To avoid the prophecy of the sages from coming true, King Shuddhodhana had tried to keep his son, Prince Siddhartha in captivity and gave him all the worldly pleasures and happiness within the four walls of the palaces. But despite all the pleasures, Prince Siddhartha was not happy. One day, he requested his father to allow him to go outside and explore.

The King ordered all the people to decorate their homes and welcome the Prince with happiness.

As the Prince was travelling, he came across an old hut and saw an old beggar who was very weak and wearing torn and dirty clothes. The old man could barely walk and he had no teeth in his mouth and was partially blind. While he was walking slowly with the help of a stick, it was evident that he did not have any strength in him. The old man was so hungry that he had no option but to beg to the people for a small morsel of food. 

The Prince was confused at this sight as he had never seen an old person and had never seen anyone in tattered clothes. He asked his charioteer and loyal servant, Channa to explain and that is when he understood that the cycle of life makes all young people become old someday. Old age cannot be stopped or altered if one lives on. 

The Prince realized that old age was a common phenomenon, where the body becomes weak and frail and this thought made him very sad. He went back to the palace with a heavy heart and confused thoughts in his mind.