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RENUNCIATION
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FINAL INITIATION Mūla Chandra, whose eyes were now fully opened to the evils of the unprofitable life that he had hitherto led, was deeply impressed by the serenity and majesty of the monk's holy appearance, and learnt from his sermon the true solution of the problem of life and a remedy for the miseries of this world. At the end of the sermon he approached the worthy sage, and manifested to him his desire to be initiated as a monk; for he realized that here at least was one who rose superior to the otherwise universal ills of life. The prudent sage, however, considering the immaturity of the applicant, and the failings which are incident to youth and inexperience, refused to grant his request, and advised him to go back to his parents and obtain their consent. The task was by no means an easy one; for the boy was the darling of his parents, and, what was more, their youngest son. But Mūla Chandra had already taken an aversion to the world; the voice of his real vocation had already spoken to him; and, though some days were still to elapse before his initiation as a monk, yet he had already made his resolution, and every day that passed made him firmer and firmer in it.
He went back to Mahuwā, and requested his parents to give him the required permission. But the parents were greatly disappointed. They begged, they blamed, they remonstrated. They expressed their displeasure, their disapprobation, and urged reasons in opposition. But Mūla Chandra was firm. He had formed within
