[340] Now at that time Bhaddiya the Sakyan king (Bhaddiya Sakyarājā) ruled the kingdom of the Sakyans, and he was a friend of Anuruddha the Sakyan. Then the mother of Anuruddha the Sakyan thought: "This Bhaddiya the Sakyan king rules the kingdom of the Sakyans, and he is a friend of Anuruddha the Sakyan; he will not venture to go forth from the household life into homelessness." So she said this to Anuruddha the Sakyan: "If, dear Anuruddha, Bhaddiya the Sakyan king goes forth from the household life into homelessness, then you too may go forth."
Then Anuruddha the Sakyan approached Bhaddiya the Sakyan king, and having approached, said this to Bhaddiya the Sakyan king: "Friend, my going forth is bound up with you."
"Friend, whether your going forth is bound up with me or not bound up with me, so let it be. I am with you — go forth as you please."
"Come, friend, let us both go forth from the household life into homelessness."
"Friend, I am not able to go forth from the household life into homelessness. Whatever else can be done for you by me, that I will do for you. You go forth yourself."
"Friend, my mother said this to me: 'If, dear Anuruddha, Bhaddiya the Sakyan king goes forth from the household life into homelessness, then you too may go forth.' And, friend, these words were spoken by you: 'Friend, whether your going forth is bound up with me or not bound up with me, so let it be. I am with you — go forth as you please.' Come, friend, let us both go forth from the household life into homelessness."
Now at that time people were speakers of truth, keepers of their word. Then Bhaddiya the Sakyan king said this to Anuruddha the Sakyan: "Wait, friend, for seven years. At the end of seven years we will both go forth from the household life into homelessness."
"Seven years is too long, friend. I am not able to wait seven years."
"Wait, friend, for six years … five years, four years, three years, two years, one year. At the end of one year we will both go forth from the household life into homelessness."
"One year is too long, friend. I am not able to wait one year."
"Wait, friend, for seven months. At the end of seven months we will both go forth from the household life into homelessness."
"Seven months is too long, friend. I am not able to wait seven months."
"Wait, friend, for six months … five months, four months, three months, two months, one month, half a month. At the end of half a month we will both go forth from the household life into homelessness."
"Half a month is too long, friend. I am not able to wait half a month."
"Wait, friend, for seven days, until I have handed over the kingdom to my sons and brothers."
"Seven days is not long, friend. I will wait."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.