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Just then, Rupak returned from the village, and hearing Bhima’s words, “Go with the Buddha,” he understood that the time had come.
He looked at Svasti and said, “Yes, brother, please go with the Buddha,” and the whole family fell silent. Rupak looked at the Buddha and
said, “Venerable Sir, I hope you will permit my brother to study with you. I am old enough to care for our family.” Rupak turned to Svasti
and, holding back his tears, said, “But brother, please ask the Buddha if you can come back and visit us from time to time.”
The Buddha stood up and gently stroked Bhima’s hair. “Children, please eat now. Tomorrow morning, I will return for Svasti so we can
walk together to Rajagaha. The bhikkhus and I will rest beneath the bodhi tree tonight.”
As the Buddha reached the gate, he looked back at Svasti and said, “Tomorrow morning, you do not need to bring anything. The
clothes you are wearing are enough.”
That night the four siblings stayed up late. Like a departing father, Svasti gave them his last advice on taking care of each other and the
household. He embraced each of them for a long time. Unable to hold back her tears, little Bhima sobbed while her oldest brother held her.
But then she looked up, breathed deeply, and smiled at him. She didn’t want Svasti to feel sad. The oil lamp cast a dim light, but it was
enough for Svasti to see her smile, and he appreciated it.
Early the next morning, Sujata, Svasti’s friend, came to say goodbye. The evening before, she had seen the Buddha when she was on
her way to the riverbank, and he told her that Svasti would be joining the order of monks. Sujata, the daughter of the village head, was two
years older than Svasti, and she, too, had met Gautama before he became the Buddha. Sujata gave Svasti a small jar of herbal medicines to
take with him. They spoke only briefly, and then the Buddha and his disciples arrived.
Svasti’s brother and sisters were already awake to see their brother off. Rahula spoke gently to each of them, encouraging them to be
strong and to take care of each other. He promised that whenever he was nearby, he would stop in Uruvela to visit them. Svasti’s family
and Sujata walked with the Buddha and the bhikkhus to the riverbank, and there they joined their palms to say goodbye to the Buddha, the
monks, Rahula, and Svasti.