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"I want to go out. Prepare a horse for me."
Chanda ka took the necessary outfit and proceeded to the stable. In the light of the lamp, he saw an excellent horse named Kantha ka standing on a beautiful ground beneath a well-decorated canopy. Chanda ka considered him to be the best for the purpose in his view. He prepared and disciplined it in the best possible manner. Kantha ka had a very natural thought at this moment that the night's preparation was somewhat unusual. He had a feeling that his master was not going out to the garden to come back after some time; it was his final exit from home on a noble mission. So in a delightful mood, he gave out a loud neigh. This neigh would have been audible all over the city, but the gods prevented it in time from spreading.
When Chanda ka went out to prepare the horse, the Bodhi-sattva turned his steps towards the apartment of his wife to have a look at the son. He opened the door a jar. An oil lamp was burning inside the chamber. Rāhulamātā lay fast asleep on her bed which was covered with sweet flowers as much as one ammana (i.e., 11 drona), with one of her hands placed on the head of the new-born babe. Standing at the door, the Bodhi-sattva saw the mother and the child. He desired to hold his son on his own lap, but soon he desisted thinking,
'If I do this, this may disturb the mother and wa ke her up. If that happens, that may foil my own plan. So it is better that when I am enlightened, I shall come back and see my son.'
According to the Jataka Kathā written in old Ceylonese language, when the prince ieft his home, Rahula was seven days old.
.: The Bodhi-sattur came down from his palace. He came near Kantha ka and said,
"Kantha ka! My child! You help me to cross through during this one night. With this co-operation from your side, when I shall be enlightened, I shall help the entire universe, including the gods, to cross through."