Mahaparinibbanasuttam (DN 16) - Ancient Buddhist Texts

The Sixth Chapter for Recitation - 233
Atha kho Kosinārakā Mallā āyasmantaṁ Anuruddhaṁ etad-avocuṁ:
Then the Mallas of Kusinārā said this to venerable Anuruddha:
“Ko nu kho Bhante Anuruddha hetu ko paccayo,
“What is the reason, venerable Anuruddha, what is the cause,
yenime cattāro Mallapāmokkhā,
why four leaders of the Mallas,
sīsaṁ nahātā ahatāni vatthāni nivatthā,
having washed their heads and put on clean clothes, (and saying):
‘Mayaṁ Bhagavato citakaṁ āḷimpessāmā,’ ti na sakkonti āḷimpetun?”-ti
‘Let us burn the Gracious One’s funeral pyre,’ are not able to burn (it)?”
“Aññathā kho Vāseṭṭhā Devatānaṁ adhippāyo.” ti
“The Divinities 265 have another intention, Vāseṭṭhas.”
“Kathaṁ pana Bhante Devatānaṁ adhippāyo.” ti
“But what is the Divinities’ intention, reverend Sir?”
“Devatānaṁ kho Vāseṭṭhā adhippāyo:
“The Divinities’ intention, Vāseṭṭhas, (is):
‘Ayaṁ āyasmā Mahākassapo Pāvāya Kusināraṁ addhānamaggapaṭipanno
‘The venerable Mahākassapa is travelling along the highway from Pāvā to Kusinārā
mahatā bhikkhusaṅghena saddhiṁ pañcamattehi bhikkhusatehi,
together with a great Community of monks, around five-hundred monks,
na tāva Bhagavato citako pajjalissati
the Gracious One’s funeral pyre will not burn
yāvāyasmā Mahākassapo Bhagavato pāde sirasā na vandissatī.’” ti
while venerable Mahākassapa has not worshipped the Gracious One’s feet with his
head.’”
“Yathā Bhante Devatānaṁ adhippāyo tathā hotū.” ti
“Let us do according to the Divinities’ intention, reverend Sir.”
265 The Commentary says these Divinities were Ven. Mahākassapa’s supporters, like Sakka. See
Ud. 1-6 and 3-7 for instances of the Divinities waiting on Ven. Mahākassapa.