[404] Leaning upon the summit of an overhanging cliff, the Self-Awakened One (sayambhū), the unvanquished —
that Buddha, afflicted with illness, was dwelling within the mountains.
All about my hermitage there was a resounding cry at that very moment;
as the Buddha was attaining Nibbāna, there was a light at that very moment.
As many bears, wolves, and hyenas as were in the forest thicket,
and the beasts of prey and maned lions — all roared aloud at that very moment.
Having seen that portent, I went to the overhanging cliff;
there I saw the Fully Awakened One, quenched (nibbuta), unvanquished —
like a royal sāla tree in full blossom, like the hundred-rayed sun arisen,
like an ember whose flames have gone out: quenched, unvanquished.
Having heaped it full with grass and wood, I made a pyre there;
having made the pyre well, I cremated the body.
Having cremated the body, I sprinkled scented water upon it;
a yakkha standing in the sky pronounced a name at that very moment:
"That duty has been fulfilled by you for the Self-Awakened One, the Great Seer;
whenever you come to be, O sage, you shall be Puṇṇaka by name."
Having passed away from that body, I went to the deva world;
there a divinely wrought fragrance rained down from the sky.
There too my name then was "Puṇṇaka";
whether become a deva or a human, I fulfill my intention (saṅkappa).
This is my last; the final existence is now proceeding;
here too the name "Puṇṇaka" is made manifest.
Having gladdened the Fully Awakened One, Gotama, the bull of the Sakyans,
having fully understood all taints (āsava), I dwell without taints.
In the ninety-first aeon from now — the deed that I did then:
I know of no bad destination; this is the fruit of the service to the body.
My defilements (kilesa) have been burned away; all existences have been rooted out;
like an elephant that has sundered its bonds, I dwell without taints.
Welcome indeed was my coming into the presence of my Buddha!
The three true knowledges (vijjā) have been attained; the Buddha's teaching has been done.
The four analytic insights (paṭisambhidā), and also these eight liberations (vimokkha),
and the six superknowledges (abhiññā) have been realized; the Buddha's teaching has been done.
Thus indeed the Venerable Puṇṇaka the Elder spoke these verses.
The Apadāna of Puṇṇaka the Elder is concluded.
Third: the Apadāna of Mettagū the Elder (403)
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.