6: Jaccandhavaggo
The Chapter (including the Discourse) about the Congenitally Blind

6-1: Āyusaṅkhāravossajanasuttaṁ (51)
The Discourse about the Relinquishment of the Life Process

Evaṁ me sutaṁ:
Thus I heard:

ekaṁ samayaṁ Bhagavā Vesāliyaṁ viharati,
at one time the Fortunate One was dwelling near Vesālī,

Mahāvane Kūṭāgārasālāyaṁ.
in the Great Wood, at the Gabled Hall.

Atha kho Bhagavā, pubbanhasamayaṁ nivāsetvā,
Then the Fortunate One, having dressed in the morning time,

pattacīvaram-ādāya, Vesāliṁ piṇḍāya pāvisi.
after picking up his bowl and robe, entered Vesālī for alms.

Vesāliyaṁ piṇḍāya caritvā, pacchābhattaṁ piṇḍapātapaṭikkanto,
After walking for alms in Vesālī, when he had returned from the alms-round after the meal,

āyasmantaṁ Ānandaṁ āmantesi:
he addressed venerable Ānanda, (saying):

“Gaṇhāhi Ānanda nisīdanaṁ,
“Take up the sitting mat, Ānanda,

yena Cāpālaṁ cetiyaṁ tenupasaṅkamissāma divā vihārāyā” ti.
we will go to the Cāpāla shrine to dwell for the day.”

“Evaṁ bhante,” ti kho āyasmā Ānando Bhagavato paṭissutvā,
“Yes, reverend Sir,” said venerable Ānanda, and after replying to the Fortunate One,

nisīdanam-ādāya Bhagavantaṁ piṭṭhito piṭṭhito piṭṭhito is an ablative adverb, meaning: at the back of ; the reduplication is emphatic: close behind. anubandhi.
and taking the sitting mat, he followed along close behind the Fortunate One.

Atha kho Bhagavā yena Cāpālaṁ cetiyaṁ tenupasaṅkami,
Then the Fortunate One went to the Cāpāla shrine,

upasaṅkamitvā, paññatte āsane nisīdi.
and after going, he sat down on the prepared seat.

Nisajja kho Bhagavā āyasmantaṁ Ānandaṁ āmantesi:
While sat the Fortunate One addressed venerable Ānanda, (saying):

“Ramaṇīyā Ānanda Vesālī, ramaṇīyaṁ Udenaṁ cetiyaṁ,
“Delightful, Ānanda, is Vesālī, delightful is the Udena shrine,

ramaṇīyaṁ Gotamakaṁ cetiyaṁ, ramaṇīyaṁ Sattambaṁ cetiyaṁ,
delightful is the Gotamaka shrine, delightful is the Sattamba shrine,

ramanīyaṁ Bahuputtaṁ cetiyaṁ, ramaṇīyaṁ Sārandadaṁ cetiyaṁ,
delightful is the Bahuputta shrine, delightful is the Sārandada shrine,

ramaṇīyaṁ Cāpālaṁ cetiyaṁ.
delightful is the Cāpāla shrine.

Yassa kassaci Ānanda cattāro iddhipādā bhāvitā,
^o Whoever has developed, Ānanda, made much of, carried on, established,

bahulīkatā yānīkatā vatthukatā anuṭṭhitā paricitā susamāraddhā,
maintained, augmented, and properly instigated the four paths to power,

so ākaṅkhamāno kappaṁ vā tiṭṭheyya kappāvasesaṁ vā. The Commentary specifically and clearly states that kappa means lifespan here: ettha ca kappan ti āyukappaṁ. I see no good reason to depart from this interpretation.
could, if he wanted, remain for the lifespan or for what is left of the lifespan.

Tathāgatassa kho Ānanda cattāro iddhipādā bhāvitā,
^o The Realised One has developed, Ānanda, made much of, carried on, established,

bahulīkatā yānīkatā vatthukatā anuṭṭhitā paricitā susamāraddhā.
maintained, augmented, and properly instigated the four paths to power.

Ākaṅkhamāno Ānanda Tathāgato
If he wanted, Ānanda, the Realised One

kappaṁ vā tiṭṭheyya kappāvasesaṁ vā” ti.
could remain for the lifespan or for what is left of the lifespan.”

