Bala Kanda · Sarga 60 of 77 · 34 verses
Trishanku’s Heaven
Knowing that Vasishtha’s sons and Mahodaya have been struck down by his austerity, Vishvamitra asks the sages to perform the sacrifice that will send Trishanku to heaven in his body. Afraid of his anger, they agree, and Vishvamitra becomes the officiating priest. But when he invokes the gods to take their shares, none come.
In fury, raising the sacrificial ladle, Vishvamitra tells Trishanku: “See the power of austerity I have earned. I send you to heaven in your body by my own power.” Trishanku rises to heaven before the sages’ eyes. But Indra and the gods say: “Trishanku, go back; you have no home in heaven. Struck by your teacher’s curse, fool, fall head first to the earth.” Trishanku falls, crying “Save me!” to Vishvamitra. “Stop! Stop!” the sage commands, and like a second Prajapati he begins to create, in the southern sky, a new set of seven sages and new constellations, and threatens to create another Indra, or leave the world without one. He even begins to create new gods.
Alarmed, the gods and sages plead: the king is struck by his teacher’s curse and does not deserve heaven in his body. Vishvamitra answers: “I promised him the ascent and cannot make my word false. Let Trishanku have an eternal heaven in his body, and let all my stars stand as long as the worlds last.” The gods agree: the stars will stand outside the path of the sun, and Trishanku will stay among them, head downward, shining like an immortal. The gods and sages leave as the sacrifice ends.
Press › to begin with verse 1.
तपोबलहतान् ज्ञात्वा वासिष्ठान् समहोदयान् । ऋषिमध्ये महातेजा विश्वामित्रोऽभ्यभाषत ॥ १ ॥
Knowing that the sons of Vasishtha with Mahodaya had been struck down by the power of his austerity, the radiant Vishvamitra said in the midst of the sages:
यह जानकर कि महोदय सहित वसिष्ठ के पुत्र उनके तप के बल से मारे गए हैं, तेजस्वी विश्वामित्र ने मुनियों के बीच कहा:
Commentary on the whole sarga
Trishanku’s Heaven 1 min read.
Read the commentary CommentaryNot scripture Vishvamitra knows his curse has taken effect. He turns to the gathered sages. The story moves quickly toward its astonishing climax.
Scene 1 of 2 · By the power of Vishvamitra’s austerity alone, King Trishanku rises bodily toward heaven as the sages watch.
अयमिक्ष्वाकुदायादस्त्रिशङ्कुरिति विश्रुतः । धर्मिष्ठश्च वदान्यश्च मां चैव शरणं गतः ॥ २ ॥
“This descendant of Ikshvaku, known as Trishanku, most righteous and generous, has come to me for refuge.
“त्रिशंकु नाम से प्रसिद्ध यह इक्ष्वाकु-वंशी, अत्यंत धर्मात्मा और उदार, मेरी शरण में आया है।
CommentaryNot scripture “Most righteous and generous, he has come to me for refuge.” Vishvamitra defends Trishanku’s character. Refuge, once given, is a sacred duty.
Scene 1 of 2 · By the power of Vishvamitra’s austerity alone, King Trishanku rises bodily toward heaven as the sages watch.
स्वेनानेन शरीरेण देवलोकजिगीषया । यथायं स्वशरीरेण देवलोकं गमिष्यति ॥ ३ ॥
तथा प्रवर्त्यतां यज्ञो भवद्भिश्च मया सह । विश्वामित्रवचः श्रुत्वा सर्व एव महर्षयः ॥ ४ ॥
“He wishes to win the world of the gods in this very body of his. So that he may go to the world of the gods in his own body, let the sacrifice be performed by you together with me.” Hearing Vishvamitra’s words, all the great sages,
“यह अपने इसी शरीर से देवलोक जीतना चाहता है। ताकि यह अपने शरीर सहित देवलोक जा सके, आप सब मेरे साथ मिलकर यज्ञ कीजिए।” विश्वामित्र के वचन सुनकर सब महर्षि,
CommentaryNot scripture “Let the sacrifice be performed by you with me.” He asks the sages to join him in the impossible rite.
