Prince Siddhartha Leaves the Palace, from 2nd-3rd century Pakistan.
Source: Wikimedia Commons.
Gopa and Suddhodana Grieve
This story is interesting to me because Siddhartha's family grieves bitterly for his departure even as they admire him and believe that he is leaving to fulfill his duty of conquering death and old age. Gopa weeps and mourns and says that she knew he had to leave, but didn't know that it would be so soon. So, she understands intellectually that his departure is necessary, but emotionally she cannot handle him leaving. I think this is a typical reaction to many different situations in life; breaking up a bad relationship, moving away from home to go to college, etc. We understand that certain actions are good for us or necessary in the long run, but it is so difficult to let go.
I found it interesting that Gopa reacts to Siddhartha's leaving by vowing to give up all pleasures. She doesn't seem to do this out of virtue, but out of being unable to enjoy anything after her husband has left. This is a very similar reaction to Siddhartha's upon learning of death, disease, and old age. He gives up pleasure because he knows that it cannot make him happy when he is so disturbed by the existence of death. Similarly, Gopa cannot find happiness in anything while her husband is gone. I don't know whether this was the typical reaction of people in that culture, but it is a very different reaction than Americans have to tragedy now, in my opinion. Most people I know, including myself, respond to hardship by overindulging, not by giving up pleasure. This is an interesting difference possibly due to culture.
Mahaprajapati throws Siddhartha's jewels in the river, which I found sad. This further emphasizes the point that the family wants to shun pleasure and riches in the face of tragedy.
Bibliography: The Life of Buddha by Andre Ferdinand Herold. Link to the reading online.
I am glad that you put so much thought and attention to Gopa, as I too was intrigued by the introduction to this character. When we talk about Buddha in modern times, we normally don't associate a wife with him. But in these stories, the author puts heavy emphasis on her and how she impacted Buddha in the early days. Very interesting!
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