Viswamitra's Transformation from King (contd)
Balakanda - Sarga 60
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Balakanda - Sarga 60
Witness Viswamitra's defiance of the gods as he elevates King Trishanku to the heavens, challenging Indra and reshaping the cosmos in this epic tale of power and perseverance.
The brilliant sage Viswamitra, having defeated the sons of Vasishta (including Mahodaya) through his ascetic power, addressed the assembled sages (1.60.1-3):
"This virtuous and generous king of the Ikshvaku dynasty (a legendary solar dynasty), known as Trishanku, has sought my protection. He wishes to ascend to heaven in his physical body. I ask you all to join me in performing a sacrifice that will allow him to achieve this goal."
Upon hearing Viswamitra's words, all the great sages, well-versed in spiritual law, conferred and responded (1.60.4-7):
This descendant of Kushika (Viswamitra's clan) is known for his extreme anger.
Whatever he says must be carried out without hesitation.
He is like fire and may curse us if provoked.
Therefore, we should perform the sacrifice as requested.
The sages concluded, "Let the sacrifice be performed so that Trishanku may ascend to heaven in his physical body through Viswamitra's spiritual power."
Having made this decision, the great sages began their respective roles in the sacrifice. The mighty Viswamitra acted as the chief officiating priest (1.60.8-9).
After a long time, Viswamitra invoked all the gods to receive their share of the offerings. However, the invited deities did not appear (1.60.10-11).
Filled with anger at the gods' absence, Viswamitra raised the sacrificial ladle. He turned to Trishanku and declared (1.60.12-15):
"O King, witness the power of my hard-earned asceticism. With my spiritual might, I shall send you to heaven in your physical body - a feat difficult for anyone else to accomplish. By the power of my austerities, ascend to heaven now!"
As Viswamitra spoke these words, King Trishanku began to ascend towards heaven in his physical body, watched by the astonished sages.
As Trishanku ascended to the celestial realm, he encountered Indra (also known as Pakashasana, the destroyer of the demon Paka) along with the other gods. Indra, upon seeing Trishanku, spoke these words (1.60.16-17):
"Trishanku, go back! You are not fit to inhabit heaven. Doomed by the curse of your spiritual preceptor, fall back to Earth, head downwards, you fool!"
Commanded thus by Indra, Trishanku began to fall. As he plummeted, he cried out to Viswamitra, "Protect me, protect me!" (1.60.18-19)
Hearing Trishanku's desperate plea, Viswamitra was filled with intense anger. He shouted, "Stay! Stay!" halting Trishanku's fall.
Standing amidst the sages, the powerful Viswamitra appeared like another Prajapati (creator god). In his fury, he began to create new celestial bodies (1.60.20-23):
He created another group of seven sages (stars) in the southern sky.
He formed a new set of constellations.
Overwhelmed by anger, he even declared, "I will create another Indra, or this world shall be without one!"
Viswamitra's actions and words caused great alarm among the sages, gods, and demons. They approached the great sage with humble words, saying (1.60.24-25):
"O glorious one, this king has been cursed by his spiritual preceptor. He is not worthy of ascending to heaven with his physical body."
Hearing their plea, Viswamitra, the epitome of righteousness, addressed all the gods with these momentous words (1.60.26-29):
"Having promised King Trishanku ascent to heaven with his physical form, I cannot go back on my word. Let this heaven be an eternal abode for Trishanku in his physical form. All these stars I have created shall endure as long as the worlds survive. O gods, it behoves you to grant consent to this."
Thus addressed, all the gods replied to the eminent sage (1.60.30-32):
"Let it be so, O best among sages. May you be blessed. We agree to the following conditions:
The numerous stars you've created shall remain forever in the firmament, beyond the path of Vaisvanara (the zodiac, or the sun's path through the celestial sphere).
Trishanku shall stay there, head downwards, shining brilliantly like an immortal.
These stars will follow this illustrious king, who has achieved his goal, as if he had attained heaven."
Viswamitra, the virtuous and mighty sage, having been praised by all the gods and sages, simply said, "So be it." (1.60.33)
Then, O best among men (addressing Rama), at the conclusion of the sacrifice, the great gods and ascetics departed the way they had come (1.60.34).
Thus ends the Sixtieth sarga (chapter) of Balakanda (The Book of Youth) of the holy Ramayana, the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.