The Buddha-Carita or The Life of Buddha by Ven. Aśvaghoṣa

Buddha-carita, or The Life of Buddha - 82
brūyāścāsmāsvanākṣepa jana kapilavastuni |
tyajyatā tadgataḥ snehaḥ śrūyatā cāsya niścayaḥ || 6.51
51. ‘Say, without reproaching us, to the people in Kapilavastu, “Let your love for him
be given up, and hear his resolve.
kṣiprameṣyati vā ktvā jarāmtyukṣaya kila |
aktārtho nirālabo nidhana yāsyatīti vā || 6.52
52. “Either he will quickly come back, having destroyed old age and death; or else he
will himself perish, having failed in his purpose and lost hold of every support."’
iti tasya vacaḥ śrutvā kathakasturagottamaḥ |
jihvayā lilihe pādau vāṣpamuṣṇa mumoca ca || 6.53
53. Having heard his words, Kathaka, the noblest of steeds, licked his feet with his
tongue and dropped hot tears.
jālinā svastikākena vakramadhyena pāṇinā |
āmamarśa kumārasta babhāṣe ca vayasyavat || 6.54
54. With his hand whose fingers were united with a membrane and which was marked
with the auspicious svastika, and with its middle part curved, 1 the prince stroked him
and addressed him like a friend:
muca kathaka mā vāṣpa darśiteya sadaśvatā |
mṣyatā saphalaḥ śīghra śramaste ’ya bhaviṣyati || 6.55
55. ‘Shed not tears, Kathaka, this thy perfect equine nature has been proved, — bear
with it, this thy labour will soon have its fruit.’
maṇitsaru chadakahastasastha tataḥ sa dhīro niśita ghītvā |
kośādasi kācanabhakticitra vilādivāśīviṣamudbabarha || 6.56
56. Then seizing the sharp jewelled sword which was in Chadaka’s hand, he
resolutely drew out from the sheath the blade decked with golden ornaments, like a
serpent from its hole.
niṣkāsya ta cotpalapattranīla ciccheda citra mukuṭa sakeśam |
vikīryamāṇāśukamatarīkṣe cikṣepa caina sarasīva hasam || 6.57
57. Having drawn it forth, dark blue like a blue lotus petal, he cut his decorated tiara
and his hair, and he tossed it with its scattered muslin into the air as a grey goose into
a lake.
1 Professor Keilhorn suggests cakra-madhyena, ‘with a wheel in its centre’, cf. VIII, 55.