Iravati hastened to Kulluka, and told him all that had passed, and Siddha’s extraordinary determination; but the guru, seeing that it was better to let Siddha take his own way and not to oppose him, tried to console Iravati with the hope that she would soon see him again. In the meantime Siddha had taken leave of the Buddhist priest, giving him a rich present for the benefit of the monastery, and then, followed by Vatsa, had ridden away.
Again the last rays of the setting sun fell on the slopes of the Himálayas, and again Siddha, accompanied by Vatsa, followed the path that led to the valley where the habitation of Gurupada was situated. He was received by the old servant, who quickly recognised him, and without delay led him to his master.
The hermit welcomed his young friend with pleasure, but saw with concern the change that had taken place in his appearance. His face, once so full of joy and life, was now pale, and had assumed a sad and dark expression; and his whole bearing had lost its former elasticity. In but a short time the youth had become a man, and not one full of life and strength, but one bowed down under the weight of sorrow, which Gurupada’s sharp sight told him was the heaviest that falls to the lot of man, that of self-reproach.
“Most revered,” said Siddha, after the first greetings; “or let me rather say, most gracious prince——”
“No,” interrupted the hermit; “continue to call me Gurupada, for I am nothing more.”
“I obey,” said Siddha, “and I see with joy that you have not forgotten me. Perhaps you still remember the last words you said to me, when, after a short visit to your hospitable dwelling, we took our leave.”
“I made you promise,” replied Gurupada, “to seek me again if it should ever chance in your life that you should need the counsel of a true friend; and I understand that this is the reason which now brings you here. If I may judge from your looks, the cause of your coming is a very bitter one.”
“You are right,” said Siddha; “and when you have heard all, you will wonder that my appearance does not more clearly proclaim my feelings.”
“Come now,” said Gurupada, “to the other side of the house; there we will seat ourselves, and talk quietly of all that has happened.”
Siddha gladly accepted the invitation, and after having, at the earnest request of the hermit, partaken of some refreshment, he began to recount all that had happened until the moment of his parting with Iravati in the cloister.