Buddhacarita by Ven Asvaghosa - Ancient Buddhist Texts

Buddha-carita, or Life of Buddha - 109
Book IX [The Deputation to the Prince]
1. Then the two, the counsellor and the family priest, beaten by the
king with his scourge of tears, went with every effort to that forest in
the hurry of affection, like two noble horses goaded.
2. Having come at last full of weariness to that hermitage,
accompanied by a fitting train, – they dismissed their royal pomp and
with sober gestures entered the abode of Bhārgava.
3. Having saluted that Brāhman with due respect, and having been
honoured by him with due reverence in return, having seated
themselves, plunging at once into the subject, they addressed
Bhārgava, who was likewise seated, concerning their errand.
4. ‘Let your honour know us to be respectively imperfect proficients
in preserving the sacred learning and in retaining the state-counsels, –
in the service of the monarch of the Ikṣvāku race, pure in his valour
and pure and wide in his glory.
5. ‘His son, who is like Jayanta, while he himself is like Indra, has
come here, it is said, desirous to escape from the fear of old age and
death, – know that we two are come here on account of him.’
6. He answered them, ‘That prince of the long arms did indeed come
here, but not as one unawakened; "this dharma only brings us back
again," – recognising this, he went off forthwith towards Arāḍa,
seeking liberation.’