About 2500 years ago, on the Nepalese border of northern India,
there lived a benevolent King of the Shakyan clan by the name of
Shuddhodana Gautama. He ruled over the Shakyans from his palace in
Kapilavastu.
Queen Maya's Dream
The king had a beautiful queen called Maya who was loved by the
people. One night, Queen Maya had a strange dream in which she saw
a white elephant entering her womb through the right side of her
body. It was an auspicious sign to her for the white elephant was
the symbol of greatness. Then, she knew that she had conceived a
child who would be unique. During her pregnancy, she was happy and
healthy and led a pure life befitting one who was to bear such a
baby.
Birth of the Prince
The king and his subjects eagerly looked forward to the birth of
the royal child. It was an ancient Indian custom for a woman to
return to her parent's home for the birth of her child. So when the
time came, Queen Maya obtained the king's consent to leave the
palace for her parent's home. A royal party accompanied the Queen's
sedan-chair on the long journey. On the way, she stopped at a
garden called Lumbini Park, where big, shady trees grew. It was
spring and all the flowers were blooming in the park. With her
maids around her, She strolled in the grounds, enjoying the beauty
of nature. While resting under the shade of a Sala tree, she gave
birth to a boy. Everyone around her was delighted at the
event.
After the birth of the prince, which took place on the day of the
full moon in the fifth month of the year, the royal party returned
to the palace. King Shuddhodana was filled with joy and there was
rejoicing in the palace and throughout the country.
Asitas Prediction
There was then an old sage called Asita who had retired to the
mountains not far from the palace. The sage Asita noticed radiance
about the palace and realized that a prince had been born.
Immediately, he went to the palace to look at the royal baby.
On reaching the palace, he was greeted by the king who said, Your
reverence, what is the reason for your coming?
In great eagerness, Asita replied, Where is the prince? I wish to
see him.
The proud and happy king quickly brought the baby and showed him to
Asita. When he looked at the baby, Asita was delighted. At first he
smiled, overwhelmed with joy. Then he began to shed tears of
sorrow. Seeing such a sudden change of feelings in the sage, the
king was puzzled and anxiously questioned him. He was afraid that
the old sage could foresee trouble for the prince.
Will some misfortune befall the child? asked the king.
Asita answered, Among men, he is unique. I foresee no harm for the
boy. He will achieve the highest knowledge. He will become a
Buddha, a sage of unequalled purity. Through compassion for the
many, he will spread his Teaching. Little of my lifespan now
remains and I shall die soon. I shall not hear his good Teaching.
This is what saddens me.
After making this prediction, Asita paid homage to the royal baby
and left the palace.
The Naming Ceremony
On the fifth day after the birth of the prince, many priests were
invited to the palace for the naming ceremony. Among them, were
eight who carefully observed the features of the child in order to
predict his future. After studying him, seven of them raised two
fingers each, indicating that the prince would either become the
king of kings if he succeeded to his father's throne, or become a
Buddha if he chose to renounce the kingdom. However, the youngest
among the eight was more certain. He put up only one finger to
predict that the prince would definitely become a Buddha. After the
predication, the prince was given the name Siddhartha which means
"wish fulfilled".
The Passing Away of Queen Maya
The happiness over the birth of Prince Siddhartha was however,
quickly followed by sorrow because seven days after his birth,
Queen Maya passed away. the queen's sister, Prajapate, took over
the responsibility of being a mother to the prince, and brought him
up with loving care.
