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Since the day he first saw her, Siddhartha had felt a special affinity for Yasodhara. Now he found himself drawn to every word she
spoke. His father had expressed a desire that he marry soon. Perhaps Yasodhara was the right woman. During the musical and athletic
gatherings, Siddhartha had met many charming young women, but Yasodhara was not only the most beautiful, she was the one with whom
he felt ease and contentment.
One day, Queen Gotami decided to organize a reception for all the young women of the capital. She asked Pamita, Yasodhara’s
mother, to help with the preparations. The young women of Kapilavatthu were invited, and each was to be presented with fine jewelry.
Queen Pamita suggested that Siddhartha himself present each gift, much in the same spirit that Yasodhara had welcomed the guests that
attended the martial arts contest. King Suddhodana and the members of the royal family would be present.
The party took place on a delightfully cool evening. Food and drinks were set out throughout the palace halls, while musicians
entertained the guests. Beneath the bright, flickering lights of flowered lanterns, graceful young women arrived, wearing colorful saris
shimmering with gold thread. One by one they passed before the royal dignitaries, including the king and queen. Siddhartha, dressed in
princely garb, stood to the left behind a table covered with pearl necklaces and gold and precious gems to present to nearly a thousand
young ladies.
At first Siddhartha had refused to present the gifts personally, but Gotami and Pamita had beseeched him. “It would be a great honor
and happiness for any person to receive a gift directly from you. You should understand that,” said Pamita with a convincing smile.
Siddhartha did not want to refuse to provide happiness to others, and so he complied. But now, standing before the thousands of guests,
Siddhartha did not know how he could possibly choose a fitting gift for each lady. Every young woman passed in full view of all the guests
before approaching Siddhartha. The first young woman to be presented was Soma, daughter of a prince. As instructed by Pamita, she
mounted the stairs of the royal dais, stopped to bow to the king and queen and all the distinguished guests, and then walked slowly towards
Siddhartha. When she reached him, she bowed her head, and Siddhartha bowed in return. Then he offered her a strand of jade beads. The