RAMAYANA FOR CHILDREN, CHAPTER 60

                                                RAMAYANA FOR CHILDREN –CHAPTER 60

Thus Visvamitra annihilated Mahodaya and the sons of Vasishtha with the power of his Tapas. He then addressed the assembled sages. “See this scion of the royal race of Ikshvaku. His name is Trisanku. He is a righteous king. He is a great giver of gifts. Above all, he has sought refuge in me. He has a great desire. It relates to the ascending to the world of the Gods in his body of flesh. For his yearnings to be fulfilled, you and I will conduct a sacrifice.”

The sages heard him out and discussed among themselves. “Visvamitra is very angry. We must do even as he says. Otherwise, he will certainly consume us with his curses. We should not do anything that would make him angry with us. Now let us start the sacrifice without losing time. Let us lift Trisanku in his body to the world of the Gods with the might of Visvamitra.”

And thus the long-delayed sacrifice started. Visvamitra himself assumed the responsible post of the Adhvaru. His brother sages went about their duties without a fault. Then, in due course, Visvamitra called upon the Shining Ones to come down to the sacrifice. He asked them to receive their shares of the offerings. He called three times. But the Shining Ones did not come. They said, “What kind of sacrifice is this? An unqualified kshatria sacrifices for a wretch. He has been cursed to be a foul Chandala. We shall not respond to the call. We don’t want to defile us for all the time by partaking of the offerings.”

A storm of wrath shook the frame of Visvamitra. He raised the sacrificial ladle. In a terrible voice, he cried, “Trisanku! my son I shall do this sacrifice. See what my hard-earned Tapas can do. I shall raise you to the skies our of my energy. In your very body, you will be raised to the haughty Gods’ place. It is not an easy task for others. By the force of my austerities, Trisanku, ascend to the bright homes of the Angels of Light.”

No sooner were the words uttered, than the sages had a wonderful sight. Trisanku rose aloft from this dull Earth right up towards the radiant worlds.  He ascended to the worlds of the Celestials in his dark form of the Chandala.

But Indira, the Lord of the Heaven saw him. “Back, back, Trisanku,” he cried. You have no place here. You are a fool. Don’t you see the black curse is pulling you down? You fall headlong upon the Earth. She groans beneath the weight of your sin. And Trisanku was hurled headlong from the High Heavens. He cried out for help to Visvamitra.

His cry pierced Visvamitra to the heart. He was roused to an ungovernable fury. “Stay where you are, I command you!” Visvamitra cried. And Trisanku stood in mid-air petrified. Then Visvamitra sat in the midst of his fellow sages. He proceeded to form a new creation like a Brahma. “My Trisanku shall be the Pole-star of my new system. Another constellation of the Seven Rishis (Ursa Major) shall evolve around him. And beyond these another circle of lunar asterisms,” he spoke. And in the South there rose a grand system of worlds. It was the counterpart of that in the North. But Visvamitra’s rage did not stop there. “My new world would have another Indra” he continued. And then he stopped to think. “No, no. I hate the very word, Indra. My sone Trisanku shall be its Lord. He will outshine that wretch, Indra who disobeyed my words.” And immediately he set about to fashion another creation of the Celestial Hierarchies.

Mighty fear seized the hearts of the Gods, Asuras and the sages. They were bewildered at this display of awful power. It was almost divine. They approached the sage with humble entreaties. They wondered how to charm his wounded pride. “Mighty One! This king is not entitled to a place among us. Our worlds are for such Twice-born who are pure. Trisanku is holy. No doubt about that. but he lives under the curse of his Guru. Vasishtha is all powerful. And who knows it better than you?”

Now Visvamitra’s heart was pacified. He was glad. The proud Gods were at his feet! But his iron will would not yield. “Peace be unto you!” he cried. This was his only conciliation. My word has passed to Trisanku that he shall ascend to your place in his body. And it shall never prove otherwise. Since you would not accept him, I have no other go than creating my own system. There shall be a world of Gods where Trisanku is. I will create stars and constellations. Also, the orders of Heavenly Powers shall continue to exist until the day of Great Dissolution.”

The Gods were foiled by the terrible power of Visvamitra. They gave in with a good grace. All your creation of a new system will be there outside the Vaisvanara path (the Zodiac). Trishanku shall be as happy and shining as the Gods. But he shall hang headlong. It shall be the reminder of his having transgressed his Guru’s words. In other respects, he will be remembered on Earth as a mighty king.

“Be it so” Visvamitra gave glad assent. The Gods and the assembled sages lauded Visvamitra to the skies. He was known for his superhuman power. The sacrifice was completed. Visvamitra placed another person in the place of Trisanku. And this time the Gods came to obtain the due share of the offerings!