Trishanku!

                             (From- Valmiki Ramayana, Balakanda)

There is not a single person in this universe who is exempted from the effect of Karma! The law of cause and effect or the law of Karma is impenetrable. It is said that what goes around, comes around! The same thing is repeated in Newton’s third law! To every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction! Let’s see the effect of Karma!

Once a fierce battle was fought between Rishi Vasishtha and Vishwamitra for possessing the divine cow Sabala- daughter of Suravi (another name Kamadhenu). During the fight, Sabala created her divine army from her body to protect Rishi Vasishtha whom she loved as her father! She told him, ‘O Noble Rishi! Use your spiritual power. Kshatriya power is nothing before Brahmin power! You will win over him!’ Being defeated by Rishi Vasishtha, Vishwamitra sighed heavily, saying, ‘Alas! Fie on Kshatriya Dharma! Fie on Kshatriya power! Spiritual power is the real strength! Sage Vasishtha could conquer over me by spiritual power only. I must, therefore obtain Brahmanhood at any cost!’

Determined to fulfill his desire, Vishwamitra went to the southern quarter and began his hard penance there. He practiced severe penance for more than a thousand years. At last, Lord Brahma was pleased with his austerity and appeared before him. He said, ‘O son of Kaushika! With your severe penance, you have surpassed all the royal sages. Henceforth, you numbered yourself among the great Rishis.’ Showering blessing upon Vishwamitra, Lord Brahma went to his abode.

Vishwamitra was not happy with this and overcome with grief said, ‘Alas! Having performed severe austerities for a prolonged period, Lord had blessed me with royal sage only?’ He felt humiliated and entitled as a mere Rajarshi! Once again he began austerities anew. 

When Vishwamitra was engrossed in his penance, at that time, the noble king of the Solar dynasty- Trishanku approached his royal preceptor- Vasishtha to initiate a sacrifice by the merit of which he could visit Swarg ( heaven) with his physical body. Having heard his intention, Rishi Vasishtha said, ‘O King! This is against the Law of Nature. It can not be so. One can go to heaven through his merits (reward of good or bad Karma).’

Disheartened by Rishi Vasishtha, Trishanku set forth towards the southern side where a hundred sons of his royal preceptor- Vasishtha were meditating. The sons of Vasishtha were leading a life of purity and asceticism! Beholding the illustrious sons, King Trishanku paid his obeisance to all of them and with great humility said, ‘O venerable sages! I salute you, I bow down before you seeking your refuge! I am desirous to perform a sacrifice by the merit of which I could be able to ascend the heaven in this physical body! O Holy One! I pleaded to my preceptor who discouraged me and finally, I have come to you for your aid to initiate the sacrifice. O Sages! Let my desire be fulfilled with your benediction!’

Having heard his words, the great sons of Vasishtha lost their sense! They became furious and said, ‘O Fool! O Wretch! How dare you ask our aid when you are refused by your spiritual preceptor- our father? He who can perform the sacrifices of the three worlds didn't agree to initiate that sacred sacrifice of yours. Do you think we to go against his wish? It shows you as an unworthy disciple of our Sire!’

Being insulted by the holy sons of his preceptor, Trishanku revealed with pain, ‘O sages, may good betide you! Discouraged by both of you and guru Vasishtha, I shall take refuge in someone else to fulfill my desire.’ With a remorseful heart, Trishanku was ready to leave the place! Hearing his words, the sons of the great sage enraged and cursed him to turn into a Chandala. Thenceforth, the hundred sons of Vasishtha went back to their hermitage. 

The next day morning the people were shocked looking at their king. Trishanku had transformed into a low-born being. He lost his luster! His ornaments turned into lead. He looked miserable with a bald head and dark complexion! People fled away looking at his sickening form. Realizing his transformation, Trishanku’s heart was filled with grief. He then searched for a person with whom he could achieve his goal. Finally, he approached Rishi Vishwamitra.

When Vishwamitra saw him, he felt pity for the noble king of the Ikshvaku dynasty. His heart filled with compassion. He said, ‘O King of Ayodhya! What made you come here? I know your reputation. I know how you have come to this through a curse only!

Joining his palms, Trishanku pleaded, ‘O Lord! My spiritual Guru Vasishtha and his one hundred noble sons desisted me from doing meritorious sacrifice by whose merit I am desirous to ascend the heaven in this physical body. O great one! I followed the path of Dharma and righteousness. I have performed so many Yagna and helped needy people. But, I think the fruit of my good deeds became futile! Destiny is all-powerful! Nobody can go beyond the Destiny! I couldn't enjoy the reward of my good deeds! O Rishi, who shall trust if you will not come to my aid.?  O Holy one! With your spiritual power help me to obtain my desire!’

