[231] "I announce to King Reṇu,
the lord of the land:
may you attend to the kingship yourself,
for I take no delight in the office of high priest (porohacca)."
"If you are lacking in any pleasures,
I shall make them full for you;
whoever harms you, I shall restrain him—
I am lord of the land and its armies.
You are the father and I the son—
O Govinda, do not forsake us!"
"There is nothing I lack in pleasures,
nor is there anyone found who harms me;
having heard the word of a non-human,
therefore I take no delight in the household."
"Of what appearance was that non-human?
What matter did he declare to you,
hearing which you would abandon
our house, and all of us entirely?"
"When formerly I had entered upon my retreat,
being intent upon sacrifice,
the fire was kindled,
strewn about with kusa-grass leaves.
Then Brahmā appeared to me,
the Eternal One (sanantana), from the Brahmā world;
he answered my question,
and having heard it, I take no delight in the household."
"I have faith, good sir, O Govinda,
in that which you say.
Having heard the word of a non-human,
how could you act otherwise?
We shall follow after you—
the worthy Govinda shall be our Teacher.
Just as a gem of beryl,
flawless, stainless, and beautiful—
even so, having heard, we shall live
in the instruction of Govinda."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.