The Buddha's Struggle for Enlightenment

Meeting with disappointment but not discouraged, the ascetic Gotama, seeking for the incomparable state of Peace Supreme, wandered in the district of Magadha and arrived in due course at Uruvela, the market town of Senani. There he spied a lovely spot of ground, a charming forest grove, a flowing river with pleasant sandy fords, and near by was village where he could beg for his food. The place was congenial for his meditation. The atmosphere was peaceful, the surroundings were pleasant, the scenery charming. He resolved to settle down there alone to achieve his desired object.

Hearing of his renunciation Kondanna, the youngest Brahmin who predicted his future, and four sons of the other sages - Bhaddiya, Vappa, Mahanama, and Assaji - also renounced the world, and joined his company. In ancient India great importance was attached to rites, ceremonies, penances, and sacrifices. It was then popular belief that no salvation could be gained unless one led a life of strict asceticsm. Accordingly for six long years he made a superhuman struggle practising all forms of severe austerity, with the result that his delicate body was reduced almost to a skeleton. The more he tormented his body, the farther his goal was from him.