Evam-pi kho āyasmā Ānando Bhagavatā oḷārike nimitte kayiramāne,
But venerable Ānanda, despite such a gross hint being made by the Fortunate One,

oḷārike obhāse kayiramāne, Here the locative absolutes parallel the genitive absolute in the sense of in spite of, even when etc. nāsakkhi paṭivijjhituṁ,
such a gross suggestion being made, was unable to penetrate it,

na Bhagavantaṁ yāci:
and did not beg the Fortunate One, (saying):

“Tiṭṭhatu bhante Bhagavā kappaṁ tiṭṭhatu Sugato kappaṁ,
“May the Fortunate One remain, reverend Sir, for the lifespan; may the Happy One remain for the lifespan,

bahujanahitāya bahujanasukhāya lokānukampāya,
for the benefit of many people, for the happiness of many people, out of compassion for the world,

atthāya hitāya sukhāya devamanussānan”-ti, Note that the verbal force of the infinitive-like dative of purpose is so strong in this stock phrase that it is employed without needing a verb to reinforce the meaning.
for the welfare, benefit, and happiness of devas and men,”

yathā taṁ Mārena pariyuṭṭhitacitto.
like one whose mind was possessed by Māra.

Dutiyam-pi kho Bhagavā āyasmantaṁ Ānandaṁ āmantesi:
For a second time the Fortunate One addressed venerable Ānanda, (saying):

“Ramaṇīyā Ānanda Vesālī, ramaṇīyaṁ Udenaṁ cetiyaṁ,
“Delightful, Ānanda, is Vesālī, delightful is the Udena shrine,

ramaṇīyaṁ Gotamakaṁ cetiyaṁ, ramaṇīyaṁ Sattambaṁ cetiyaṁ,
delightful is the Gotamaka shrine, delightful is the Sattamba shrine,

ramanīyaṁ Bahuputtaṁ cetiyaṁ, ramaṇīyaṁ Sārandadaṁ cetiyaṁ,
delightful is the Bahuputta shrine, delightful is the Sārandada shrine,

ramaṇīyaṁ Cāpālaṁ cetiyaṁ.
delightful is the Cāpāla shrine.

Yassa kassaci Ānanda cattāro iddhipādā bhāvitā,
^o Whoever has developed, Ānanda, made much of, carried on, established,

bahulīkatā yānīkatā vatthukatā anuṭṭhitā paricitā susamāraddhā,
maintained, augmented, and properly instigated the four paths to power,

so ākaṅkhamāno kappaṁ vā tiṭṭheyya kappāvasesaṁ vā.
could, if he wanted, remain for the lifespan or for what is left of the lifespan.

Tathāgatassa kho Ānanda cattāro iddhipādā bhāvitā
^o The Realised One has developed, Ānanda, made much of, carried on, established,

bahulīkatā yānīkatā vatthukatā anuṭṭhitā paricitā susamāraddhā.
maintained, augmented, and properly instigated the four paths to power.

Ākaṅkhamāno Ānanda Tathāgato
If he wanted, Ānanda, the Realised One

kappaṁ vā tiṭṭheyya kappāvasesaṁ vā” ti.
could remain for the lifespan or for what is left of the lifespan.”

Evam-pi kho āyasmā Ānando Bhagavatā oḷārike nimitte kayiramāne,
But venerable Ānanda, despite such a gross hint being made by the Fortunate One,

oḷārike obhāse kayiramāne, nāsakkhi paṭivijjhituṁ,
such a gross suggestion being made, was unable to penetrate it,

na Bhagavantaṁ yāci:
and did not beg the Fortunate One, (saying):

“Tiṭṭhatu bhante Bhagavā kappaṁ tiṭṭhatu Sugato kappaṁ,
“May the Fortunate One remain, reverend Sir, for the lifespan, may the Happy One remain for the lifespan,

bahujanahitāya bahujanasukhāya lokānukampāya,
for the benefit of many people, for the happiness of many people, out of compassion for the world,

atthāya hitāya sukhāya devamanussānan”-ti,
for the welfare, benefit, and happiness of devas and men,”

yathā taṁ Mārena pariyuṭṭhitacitto.
like one whose mind was possessed by Māra.

Tatiyam-pi kho Bhagavā āyasmantaṁ Ānandaṁ āmantesi:
For a third time the Fortunate One addressed venerable Ānanda, (saying):

“Ramaṇīyā Ānanda Vesālī, ramaṇīyaṁ Udenaṁ cetiyaṁ,
“Delightful, Ānanda, is Vesālī, delightful is the Udena shrine,

ramaṇīyaṁ Gotamakaṁ cetiyaṁ, ramaṇīyaṁ Sattambaṁ cetiyaṁ,
delightful is the Gotamaka shrine, delightful is the Sattamba shrine,

ramanīyaṁ Bahuputtaṁ cetiyaṁ, ramaṇīyaṁ Sārandadaṁ cetiyaṁ,
delightful is the Bahuputta shrine, delightful is the Sārandada shrine,

ramaṇīyaṁ Cāpālaṁ cetiyaṁ.
delightful is the Cāpāla shrine.

