[135] Bhikkhus, possessing five factors, the eldest son of a head-anointed khattiya king aspires to kingship. Which five? Here, bhikkhus, the eldest son of a head-anointed khattiya king is well born on both sides, of pure maternal and paternal descent, of unimpeachable lineage back through seven generations of forefathers, unassailable and irreproachable with respect to birth; he is handsome, comely, and graceful, possessing supreme beauty of complexion; he is dear and agreeable to his mother and father; he is dear and agreeable to the people of the towns and countryside; and in whatever arts belong to head-anointed khattiya kings—whether in elephantry, horsemanship, chariotry, or archery—he is trained and proficient therein.
It occurs to him thus: "I am well born on both sides, of pure maternal and paternal descent, of unimpeachable lineage back through seven generations of forefathers, unassailable and irreproachable with respect to birth—why should I not aspire to kingship? I am handsome, comely, and graceful, possessing supreme beauty of complexion—why should I not aspire to kingship? I am dear and agreeable to my mother and father—why should I not aspire to kingship? I am dear and agreeable to the people of the towns and countryside—why should I not aspire to kingship? In whatever arts belong to head-anointed khattiya kings—whether in elephantry, horsemanship, chariotry, or archery—I am trained and proficient therein—why should I not aspire to kingship?" Possessing these five factors, bhikkhus, the eldest son of a head-anointed khattiya king aspires to kingship.
Even so, bhikkhus, possessing five qualities, a bhikkhu aspires to the destruction of the taints (āsava). Which five? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu has faith; he places faith in the awakening of the Tathāgata thus: "That Blessed One is … the Buddha, the Blessed One." He is of few afflictions and few ailments, possessing an even digestion, neither too cold nor too hot, but medium, able to endure striving. He is not fraudulent or deceitful, one who reveals himself as he really is (yathābhūta) to the Teacher or to his wise companions in the holy life. He dwells with energy aroused for the abandoning of unwholesome dhammas and for the attainment of wholesome dhammas; he is strong, firm in exertion, not laying down the burden with regard to wholesome dhammas. He is wise, possessing the wisdom that discerns arising and passing away, which is noble, penetrative, and leads to the complete destruction of suffering (dukkha).
It occurs to him thus: "I have faith; I place faith in the awakening of the Tathāgata thus: 'That Blessed One is … the Buddha, the Blessed One'—why should I not aspire to the destruction of the taints? I am of few afflictions and few ailments, possessing an even digestion, neither too cold nor too hot, but medium, able to endure striving—why should I not aspire to the destruction of the taints? I am not fraudulent or deceitful, one who reveals himself as he really is to the Teacher or to his wise companions in the holy life—why should I not aspire to the destruction of the taints? I dwell with energy aroused for the abandoning of unwholesome dhammas … not laying down the burden with regard to wholesome dhammas—why should I not aspire to the destruction of the taints? I am wise … leading to the complete destruction of suffering—why should I not aspire to the destruction of the taints?" Possessing these five qualities, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu aspires to the destruction of the taints.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.