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[The Fifth Chapter]
[91. The Arhat Aristanemi said: "Henceforth, having shaved off the hair of my head, I shall renounce the household life and adopt the life of a mendicant."]
'Kanha!' said the Arhat Aristanemi to Kanha Vasudeva,
"Surely, Kanha! This thought, contemplation, aspiration and resolve has arisen in your mind that 'Blessed are those Kshatriya princes - Jali, Mayali, Uvayali, Purisasena, Virasena, Pradyumna, Shambu, Aniruddha, Dridhanemi and Satyanemi - who, having renounced wealth, army, vehicles, treasury, storehouse, city, harem and other possessions, and a large quantity of gold, silver, copper, precious clothes, gems, pearls, conches, stones, corals and other valuable substances, have shaved off their hair, renounced the household life and adopted the life of mendicants at the feet of Lord Neminatha.'"
"And I am unfortunate and devoid of merit, being attached to the kingdom, treasury, storehouse, army, vehicles, city, harem and human pleasures, and unable to shave off my hair, renounce the household life and adopt the life of a mendicant at the feet of Lord Neminatha."
Knowing through his omniscience the thoughts that had arisen in the mind of Kanha Vasudeva who was immersed in distress, the Arhat Aristanemi said to him:
"Surely, Kanha! It is true that those Kshatriya princes - Jali, Mayali and others - have renounced wealth and family and adopted the life of mendicants, and you are unfortunate and devoid of merit, being attached to the kingdom, treasury and human pleasures, and unable to renounce the household life.
But, Kanha! It has never happened, does not happen, and will never happen that the Vasudeva renounces wealth, grain, gold and other possessions and adopts the life of a mendicant. The Vasudeva does not initiate, has not initiated, and will never initiate [the monastic life]."
Kanha asked, "Bhante! Why is it said that it has never happened, does not happen, and will never happen [that the Vasudeva adopts the life of a mendicant]? What is the reason for this?"