[232] "If the good Govinda will go forth from home into homelessness, we too shall go forth from home into homelessness; and whatever your destiny shall be, that destiny shall be ours as well."
Then, sirs, the brahmin Mahāgovinda approached those six khattiyas, and having approached, he said to those six khattiyas: "Let the good sirs now seek another high priest (purohita), one who will administer the government in your realm for you. I wish, sirs, to go forth from home into homelessness. For as I have heard from Brahmā as he spoke of the stenches of putrefaction (āmagandha), they are not easily quelled by one dwelling in a house. I shall go forth, sirs, from home into homelessness."
Then, sirs, those six khattiyas, having withdrawn to one side, deliberated together thus: "These brahmins, sirs, are greedy for wealth. Suppose we were to win over the brahmin Mahāgovinda with wealth." They approached the brahmin Mahāgovinda and said this: "There is, sir, abundant wealth in these seven realms; let as much be brought from there as you have need of."
"Enough, sirs. This wealth of mine is already abundant, thanks to you gentlemen. Abandoning it all, I shall go forth from home into homelessness. For as I have heard from Brahmā as he spoke of the stenches of putrefaction, they are not easily quelled by one dwelling in a house. I shall go forth, sirs, from home into homelessness."
Then, sirs, those six khattiyas, having withdrawn to one side, deliberated together thus: "These brahmins, sirs, are greedy for women. Suppose we were to win over the brahmin Mahāgovinda with women." They approached the brahmin Mahāgovinda and said this: "There are, sir, many women in these seven realms; let as many be brought from there as you have need of."
"Enough, sirs. I have these forty wives, all of equal rank. Abandoning them all, I shall go forth from home into homelessness. For as I have heard from Brahmā as he spoke of the stenches of putrefaction, they are not easily quelled by one dwelling in a house. I shall go forth, sirs, from home into homelessness."
"If the good Govinda will go forth from home into homelessness, we too shall go forth from home into homelessness; and whatever your destiny shall be, that destiny shall be ours as well."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.