nment and Nibbna. His quest for the supreme security from bondage, Nibbna (Nirvna), had begun. This was the great renunciation, the greatest adventure known to humanity.First he sought guidance from two famous sages, from Alra Klma and Uddaka Rmaputta, hoping that they, being masters of meditation, would teach him all they knew, leading him to the heights of concentrative thought. He practised concentration and reached the highest meditative attainments possible thereby, but was not satisfied with anything short of Supreme Enlightenment. These teachers range of knowledge, their ambit of mystical experience, however, was insufficient to grant him what he so earnestly sought, and he saw himself still far from his goal. Though both sages, in turn, asked him to stay and succeed them as the teacher of their following, the ascetic Gotama declined. Paying obeisance to them, he left them in search of the still unknown.In his wanderings he finally reached Uruvel, by the river Nerajar at Gay. He was attracted by its quiet and dense groves, and the clear waters of the river were soothing to his senses and stimulating to his mind. Nearby was a village of simple folk where he could get his alms. Finding that this was a suitable place to continue his quest for enlightenment, he decided to stay. Soon five other ascetics who admired his determined effort joined him. They were Kondaa, Bhaddiya, Vappa, Mahnma, and Assaji....
