The Discourse about the Great Emancipation

The Sixth Chapter for Recitation
Mallas, having washed their heads and put on clean clothes, (and
saying): ‘Let us burn the Gracious One's funeral pyre,’ are not able to
burn (it)?”
“The Divinities 192 have another intention, Vāseṭṭhas.”
“But what is the Divinities' intention, reverend Sir?”
“The Divinities' intention, Vāseṭṭhas, (is): ‘The venerable Mahākassapa
is travelling along the highway from Pāvā to Kusinārā together with a
great Community of monks, around five-hundred monks, the Gracious
One's funeral pyre will not burn while venerable Mahākassapa has not
worshipped the Gracious One's feet with his head.’ ”
“Let us do according to the Divinities' intention, reverend Sir.”
Then venerable Mahākassapa approached Kusinārā, and the Mallas'
Shrine called the Bonded Coronet, and the Gracious One's funeral
pyre, and after approaching and arranging his robe on one shoulder,
extending (his hands) in respectful salutation, and circumambulating
192 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.
188