Buddha, which probably means "The Perfect
One," or "he who has reached completion."

Nirvana (in Pali, "Nibbana") eternal bliss.

Kapilavatthu, capital of the Sakyas.

Kosala, an Indian state divided into Northern and Southern Kosala.

Savatthi, capital of Northern Kosala.

Jetavana, the pleasure garden of Prince Jeta at Savatthi.

Magadha, a large kingdom in the Ganges Valley.

Rajagaha, capital of Magadha.

Uruvela, a place near Benares.

Arada and U'draka, two philosophers.

Licchavi, a princely house of Vesali.

Nirgrantha (lit. "liberated from bonds"), a name adopted by the
adherents of the Jaina sect.

Indra, in the time of Buddha worshiped by the people as the most
powerful god.

Issara, the Lord, a name of God Indra.

Yama, the god of death.

Kali, a Brahman goddess, called also Durga.

* * * * *

ACT I.

FIRST SCENE.

[A tropical garden in Kapilavatthu, in the background mountains, at a
distance the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas. On the right near the
front a marble bench surrounded with bushes. Further back the palace
entrance of the Raja's residence. Above the entrance a balcony. On the
left a fortified gate with a guard house; all built luxuriously in
antique Indian style.]

_Present_: SUDDHODANA, _the king_ (_S_); PAJAPATI, _the
queen_ (_P_), _and the minister of state_ VISAKHA (_V_).

_S._ My son Siddhattha truly loves his wife,
And since their wedlock has been blessed by this
Sweet, promising, this hale and healthy child,
His melancholy will give way to joy,
And we reclaim his noble energies
To do good service for our race and state.
New int'rests and new duties give new courage
And thus this babe will prove his father's saviour
For he will tie his soul to life again.

_P._ I fear his grief lies deeper than you think.

_S._ What sayest thou, my trusty counselor?

_V._ This is the last hope which I have for him,
I followed your advice and tried all means
To cure Siddhattha of his pensive mood.
I taught him all that will appeal to man:
The sports of youth, the joy of poetry
And art, the grandeur of our ancient lore,
The pleasures e'en of wanton sense; but naught
Would satisfy the yearnings of his heart.

_S._ Yet for religion he shows interest:
He ponders on the problems of the world.

_V._ Indeed he ponders on life's meaning much,
Investigates the origin of things
But irreligious are his ways of thought.
He shows