Yassa kassaci Ānanda cattāro iddhipādā bhāvitā,
^o Whoever has developed, Ānanda, made much of, carried on, established,

bahulīkatā yānīkatā vatthukatā anuṭṭhitā paricitā susamāraddhā,
maintained, augmented, and properly instigated the four paths to power,

so ākaṅkhamāno kappaṁ vā tiṭṭheyya kappāvasesaṁ vā.
could, if he wanted, remain for the lifespan or for what is left of the lifespan.

Tathāgatassa kho Ānanda cattāro iddhipādā bhāvitā
^o The Realised One has developed, Ānanda, made much of, carried on, established,

bahulīkatā yānīkatā vatthukatā anuṭṭhitā paricitā susamāraddhā.
maintained, augmented, and properly instigated the four paths to power.

Ākaṅkhamāno Ānanda Tathāgato
If he wanted, Ānanda, the Realised One

kappaṁ vā tiṭṭheyya kappāvasesaṁ vā” ti.
could remain for the lifespan or for what is left of the lifespan.”

Evam-pi kho āyasmā Ānando Bhagavatā oḷārike nimitte kayiramāne,
But venerable Ānanda, despite such a gross hint being made by the Fortunate One,

oḷārike obhāse kayiramāne, nāsakkhi paṭivijjhituṁ,
such a gross suggestion being made, was unable to penetrate it,

na Bhagavantaṁ yāci:
and did not beg the Fortunate One, (saying):

“Tiṭṭhatu bhante Bhagavā kappaṁ tiṭṭhatu Sugato kappaṁ,
“May the Fortunate One remain, reverend Sir, for the lifespan, may the Happy One remain for the lifespan,

bahujanahitāya bahujanasukhāya lokānukampāya,
for the benefit of many people, for the happiness of many people, out of compassion for the world,

atthāya hitāya sukhāya devamanussānan”-ti,
for the welfare, benefit, and happiness of devas and men,”

yathā taṁ Mārena pariyuṭṭhitacitto.
like one whose mind was possessed by Māra.

Atha kho Bhagavā āyasmantaṁ Ānandaṁ āmantesi:
Then the Fortunate One addressed venerable Ānanda, (saying):

“Gaccha tvaṁ Ānanda yassa dāni kālaṁ maññasī” ti.
“Go, Ānanda, now is the time for whatever you are thinking.”

“Evaṁ bhante,” ti kho āyasmā Ānando Bhagavato paṭissutvā,
“Yes, reverend Sir,” said venerable Ānanda, and after replying to the Fortunate One,

uṭṭhāyāsanā, Bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā padakkhiṇaṁ katvā,
rising from his seat, worshipping and circumambulating the Fortunate One,

avidūre aññatarasmiṁ rukkhamūle nisīdi.
he sat down not far away at the root of a certain tree.

Atha kho Māro Pāpimā, acirapakkante āyasmante Ānande,
Then the Wicked Māra, not long after the venerable Ānanda had gone,

yena Bhagavā tenupasaṅkami, upasaṅkamitvā, ekamantaṁ aṭṭhāsi.
went to the Fortunate One, and after going, he stood on one side.

Ekamantaṁ ṭhito kho Māro Pāpimā Bhagavantaṁ etad-avoca:
While stood on one side the Wicked Māra said this to the Fortunate One:

“Parinibbātu bhante Bhagavā, Parinibbātu Sugato,
“May the Fortunate One attain Complete Emancipation, reverend Sir, may the Happy One attain Complete Emancipation,

Parinibbānakālo dāni bhante Bhagavato.
now is the time, reverend Sir, for the Fortunate One’s Complete Emancipation.