Scene 1 of 2 · By the power of Vishvamitra’s austerity alone, King Trishanku rises bodily toward heaven as the sages watch.
ऊचुः समेताः सहसा धर्मज्ञा धर्मसंहितम् । अयं कुशिकदायादो मुनिः परमकोपनः ॥ ५ ॥
यदाह वचनं सम्यगेतत् कार्यं न संशयः । अग्निकल्पो हि भगवान् शापं दास्यति रोषतः ॥ ६ ॥
knowers of dharma, assembled, at once said these words full of dharma: “This sage, descendant of Kushika, is very quick to anger. What he says must certainly be done; there is no doubt. The blessed one is like fire; in his anger he will give a curse.
धर्म के ज्ञाता, इकट्ठे होकर तुरंत ये धर्ममय वचन बोले: “कुशिक-वंशी ये मुनि बहुत जल्दी क्रोध करते हैं। ये जो कहते हैं, वह निश्चय ही करना चाहिए; इसमें संदेह नहीं। भगवान अग्नि जैसे हैं; क्रोध में वे शाप दे देंगे।
CommentaryNot scripture The sages agree, but notice why: “He is very quick to anger; he will give a curse.” They comply out of fear, not conviction. Valmiki is frank about the limits of Vishvamitra’s holiness at this stage.
Scene 1 of 2 · By the power of Vishvamitra’s austerity alone, King Trishanku rises bodily toward heaven as the sages watch.
तस्मात् प्रवर्त्यतां यज्ञः सशरीरो यथा दिवि । गच्छेदिक्ष्वाकुदायादो विश्वामित्रस्य तेजसा ॥ ७ ॥
ततः प्रवर्त्यतां यज्ञः सर्वे समधितिष्ठत । एवमुक्त्वा महर्षयः संजह्रुस्ताः क्रियास्तदा ॥ ८ ॥
“So let the sacrifice be performed, so that the descendant of Ikshvaku may go to heaven in his body by the power of Vishvamitra. Let the sacrifice begin; all of you, take your places.” Having said this, the great sages then carried out the rites,
“इसलिए यज्ञ किया जाए, ताकि विश्वामित्र के प्रभाव से इक्ष्वाकु-वंशी अपने शरीर सहित स्वर्ग जा सके। यज्ञ आरंभ हो; आप सब अपने स्थान लीजिए।” यह कहकर महर्षियों ने तब कर्म किए,
CommentaryNot scripture “Let the rite begin.” They take their places.
Scene 1 of 2 · By the power of Vishvamitra’s austerity alone, King Trishanku rises bodily toward heaven as the sages watch.
याजकश्च महातेजा विश्वामित्रोऽभवत् क्रतौ । ऋत्विजश्चानुपूर्व्येण मन्त्रवन्मन्त्रकोविदाः ॥ ९ ॥
चक्रुः सर्वाणि कर्माणि यथाकल्पं यथाविधि । ततः कालेन महता विश्वामित्रो महातपाः ॥ १० ॥
and the radiant Vishvamitra became the officiating priest at the sacrifice. The priests, skilled in mantras, performed all the rites in order with mantras, as prescribed and by the rule. Then, after a long time, the great ascetic Vishvamitra
और तेजस्वी विश्वामित्र यज्ञ में याजक (प्रधान पुरोहित) बने। मंत्रों में कुशल ऋत्विजों ने विधि और नियम के अनुसार मंत्रों के साथ क्रम से सब कर्म किए। फिर बहुत समय बाद महातपस्वी विश्वामित्र ने
CommentaryNot scripture Vishvamitra himself is the chief priest. A kshatriya-born sage officiating, the very thing Vasishtha’s sons objected to.
Scene 1 of 2 · By the power of Vishvamitra’s austerity alone, King Trishanku rises bodily toward heaven as the sages watch.
