RAMAYANA FOR CHILDREN –CHAPTER 57

                                                                           TRISANKU

Visvamitra took his defeat badly. He went with his wife to the South. He performed stern Tapas there. Wild roots and fruits were his only food. His rebellious senses were well under restraint. Several sons were born to him. Havishyanda, Madhushyanda and Dridhanetra were among the sons. They were righteous and of straight speech.

A thousand years passed. And at the end of it, Brahma stood before him. He said, “O son of Gadhi! Your Tapas has won for you the bright regions of Rajarshi.” Then he went back to his world.

But Visvamitra was not satisfied. He was not satisfied with being a Rajarishi. So he resumed his Tapas. It was at about this time Trisanku ruled Ayodhya. He was a man of truthful speech. He wished to perform a sacrifice and win a place in the mansions of the Blessed. He wanted to go there in the very body he had on earth. He called Vasishtha. Vasishtha was the high-priest of the Ikshvakus. Trisanku humbly submitted his prayer to him.

Vasishtha said that though such a thing was possible, he would not perform the rite. For, he had looked into the three records of Trisanku’s past. It was not conducive to perform the rite. So desist from such rash resolve.” Vasishtha was stern in his resolve.

Trisanku was foiled in his dearest wish. So he went to the South. There numerous sons of Vasishtha were engaged in Tapas. They were shining with radiant but latent energy. Thus a glorious sight they presented. Trisanku approached them in humble guise. He laid his head at their holy feet. He stood up and bent low over his joined palms. “I take refuge in you. You are the last refuge of the hopeless. I prayed humbly to Vasishtha. But he has refused me what I asked for. I long for going to the world of the Blessed with my body. I pray you to perform for me a sacrifice. Bless me out of your noble hearts. And please assist in this sacrifice. Since my Master has refused me, I come to his radiant sons. I know that for the Ikshvakus the High-priest is their God. The High-priest is the Fountain of Power and Wisdom. And as such he is the shield and spear of the Kings. And after them you stand, the holy Brahmanas. You are my Guardian Angels.”