In the town of Sauryapura there was a powerful king, Vasudeva by name, who possessed the characteristic marks of a king. (1)

He had two wives, Rohini and Devaki; each of them had a beloved son, Rama and Kesava. (2)

In the town of Sauryapura there was another powerful king, Samudravijaya by name, who possessed the characteristic marks of a king. (3)

His wife was Siva by name; and her famous son was the venerable Arishtanemi, the guide of the world and the foremost of ascetics. (4)

This Arishtanemi, who was gifted with an excellent voice and possessed the thousand and eight lucky marks of the body, was a Gautama, and his skin was black. (5)

His body was strong like that of a bull, and hard like steel; he was well proportioned, and had a belly like that of a fish.

Kesava asked the girl Rajimati in marriage for him. (6)

Now this daughter of an excellent king was virtuous and well looking; she possessed all lucky marks of the body, and shone forth like the lightning. (7)

Her father said to the powerful Vasudeva: 'Let the prince come here that I may give him my daughter.' (8)

He had taken a bath containing all lucky herbs, and had performed the customary ceremonies; he wore a suit of splendid clothes and was decked out with ornaments. (9)

Riding on the best mast elephant of Vasudeva he looked beautiful, like a jewel worn on the head. (10)

He sat under a raised umbrella, fanned by two chowries, and he was surrounded on all sides by a host of Dasarhas and by a complete army drawn up in rank and file, while the sound of musical instruments reached the sky. (11, 12)

With such pomp and splendour the hero of the Vrishnis started from his own palace. (13)

On his way he saw animals, kept in cages and enclosures, overcome by fear and looking miserable. (14)

Seeing them on the point of being killed for the sake of their flesh, and to be eaten afterwards, the great sage spoke to his charioteer thus: (15)

'Why are all these animals, which desire to be happy, kept in cages and enclosures?' (16)

Then the charioteer answered: 'Lucky are these animals because at thy wedding they will furnish food for many people.' (17)

Having heard these words, which announced the slaughter of many animals, the great sage, full of compassion and kindness to living beings, meditated thus: (18)

'If for my sake many living beings are killed, I shall not obtain happiness in the next world.' (19)

Then the famous man presented the charioteer with his pair of earrings, his neck-chain, and all his ornaments. (20)

When he had formed his resolution, the angels descended from heaven, according to the established custom, to celebrate, with great pomp together with their retinue, the event of his renunciation. (21)

Surrounded by angels and men, and sitting on an excellent palanquin, the Venerable One left Dvaraka and ascended mount Raivataka. (22)

On arriving at the park he descended from his excellent palanquin, surrounded by a crowd of thousands, and then his renunciation took place, while the moon was in conjunction with Chitra. (23)

Then he himself plucked out his delightfully perfumed, soft, and curled hair in five handfuls. (24)

And Vasudeva said to that subduer of the senses, who had plucked out his hair: 'O foremost of ascetics, may you soon obtain what you wish and desire. (25)

'Increase in knowledge, faith, and right conduct, in forbearance and perfection!' (26)

In this manner Rama and Kesava, the Dasarhas, and many people paid their respects to Arishtanemi and then returned to the town of Dvaraka. (27)

When the daughter of the king heard of the ordination of the righteous one, laughter and gaiety forsook her, and she was overwhelmed with affliction. (28)

Rajimati thought: 'Shame upon my life, that I have been forsaken by him! it is better I should turn nun.' (29)

Firm and decided she cut off her tresses which were black like bees and dressed with a brush and comb. (30)

And Vasudeva said to her who had cut off her hair, and subdued her senses: 'Lady, cross the dreadful ocean of worldly existence without difficulty!' (31)

When she had entered the order, the virtuous and very learned lady induced there many people, her relations and servants, to enter the order too. (32)

On her way to mount Raivataka it began to rain; her clothes being wet, she entered a cave and waited there in the darkness while it was raining. (33)

She laid aside her wet clothes, and thus she was seen by Rathanemi, whose peace of mind became thereby disturbed; and afterwards she saw him. (34)

She was frightened when she discovered herself alone with the monk; folding her arms over her breast she sank down trembling. (35)

When the prince, Samudravijaya's son, saw her frightened and trembling, he spoke the following words: (36)

'I am Rathanemi, O dear, beautiful, sweetly-speaking lady! Do accept me, O slender one, you shall have no cause to complain. (37)

'Come, let us enjoy pleasures, for it is a rare chance to be born a human being; after we have enjoyed pleasures, we shall enter on the path of the righteous.' (38)

When Rajimati perceived that Rathanemi's strength of will was broken, and temptation had got the better of him, she did not lose her presence of mind and defended herself on that occasion. (39)

The daughter of the best king, true to self-control and her vows, maintained the honour of her clan and family, and her virtue, and spoke to him: (40)

'If you owned the wealth of the richest of men, the pleasing manners of the most comely of princes, if you were like the mightiest of kings himself, I should have no desire for you. (41)

'Fie upon you, famous knight, who want to quaff the vomited drink for the sake of this life; it would be better for you to die. (42)

'I am the daughter of the Bhoja king, and you are an Andhakavrishni; being born in a noble family let us not become like Gandhana-snakes; firmly practise self-control! (43)

'If you fall in love with every woman you see, you will be without hold like the Hada-plant, driven before the wind. (44)

'As a herdsman or a keeper of goods does not own the things he has the care of, so you will not truly own the state of an ascetic.' (45)

Having heard these well-spoken words of the virtuous lady, he returned to the Law like an elephant driven by the hook. (46)

Protected in thoughts, words, and acts, subduing his senses and keeping the vows, he practised true asceticism throughout life. (47)

After practising severe austerities both of them attained perfect knowledge, and having settled their account of deeds completely, they reached the highest perfection. (48)

Thus act the enlightened, the wise, the clever ones; they turn from pleasures as did this best of men. (49)

Thus I say.