Buddhacarita by Ven Asvaghosa - Ancient Buddhist Texts

Buddha-carita, or Life of Buddha - 70
68. Having awakened his horse’s attendant, the swift Chaṁdaka, he
thus addressed him: ‘Bring me quickly my horse Kaṁthaka, I wish today
to go hence to attain immortality.
69. ‘Since such is the firm content which to-day is produced in my
heart, and since my determination is settled in calm resolve, and since
even in loneliness I seem to possess a guide, – verily the end which I
desire is now before me.
70. ‘Since abandoning all shame and modesty these women lay before
me as they did, and the two doors opened of their own accord, verily
the time is come to depart for my true health.’
71. Then, accepting his lord’s command, though he knew the purport
of the king’s injunctions, as being urged by a higher power in his
mind, he set himself to bring the horse.
72. Then he brought out for his master that noble steed, his mouth
furnished with a golden bit, his back lightly touched by the bed on
which he had been lying, and endued with strength, vigour, speed, and
swiftness;
73. With a long chine, and root of the tail and heel, – gentle, with
short hair, back, and ears, – with his back, belly, and sides depressed
and elevated, with broad nostrils, forehead, hips, and breast.
74. The broad-chested hero, having embraced him, and caressing him
with his lotus-like hand, ordered him with a gentle-toned voice, as if