Bhāsitā kho panesā bhante Bhagavatā vācā:
For the Fortunate One, reverend Sir, has said these words:

‘Na tāvāhaṁ Pāpima Parinibbāyissāmi,
‘I will not attain Complete Emancipation, Wicked One,

yāva me bhikkhū na sāvakā bhavissanti,
for as long as my monks are not (true) disciples,

viyattā vinītā visāradā yogakkhemā bahussutā,
accomplished, disciplined, confident, secure, learned,

Dhammadharā Dhammānudhammapaṭipannā,
bearers of Dhamma, practicing in conformity with the Dhamma,

sāmīcipaṭipannā anudhammacārino,
correct in their practice, living in conformity with the Dhamma,

sakaṁ ācariyakaṁ uggahetvā,
and having learned it from their own teacher,

ācikkhissanti desessanti paññapessanti paṭṭhapessanti,
will declare, reveal, make known, set forth,

vivarissanti vibhajissanti uttānī karissanti
open up, analyse, make plain

- uppannaṁ parappavādaṁ sahadhammena suniggahitaṁ niggahetvā -
- after giving a good rebuke with reason to the arguments of others that have arisen -

sappāṭihāriyaṁ Dhammaṁ desessantī’ ti.
and teach the wonderful Dhamma.’

Santi kho pana bhante etarahi bhikkhū Bhagavato sāvakā,
But at present, reverend Sir, the Fortunate One’s monks are (true) disciples,

viyattā vinītā visāradā yogakkhemā bahussutā,
accomplished, disciplined, confident, secure, learned,

Dhammadharā Dhammānudhammapaṭipannā,
bearers of Dhamma, practicing in conformity with the Dhamma,

sāmīcipaṭipannā anudhammacārino,
correct in their practice, living in conformity with the Dhamma,

sakaṁ ācariyakaṁ uggahetvā
and having learned it from their own teacher,

ācikkhanti desenti paññapenti paṭṭhapenti
do declare, reveal, make known, set forth,

vivaranti vibhajanti uttāniṁ karonti
open up, analyse, make plain

- uppannaṁ parappavādaṁ sahadhammena suniggahitaṁ niggahetvā -
- after giving a good rebuke with reason to the arguments of others that have arisen -

sappāṭihāriyaṁ dhammaṁ desenti.
and teach the wonderful Dhamma.

Parinibbātu bhante Bhagavā, Parinibbātu Sugato,
May the Fortunate One attain Complete Emancipation, reverend Sir, may the Happy One attain Complete Emancipation,

Parinibbānakālo dāni bhante Bhagavato.
now is the time, reverend Sir, for the Fortunate One’s Complete Emancipation.

Bhāsitā kho panesā Bhagavatā vācā:
For the Fortunate One has said these words:

‘Na tāvāhaṁ Pāpima Parinibbāyissāmi,
‘I will not attain Complete Emancipation, Wicked One,

yāva me bhikkhunīyo na sāvikā bhavissanti
for as long as my nuns are not (true) disciples,

viyattā vinītā visāradā yogakkhemā bahussutā,
accomplished, disciplined, confident, secure, learned,

Dhammadharā Dhammānudhammapaṭipannā,
bearers of Dhamma, practicing in conformity with the Dhamma,

sāmīcipaṭipannā anudhammacārino,
correct in their practice, living in conformity with the Dhamma,

sakaṁ ācariyakaṁ uggahetvā,
and having learned it from their own teacher,

ācikkhissanti desessanti paññapessanti paṭṭhapessanti,
will declare, reveal, make known, set forth,

vivarissanti vibhajissanti uttānī karissanti
open up, analyse, make plain

- uppannaṁ parappavādaṁ sahadhammena suniggahitaṁ niggahetvā -
- after giving a good rebuke with reason to the arguments of others that have arisen -

sappāṭihāriyaṁ Dhammaṁ desessantī’ ti.
and teach the wonderful Dhamma.’

Santi kho pana bhante etarahi bhikkhuniyo Bhagavato sāvikā
But at present, reverend Sir, the Fortunate One’s nuns are (true) disciples,

viyattā vinītā visāradā yogakkhemā bahussutā,
accomplished, disciplined, confident, secure, learned,

Dhammadharā Dhammānudhammapaṭipannā,
bearers of Dhamma, practicing in conformity with the Dhamma,

sāmīcipaṭipannā anudhammacārino,
correct in their practice, living in conformity with the Dhamma,

sakaṁ ācariyakaṁ uggahetvā
and having learned it from their own teacher,

ācikkhanti desenti paññapenti paṭṭhapenti
do declare, reveal, make known, set forth,

vivaranti vibhajanti uttāniṁ karonti
open up, analyse, make plain

- uppannaṁ parappavādaṁ sahadhammena suniggahitaṁ niggahetvā -
- after giving a good rebuke with reason to the arguments of others that have arisen -

sappāṭihāriyaṁ dhammaṁ desenti.
and teach the wonderful Dhamma.

