The clamour of being an idle man stuck to him. He was also regarded as a
foolish person, by every person of a light understanding and destitute of
foresight. On a certain occasion, witnessing an act of great fault in his
wife, the sire Gautama passing over his other children, commanded in
wrath this Chirakarin, saying, 'Slay thou this woman.' Having said these
words without much reflection, the learned Gautama, that foremost of
persons engaged in the practice of Yoga, that highly blessed ascetic,
departed for the woods. Having after a long while assented to it, saying,
'So be it,' Chirakarin, in consequence of his very nature, and owing to
his habit of never accomplishing any act without long reflection, began
to think for a long while (upon the propriety or otherwise of what he was
commanded by his sire to do). How shall I obey the command of my sire and
yet how avoid slaying my mother? How shall I avoid sinking, like a wicked
person, into sin in this situation in which contradictory obligations are
dragging me into opposite directions? Obedience to the commands of the
sire constitutes the highest merit. The protection of the mother again is
a clear duty. The status of a son is fraught with dependence. How shall I
avoid being afflicted by sin? Who is there that can be happy after having
slain a woman, especially his mother? Who again can obtain prosperity and
fame by disregarding his own sire? Regard for the sire's behest is
obligatory. The protection of my mother is equally a duty.
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