Hagiographical and mythological interpretations of the prophecy and early life of the Buddha

The prophecy and early life
Seven holy men predicted that the Buddha would be a strong ruler, like his father, but another, Asita, recognised the 32 signs of the Buddha, predicting he would aspire to full and complete enlightenment
In later stories outside the Tripitaka, it is understood that Asita said that Guatama would become either a cakravartin (ruler) or a Buddha

To avoid this happening, the king ensured the prince lived a life of luxury that avoided any unpleasantness - in particular, old age, sickness, death or a wandering ascetic

Interpreting the hagiographical and mythological elements of the prophecy and early life
The story is typically dramatic with the initial clue to the outcome being in the opening section, almost like a …