Mahâ-Parinibbâna-Suttanta: The Book of the Great Decease

50. 'On the night, Ânanda, on which a Tathâgata attains to the supreme and perfect insight, and on the night in which he passes finally away in that utter passing away which leaves nothing whatever to remain--on these two occasions the colour of the skin of the Tathâgata becomes clear and exceeding bright. 51. 'And now this day, Ânanda, at the third watch of the night, in the Upavattana of Kusinârâ, in the Sâla Grove of the Mallians, between the twin Sâla [1. 'The commentator says, Bhagavato kâyam upanâmitan ti nivâsana-pârûpana-vasena alliyâpitam: Bhagavâ pi tato ekam nivâsesi ekam pârûpi. Vîtakkikam ('MS. kkh) viyâ ti yathâ (MS. tathâ) vitakkiko angâro antanten' eva gotîti bahi pan' assa pabhâ n' atthi, evam bahi pakkhinna- (MS. pakkhinna-) pabhâ hutvâ khâyatî ti. My MS. of the text reads vitâsikam (as did Yâtrâmulle's MS. here, and one MS. of Fausböll's at Gâtaka I, 153, 154). There the word is used of embers in which food is cooked, without flame,' = glowing, smoldering.' Vitakkhikâ, 'an eruption on the skin,' belongs to the root kark.] p. 82 trees, the utter passing away of the Tathâgata will take place. Come, Ânanda! let us go on to the river Kakutthâ.' 'Even so, Lord!' said the venerable Ânanda, in assent, to the Blessed One. 52. The pair of robes of cloth of gold, All burnished, Pukkusa had brought, Clad on with them the Master then Shone forth in colour like to gold[1]!