Siddhartha's Eyes Are Opened
One day, Prince Siddhartha expressed his desire to leave his lush
surroundings and ride out among his people. He was profoundly shaken
by the misery, the destitution, the disease, and the excruciating 
pain with which his people were constantly afflicted. Retiring to 
his room to ponder over what he had seen, Siddhartha remained there
for several days, deaf to the supplication of those who pleaded with
him to come forth. It seemed that his life had been redolent with
decadence. He was determined to make amends.


on tenter hooks--the indicted clerk was kept on tenter hooks by the
district attorney.
(in a state of anxiety.)