[151] Then the Venerable Anuruddha addressed the bhikkhus: "Enough, friends, do not sorrow, do not lament. Has this not been declared beforehand by the Blessed One: that with regard to all that is dear and pleasing there must be alteration, separation, and becoming otherwise? How then, friends, could it be obtained here: 'May that which is born, which has come to be, which is conditioned (saṅkhata), which is of a nature to dissolve, not dissolve!'? — such a possibility does not exist. Friends, the deities are complaining."
"But of what kind, venerable Anuruddha, are the deities you are bringing to mind?"
"There are, friend Ānanda, deities in the sky, percipient of earth, who, dishevelling their hair, weep; raising up their arms, they weep; they fall down as though their feet were cut off; they roll back and forth, [crying]: 'Too soon has the Blessed One attained final Nibbāna! Too soon has the Fortunate One attained final Nibbāna! Too soon has the Eye in the World vanished!' There are, friend Ānanda, deities upon the earth, percipient of earth, who, dishevelling their hair, weep … 'vanished!' But those deities who are free from lust endure it, possessed of mindfulness and clear comprehension, [reflecting]: 'Impermanent are formations (saṅkhārā) — how could it be obtained otherwise here?'"
Then the Venerable Anuruddha and the Venerable Ānanda passed the remainder of that night in talk on the Dhamma. Then the Venerable Anuruddha addressed the Venerable Ānanda: "Go, friend Ānanda; enter Kusinārā and announce to the Mallas of Kusinārā: 'Vāsiṭṭhas, the Blessed One has attained final Nibbāna. Do now what you think it is time to do.'" "Yes, venerable sir," the Venerable Ānanda replied to the Venerable Anuruddha; and in the morning, having dressed and taking bowl and robe, he entered Kusinārā without a companion.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.