a soulful alarm
She feared the worst had befallen him and had caused him harm

Shaking off her loving embrace the Prince retired to ponder
I have to see whether life has a better climax than seen yonder
So saying he called all the wise men of his Father's royal court
Each of them affirmed his findings and didnt have alternate report

This cannot be life's fate - exclaimed the royal successor to throne
I have to find another state that is to sorrow not quite so prone
All his advisers and his family discouraged him from such thought
Such a quest could bring only grief and with disappointment fraught

But the Prince was determined and knew he had to start the search
One night he kissed his wife and son good bye and left his perch
And like a freed bird flew out of his cage and wandered far and wide
He soon gave up his royal robes and became a monk bereft of any pride

Our conditioning makes us accept certain fetters such as these
We take it for granted that we have to live, love, age and decease
Never do we question the state of our wordly existence and end
And thus lose a great chance to make the best of a pure godsend

The very same events that dont make a difference to our lives
Caused a profound impact on the royal prince making him realize
That Truth lies hidden in the shifting stages of life's drama
And sitting resolute under a tree he became Buddha from Gautama