What would you do if your entire community expected you to go to war, but your heart told you that peace was the answer? This was the dilemma faced by Siddharth Gautam, the man who would later become the Buddha. While many believe he left his home after witnessing suffering, the truth is deeper—so the question may arise that why siddharth gautam left his home?
Who Were the Shakyas? Siddharth Gautam’s Background
Unlike traditional monarchies, the Shakyas followed a unique system of governance—a republic where power was shared among elders rather than resting with a single king. Despite this democratic structure, the warrior class (Kshatriyas) was expected to uphold their duty in war. Siddharth Gautam, as a noble, was trained in martial arts and leadership from a young age. His refusal to fight was not just personal—it was seen as a betrayal of his clan’s values.
The Shakyas were not ruled by a king in the traditional sense. They lived under a Ganarajya (republic), where decisions were made collectively by a council of elders. Suddhodana, Siddharth Gautam’s father, was not a king but the elected chief of the Shakyas.
Siddharth Gautam, as a prince, was expected to take leadership responsibilities and follow the traditions of the Kshatriya class. However, an important event changed the course of his life.
The Water War: The Real Reason why siddharth gautam left his home?
The Shakyas and the Koliyas were two closely related clans, living near the Rohini River, their primary water source. Over time, disputes over water-sharing had led to tension between the two groups.
When Siddharth was around 28 years old, the conflict resurfaced. The workers from both sides got into a fight over irrigation rights, and soon, it escalated to the Shakya and Koliya councils. The Shakya elders decided that war was the only solution.
Siddharth Gautam’s Bold Stand Against War
At a crucial meeting, the Shakya leaders discussed the upcoming war, convinced that they had to fight to defend their honor. But at that moment, Siddharth Gautam strongly opposed the decision. He urged them to reconsider, warning them about the endless cycle of violence.
He argued:
“War will not solve anything. It will only lead to more suffering.”
“If we kill today, one day we will be killed too. If we defeat them now, someone else will defeat us in the future.”
“This war will not bring victory; it will only bring destruction and pain for everyone.”
But his words fell on deaf ears. The Shakya leaders dismissed his plea for peace and continued preparations for battle.
A Tough Decision: Three Choices Before Siddharth Gautam
The Shakya council called for war, believing that fighting was necessary to protect their honor. As a Kshatriya (warrior class), Siddhartha was expected to lead the battle, but he firmly refused. He believed that war would only bring more suffering and destruction.
According to the customs of that time, a Kshatriya (warrior) who refused to fight had to accept one of three severe consequences:
- Accept exile – Leave the republic and never return.
- Face punishment – Be stripped of honor and possibly executed.
- Let his family suffer – If he was declared a traitor, his family would lose its status and respect.
Siddharth Gautam was left with no real choice. He could neither betray his values nor let his family suffer for his decision. The only option left was to leave his home.
When Siddharth finally made his decision, he knew it would break his family’s heart. His father, Suddhodana, had high hopes that his son would succeed him as the leader of the Shakyas. His wife, Yashodhara, and his newborn son, Rahula, would wake up to find him gone. He left behind not only a luxurious palace but also the people who loved him. This was not an easy escape—it was a sacrifice that would change the world.
The Final Goodbye
Before departing, Siddharth Gautam made one final request to the Shakya elders:
Do not punish my family for my actions. I alone am responsible for my decision.
With that, he left the Shakya republic—not just in search of truth, but because he stood for peace in a world that only believed in war.
When the Shakyas learned that Siddharth had left, the news spread like wildfire. Some called him a coward for abandoning his duty; others saw him as a man who had lost his mind. His father was devastated, and his wife, Yashodhara, lived in sorrow. But as years passed, they would come to understand that his departure was not an escape—it was a mission to seek answers that would later enlighten the world.
A Departure That Changed the World
Siddharth Gautam’s decision to leave was not an act of abandonment—it was an act of resistance. He stood against violence in a world where war was seen as the only solution. His exile was not a defeat but the beginning of a new journey.
This journey led him to discover the path of Dhamma, which would later transform into the teachings of Buddhism.
