39. Q. Was he so kind-hearted that the King feared he might really wish to leave everything for the world's sake?
A. Yes; he seems to have felt for all beings so strong a pity and love as that.
40. Q. And how did he expect to learn the cause of sorrow in the jungle?
A. By removing far away from all that could prevent his thinking deeply of the causes of sorrow and the nature of man.
41. Q. How did he escape from the palace?
A. One night, when all were asleep, he arose, took a last look at his sleeping wife and infant son; called Channa, mounted his favourite white horse Kanthaka, and rode to the palace gate. The Devas had thrown a deep sleep upon the King's guard who watched the gate, so that they could not hear the noise of the horse's hoofs.
42. Q. But the gate was locked, was it not?
A. Yes; but the Devas caused it to open without the slightest noise, and he rode away into the darkness.
43. Q. Whither did he go?
A. To the river Anomā, a long way from Kapilavāstu.