#(Buddha) 24 Yashodhara's Grief Poem by Rajaram Ramachandran

All the members met Buddha,
Except Princes Yashodhara,
Who said, “Here he’ll come,
If I’m of any value to him.”

A chaste woman she was.
She lived inside the palace,
Not as a luxurious princess,
But like renounced ascetics.

Buddha took pity on her.
For his sake, she had to suffer,
With a son, to be looked after,
At the prime young age of her.

As he was a renounced monk,
With him, two disciples, he took,
And met her in her room
Where she lived in utter gloom.

When he went there to meet,
She held him by the feet,
Bitterly cried and wept,
As she couldn’t control it.

Buddha allowed her tears
To flow till her sorrows
Got ventilated, being a woman,
Who had to suffer alone.

Regaining her composure,
She wiped out her tears.
He appreciated her sacrifice,
And praised her patience.

He showered her compassion,
Saying she was a great woman,
Who allowed her husband
To serve all the mankind.

Yashodhara felt good,
And she also felt proud
Of her noble husband,
Who was serving the mankind.

By then, Rahula came
Buddha caressed him.
For his inheritance, he told
“I’ve no silver or gold.”

“I’ve nothing to give him,
Nor do I have a kingdom.
I’ve only spiritual treasures,
Which I share with others.”

Raghula expressed his desire
To join Sangha, as an heir.
Later on, he joined as one
Of top disciples of this institution.