Parinibbātu bhante Bhagavā, Parinibbātu Sugato,
May the Fortunate One attain Complete Emancipation, reverend Sir, may the Happy One attain Complete Emancipation,

Parinibbānakālo dāni bhante Bhagavato.
now is the time, reverend Sir, for the Fortunate One’s Complete Emancipation.

Bhāsitā kho panesā Bhagavatā vācā:
For the Fortunate One has said these words:

‘Na tāvāhaṁ Pāpima Parinibbāyissāmi,
‘I will not attain Complete Emancipation, Wicked One,

yāva me upāsakā na sāvakā bhavissanti,
for as long as my male lay followers are not (true) disciples,

viyattā vinītā visāradā yogakkhemā bahussutā,
accomplished, disciplined, confident, secure, learned,

Dhammadharā Dhammānudhammapaṭipannā,
bearers of Dhamma, practicing in conformity with the Dhamma,

sāmīcipaṭipannā anudhammacārino,
correct in their practice, living in conformity with the Dhamma,

sakaṁ ācariyakaṁ uggahetvā,
and having learned it from their own teacher,

ācikkhissanti desessanti paññapessanti paṭṭhapessanti,
will declare, reveal, make known, set forth,

vivarissanti vibhajissanti uttānī karissanti
open up, analyse, make plain

- uppannaṁ parappavādaṁ sahadhammena suniggahitaṁ niggahetvā -
- after giving a good rebuke with reason to the arguments of others that have arisen -

sappāṭihāriyaṁ Dhammaṁ desessantī’ ti.
and teach the wonderful Dhamma.’

Santi kho pana bhante etarahi upāsakā Bhagavato sāvakā
But at present, reverend Sir, the Fortunate One’s male lay followers are (true) disciples,

viyattā vinītā visāradā yogakkhemā bahussutā,
accomplished, disciplined, confident, secure, learned,

Dhammadharā Dhammānudhammapaṭipannā,
bearers of Dhamma, practicing in conformity with the Dhamma,

sāmīcipaṭipannā anudhammacārino,
correct in their practice, living in conformity with the Dhamma,

sakaṁ ācariyakaṁ uggahetvā
and having learned it from their own teacher,

ācikkhanti desenti paññapenti paṭṭhapenti
do declare, reveal, make known, set forth,

vivaranti vibhajanti uttāniṁ karonti
open up, analyse, make plain

- uppannaṁ parappavādaṁ sahadhammena suniggahitaṁ niggahetvā -
- after giving a good rebuke with reason to the arguments of others that have arisen -

sappāṭihāriyaṁ dhammaṁ desenti.
and teach the wonderful Dhamma.

Parinibbātu bhante Bhagavā, Parinibbātu Sugato,
May the Fortunate One attain Complete Emancipation, reverend Sir, may the Happy One attain Complete Emancipation,

Parinibbānakālo dāni bhante Bhagavato.
now is the time, reverend Sir, for the Fortunate One’s Complete Emancipation.

Bhāsitā kho panesā Bhagavatā vācā:
For the Fortunate One has said these words:

‘Na tāvāhaṁ Pāpima Parinibbāyissāmi,
‘I will not attain Complete Emancipation, Wicked One,

yāva me upāsikā na sāvikā bhavissanti
for as long as my female lay followers are not (true) disciples,

viyattā vinītā visāradā yogakkhemā bahussutā,
accomplished, disciplined, confident, secure, learned,

Dhammadharā Dhammānudhammapaṭipannā,
bearers of Dhamma, practicing in conformity with the Dhamma,

sāmīcipaṭipannā anudhammacārino,
correct in their practice, living in conformity with the Dhamma,

sakaṁ ācariyakaṁ uggahetvā,
and having learned it from their own teacher,

ācikkhissanti desessanti paññapessanti paṭṭhapessanti,
will declare, reveal, make known, set forth,

vivarissanti vibhajissanti uttānī karissanti
open up, analyse, make plain

- uppannaṁ parappavādaṁ sahadhammena suniggahitaṁ niggahetvā -
- after giving a good rebuke with reason to the arguments of others that have arisen -

sappāṭihāriyaṁ Dhammaṁ desessantī’ ti.
and teach the wonderful Dhamma.’

