Rahula was the Buddha’s only child (A.I,24). He may have been given this name because he was born during or around the time of a lunar eclipse (ràhu). It was just after his birth that the Buddha finally decided to renounce the world, become a monk and embark on his quest for truth. About seven or perhaps eight years later the Buddha returned to Kapilavatthu, met Ràhula for the first time, had him ordained as a novice monk and took him away with him.