Viswamitra's Transformation from King (contd)
Balakanda - Sarga 58
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Balakanda - Sarga 58
King Trishanku, cursed to be a Chandala, seeks Viswamitra's help after Vasishta's rejection. His plea challenges fate and explores the limits of human effort in this Ramayana tale.
O Rama, upon hearing King Trishanku's (a legendary king of Ayodhya) words, the hundred sons of sage Vasishta angrily addressed the king:
"O evil-minded one, our spiritual preceptor, who always speaks the truth, has already refused you. How dare you bypass him and approach us, who are mere offshoots of the main branch? For all kings of the Ikshvaku race (an ancient royal dynasty), their chief priest is their supreme Guru (spiritual teacher). It is impossible to disregard the word of one who speaks the truth.
The venerable sage Vasishta has already declared it impossible to perform this sacrifice for you. How can we, mere descendants, be capable of conducting such a ritual? O best among men, you are acting childishly. Return to your capital at once. O monarch, the venerable Vasishta is capable of performing sacrifices for anyone in the three worlds. How can we possibly dishonor him?"
After hearing their angry and confused speech, the king addressed them again:
"I have been rejected by my Guru and now by his sons as well. I shall seek another path. Farewell to you, O men of great ascetic wealth."
Hearing his words of fierce intent, the sons of the sage became furious. They cursed him, saying, "You shall become a Chandala (an outcast of the lowest social order)!" Having spoken thus, these great souls entered their hermitage.
As night passed, the king was transformed into a Chandala.
Trishanku's appearance changed dramatically:
He now wore black garments and had dark skin.
His appearance became dirty, with disheveled hair.
His body was smeared with ashes, and he wore wreaths from the cemetery.
His ornaments were now made of iron.
Seeing him in the form of a Chandala, all his counselors, the city's inhabitants, and his followers fled away. O descendant of Kakustha (Rama), the once great and courageous king now wandered alone, burning with distress day and night. He made his way towards Viswamitra, who was rich in ascetic power.
O Rama, when the sage Viswamitra saw the king reduced to a useless Chandala, he was touched with pity. The exceedingly energetic and highly pious sage, out of compassion, addressed the king, who now had a frightful appearance, saying:
"Welfare to you! O mighty prince, what brings you here? O heroic lord of Ayodhya, whose curse has turned you into a Chandala?"
The king, now a Chandala but still eloquent, spoke to Viswamitra with folded hands:
"I was rejected by my Guru and his sons. Without attaining my desire, I have instead reaped disaster. O gentle sage, it is my intention to enter heaven with my physical body. I performed a hundred sacrifices but did not reap their fruit."
Trishanku then recounted his past deeds:
He had never uttered an untruth, nor would he ever, even in troubled circumstances.
He swore this by the code of the Kshatriyas (warrior class).
He had performed various sacrifices and ruled his people righteously.
He had pleased eminent elders with his conduct and character.
Despite these efforts, Trishanku explained, "O preeminent among sages, despite my efforts to fulfill my duty and perform sacrifices, my spiritual preceptors are not pleased. I now believe that destiny alone is all-powerful, and human effort is in vain. Everything is controlled by destiny; it is the supreme force."
Deeply afflicted and with his actions thwarted by destiny, Trishanku made his final plea:
"I crave a favor from you. You alone are fit to grant it. I will not seek refuge elsewhere; there is no other protector for me. You are capable of averting my reverses in fate through human effort."
Thus ends the Fifty Eighth sarga (chapter) of Balakanda (The Book of Youth) of the holy Ramayana, the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.