Santi kho pana bhante etarahi upāsikā Bhagavato sāvikā
But at present, reverend Sir, the Fortunate One’s female lay followers are (true) disciples,

viyattā vinītā visāradā yogakkhemā bahussutā,
accomplished, disciplined, confident, secure, learned,

Dhammadharā Dhammānudhammapaṭipannā,
bearers of Dhamma, practicing in conformity with the Dhamma,

sāmīcipaṭipannā anudhammacārino,
correct in their practice, living in conformity with the Dhamma,

sakaṁ ācariyakaṁ uggahetvā
and having learned it from their own teacher,

ācikkhanti desenti paññapenti paṭṭhapenti
do declare, reveal, make known, set forth,

vivaranti vibhajanti uttāniṁ karonti
open up, analyse, make plain

- uppannaṁ parappavādaṁ sahadhammena suniggahitaṁ niggahetvā -
- after giving a good rebuke with reason to the arguments of others that have arisen -

sappāṭihāriyaṁ dhammaṁ desenti.
and teach the wonderful Dhamma.

Parinibbātu bhante Bhagavā, Parinibbātu Sugato,
May the Fortunate One attain Complete Emancipation, reverend Sir, may the Happy One attain Complete Emancipation,

Parinibbānakālo dāni bhante Bhagavato.
now is the time, reverend Sir, for the Fortunate One’s Complete Emancipation.

Bhāsitā kho panesā Bhagavato vācā:
For the Fortunate One has said these words:

‘Na tāvāhaṁ Pāpima Parinibbāyissāmi,
‘I will not attain Complete Emancipation, Wicked One,

yāva me idaṁ brahmacariyaṁ na iddhañ-ceva bhavissati phītañ-ca,
for as long as this spiritual life of mine has not become successful and prosperous,

vitthārikaṁ bāhujaññaṁ puthubhūtaṁ,
well spread out, possessed by many, become great,

yāva devamanussehi suppakāsitaṁ.’ For the correct parsing of this phrase see PED, s.v. yāva. Wijesekera, Syntax § 9, has an interesting discussion as to whether we may have an archaic plural dative form here (= Skt. -(e) bhyas), and quotes the BHS parallel at Divy 201: yāvad-deva manuṣyebhyaḥ. If that was the correct interpretation we would need to translate: until it is well explained to devas and men; but as it also makes sense as a locative plural we cannot be sure which way to take it.
until it is well explained amongst devas and men.’

Etarahi kho pana bhante Bhagavato brahmacariyaṁ
But at present, reverend Sir, the Fortunate One’s spiritual life

iddhañ-ceva phītañ-ca, vitthārikaṁ bāhujaññaṁ puthubhūtaṁ
is successful and prosperous, well spread out, possessed by many, become great,

yāva devamanussehi suppakāsitaṁ.
it is well explained amongst devas and men.

Parinibbātu bhante Bhagavā, Parinibbātu Sugato,
May the Fortunate One attain Complete Emancipation, reverend Sir, may the Happy One attain Complete Emancipation,

Parinibbānakālo dāni bhante Bhagavato” ti.
now is the time, reverend Sir, for the Fortunate One’s Complete Emancipation.”

Evaṁ vutte, Bhagavā Māraṁ Pāpimantaṁ etad-avoca:
When that was said the Fortunate One said this to the Wicked Māra:

“Appossukko tvaṁ Pāpima hohi,
“You should have little concern, Wicked One,

na ciraṁ Tathāgatassa Parinibbānaṁ bhavissati,
in no long time the Realised One will become completely emancipated,

ito tiṇṇaṁ māsānaṁ accayena, Tathāgato Parinibbāyissatī” ti.
after three months have passed from now, the Realised One will attain Complete Emancipation.”

Atha kho Bhagavā Cāpāle cetiye sato sampajāno āyusaṅkhāraṁ ossajji.
Then at the Cāpāla shrine the Fortunate One, mindfully, with full awareness, relinquished the life process.

Ossaṭṭhe ca Bhagavatā āyusaṅkhāre Ossaṭṭhe ... āyusaṅkhāre is a locative absolute construction implying simultaneity; see Syntax § 183b. mahābhūmicālo ahosi,
With the relinquishment of the life process by the Fortunate One there was a great earthquake,

bhiṁsanako lomahaṁso, devadundubhiyo ca phaliṁsu.
and a fearful, horrifying crash of the devas’ (thunder) drum.

Atha kho Bhagavā, etam-atthaṁ viditvā,
Then the Fortunate One, having understood the significance of it,

tāyaṁ velāyaṁ imaṁ udānaṁ udānesi:
on that occasion uttered this exalted utterance:

last updated: November 2008