Convinced that herein lay the way to quell his mental agitation, Gautama resolved to follow this holy man's example. Having made the decision he requested his father to allow him to proceed in his search for truth. On hearing of Gautama's resolve, his father became extremely anxious and entreated him to revert his decision. Hearing these impossible demands, the king was extremely dejected and became resigned to his fate. Gautama left the luxurious palace of his father in the middle of the night.
Contemplation is produced when the mind, self possessed, is at rest.
And through contemplation that supremely calm, undecaying state is eventually gained which is so difficult to attain. All of which is based upon eating food. Engaged in these thoughts, he was offered a rich bowl of milk, by the lovely and delicate maiden Nandabala the daughter of a leader of herdsman. This refreshing nourishment restored his body. But the five mendicants, scandalized, and considering him to have returned to the material world, departed.