After thinking for a while, Vishwamitra welcomed the king and agreed to perform the sacrifice! He ordered his sons and disciples to invite the noble Brahmanas to assist them in the sacrifice. He reminded them to invite Guru Vasishtha and his hundred sons. He also warned them to let him know if anyone disregards his words! The disciples carried out his order perfectly well. After returning from their duties, they informed Vishwamitra of the harsh words delivered by the sons of Vasishtha- ‘How the divine sages attend a sacrifice which a Chandala undertakes? And the sacrifice that a Kshatriya initiates? What type of Brahamana shall accept the food offered by that Chandala who desires to enter heaven in his mortal body!’

Hearing the news, Vishwamitra rolled his eyes with anger and said, ‘O sages! If the noble sons of Vasishtha disregarded my words without acknowledging my power, let these sons be turned into ashes. They shall take hundred births and eat the flesh of dogs. They shall suffer and sink to a miserable state. This my curse, shall never go in vain!’ After cursing the sons of Vasishtha, Rishi Vishwamitra who was amidst the high-souled Brahmanas pronounced, ‘O Sages! This noble, virtuous king Trishanku from the Ikshvaku dynasty has taken refuge with me. He is desirous of ascending heaven in his physical body! With his submissiveness, I promised him to fulfill his desire. O Sages, do you agree to assist him wholeheartedly?’

The Sages knew the wrath of the short-tempered rishi- Vishwamitra. They began to whisper, ‘We will be consumed by his wrath if we disagree with him! Let us assist the king in the sacrifice.’  

The sacred ritual began with the assistance of all the Rishis according to the Vedic rule. Vishwamitra became the chief priest and the other learned Brahmins joined to help him. Following the rituals, the sacrifice continued for a long time. After a while, Vishwamitra called the gods to accept the share of the sacrifice but none of the celestial gods appeared there. As the gods ignored his call, Vishwamitra was enraged! Out of wrath, he lifted the sacrificial vessel, and said to the King Trishanku, ‘O King! Have no fear! Behold my power! Though it is impossible to accomplish, I pronounce this using my divine power of asceticism,‘ O King Trishanku! Ascend, ascend the heaven in your physical body!’

Amidst the great Rishis, when Vishwamitra uttered these words, Trishanku instantly ascended to heaven!

Looking at him, Indra and the other gods addressed, ‘O Trishanku! Your spiritual preceptor cursed you. You have no place here! O Wretch! Do you fall headlong to the earth? You don't deserve this place.' 

The moment Indra said, Trishanku began to fall towards the earth. He screamed aloud, ‘O Rishi Vishwamitra, help me, protect me.’

Beholding his position, Vishwamitra became furious. He ordered, ‘Stop, stay there.’ Trishanku stopped in the mid-air! Indra didn't allow him to come up, and Vishwamitra didn't allow him to come down!

The learned Brahmanas and other Rishis were startled at this miraculous scenery! They couldn't believe their eyes! Thereafter, Vishwamitra created a new heaven with seven planets called Seven Planets, Ashwini, and other stars in the southern quarter. He was about to create another Indra, gods, and then decided to make Trishanku Lord of that heaven.’

Beholding the wonderful site created, the gods, sages, and Indra all were frightened. Indra approached Vishwamitra requesting him to desist from this attempt. With humility he said , ‘O Rishi! Stop sending this king to heaven. His spiritual Guru cursed him. He doesn't deserve it. He is a sinner!'

Then, Vishwamitra said, ‘O Gods! I have promised him to send him with his embodied state. My vow must be fulfilled. I have created the ocean, the Pole star, and the other planets. Let this heaven stand as long as the former heaven survives! You must confirm it!’ 

The gods with Indra had no choice! They said, ‘Be it so! O Rishi, the heaven created by you shall go on and let Trishanku suspended in this position of head downwards. He would remain as if immortal among the shining stars.’

The celestials, the Rishis, and the ascetics praised the wonderful feat of Rishi Vishwamitra which was never seen before or done by anyone!  All returned happily to their abode!

[PS: In other Puranas, it is given as--- The first name of Trishanku was Satyavrata. He was named Trishanku after committing three grave sins. He was the son of King Trayyaruna from Solar Dynasty!] He became a chandala because of his bad karma and enjoyed a newly created heaven like Indra for his good karma!