Kesi said to Gautama, 'I want to ask you something, holy man.' Then to these words of Kesi Gautama made the following reply: "Sir, ask whatever you like." Then with his permission Kesi spoke to Gautama: (21, 22)

'The Law taught by the great sage Parsva, recognises but four vows, whilst that of Vardhamana enjoins five. (23)

'Both Laws pursuing the same end, what has caused this difference? Have you no misgivings about this twofold Law, O wise man?' (24)

Then to these words of Kesi Gautama made the following reply: "Wisdom recognises the truth of the Law and the ascertainment of true things. (25)

"The first saints were simple but slow of understanding, the last saints prevaricating and slow of understanding, those between the two simple and wise; hence there are two forms of the Law . (26)

"The first could but with difficulty understand the precepts of the Law, and the last could only with difficulty observe them, but those between them easily understood and observed them." (27)

'Well, Gautama, you possess wisdom, you have destroyed my doubt; but I have another doubt which you must explain to me, Gautama. (28)

'The Law taught by Vardhamana forbids clothes, but that of the great sage Parsva allows an under and upper garment. (29)

'Both Laws pursuing the same end, what has caused this difference? Have you no misgivings about this twofold Law, O wise man?' (30)

To these words of Kesi Gautama made the following reply: "Deciding the matter by their superior knowledge, (the Tirthakaras) have fixed what is necessary for carrying out the Law. (31)

"The various outward marks (of religious men) have been introduced in order that people might recognise them as such; the reason for the characteristic marks is their usefulness for religious life and their distinguishing character. (32)

"Now the opinion (of the Tirthakaras) is that knowledge, faith. and right conduct are the true causes of final liberation, (and not the outward marks)." (33)

'Well, Gautama, you possess wisdom, you have destroyed my doubt; but I have another doubt, which you must explain to me, Gautama. (34)

'Gautama, you stand in the midst of many

thousand (foes) who make an attack on you; how have you vanquished them ? (35)

"By vanquishing one, five are vanquished; by vanquishing five, ten are vanquished; by this tenfold victory, I vanquish all foes." (36)

Kesi said to Gautama: 'Whom do you call a foe?' To these words of Kesi Gautama made the following reply: (37)

"Self is the one invincible foe, (together with the four) cardinal passions , (viz. anger, pride, deceit, and greed, they are five) and the (five) senses (make ten). These (foes), O great sage, I have regularly vanquished." (38)