Eventually, however, fate would give way to Siddhartha's true path. .
The prince soon grew restless within the confines of his palace and its bounds of earthly pleasure so, he enlisted the assistance of his trusted charioteer Channa who ushered him out of the gates into the unaltered realm of the kingdom. It is on this excursion beyond the palace walls that Siddhartha saw the four sights that thrust him upon his aforementioned journey to enlightenment. First, Siddhartha was troubled by the sight of a decrepit, old man. Channa revealed to the prince that aging was a part of life and all must endure it. Siddhartha then laid eyes upon a diseased man, covered in boils which he found out through his charioteer is yet another facet of existence. The third sight that the prince beheld was a corpse surrounded by weeping mourners. These sights combined shocked and disturbed him until he saw a wandering monk, which would be the fourth sight that would propel him towards his destiny.
Siddhartha Gautama, inspired by the image of the seemingly content monk, decided to pursue a renunciant existence- this entailed leaving all of his riches and family behind. It was indeed a difficult decision for Siddhartha to make, but he thought it crucial to pursuing the truth. This event is referred in the Buddhist tradition as 'going forth.' He set out as a wanderer; shedding all worldly responsibilities, limiting his food and sleep,and abandoning all pleasantries such as bathing and garb. It was through these acts of "austerity and denial of physical nourishment" that he was supposed to "realise [his] spiritual aspirations." He stayed on this highly regimented path for six years while tales of his discipline spread and brought him followers. Siddhartha was worn and weary from the fasting that he endured. After losing consciousness, he realized that this abstinent way of life was not bringing him the truth that he sought.