चकारावाहनं तत्र भागार्थं सर्वदेवताः । नाभ्यागमंस्तदा तत्र भागार्थं सर्वदेवताः ॥ ११ ॥
performed the invocation there of all the gods for their shares. But none of the gods came there for their shares.
वहाँ सब देवताओं का उनके भाग के लिए आवाहन किया। पर कोई भी देवता अपने भाग के लिए वहाँ नहीं आया।
CommentaryNot scripture He invokes the gods for their shares, and none come. Heaven refuses the rite. This is a public humiliation.
Scene 1 of 2 · By the power of Vishvamitra’s austerity alone, King Trishanku rises bodily toward heaven as the sages watch.
ततः कोपसमाविष्टो विश्वामित्रो महामुनिः । स्रुवमुद्यम्य सक्रोधस्त्रिशङ्कुमिदमब्रवीत् ॥ १२ ॥
Then the great sage Vishvamitra, filled with anger, raising the ladle in fury, said to Trishanku:
तब क्रोध से भरे महामुनि विश्वामित्र ने रोष में स्रुवा उठाकर त्रिशंकु से कहा:
CommentaryNot scripture Raising the sacrificial ladle in fury, Vishvamitra speaks to Trishanku.
Scene 1 of 2 · By the power of Vishvamitra’s austerity alone, King Trishanku rises bodily toward heaven as the sages watch.
पश्य मे तपसो वीर्यं स्वार्जितस्य नरेश्वर । एष त्वां स्वशरीरेण नयामि स्वर्गमोजसा ॥ १३ ॥
“See the power of the austerity I have earned myself, lord of men. I lead you to heaven in your own body by my might.
“मनुष्यों के स्वामी, मेरे अपने कमाए तप की शक्ति देखो। मैं अपने बल से तुम्हें तुम्हारे शरीर सहित स्वर्ग ले जाता हूँ।
CommentaryNot scripture “See the power of the austerity I have earned myself.” Notice the stress on my own (sva-arjita ). He will do it without the gods.
Scene 1 of 2 · By the power of Vishvamitra’s austerity alone, King Trishanku rises bodily toward heaven as the sages watch.
दुष्प्रापं स्वशरीरेण स्वर्गं गच्छ नरेश्वर । स्वार्जितं किंचिदप्यस्ति मया हि तपसः फलम् ॥ १४ ॥
“Go to heaven, so hard to reach in one’s own body, lord of men. For I have at least some fruit of austerity earned by myself.
“मनुष्यों के स्वामी, अपने शरीर से पहुँचने में इतने कठिन स्वर्ग को जाओ। क्योंकि मेरे पास अपने कमाए तप का कुछ तो फल है।
CommentaryNot scripture “I have at least some fruit of my austerity.” A note of wounded pride: after a thousand years of austerity and being called only a royal sage, he will prove himself.
Scene 1 of 2 · By the power of Vishvamitra’s austerity alone, King Trishanku rises bodily toward heaven as the sages watch.
राजंस्त्वं तेजसा तस्य सशरीरो दिवं व्रज । उक्तवाक्ये मुनौ तस्मिन् सशरीरो नरेश्वरः ॥ १५ ॥
दिवं जगाम काकुत्स्थ मुनीनां पश्यतां तदा । स्वर्गलोकं गतं दृष्ट्वा त्रिशङ्कुं पाकशासनः ॥ १६ ॥
“King, by its power go to heaven in your body.” When the sage had spoken, the lord of men went to heaven in his body, Kakutstha, as the sages watched. Seeing Trishanku gone to the world of heaven, the chastiser of Paka
“राजन, उसके बल से अपने शरीर सहित स्वर्ग जाओ।” मुनि के ऐसा कहते ही मनुष्यों के स्वामी, काकुत्स्थ, मुनियों के देखते-देखते अपने शरीर सहित स्वर्ग चले गए। त्रिशंकु को स्वर्गलोक गया देखकर पाकशासन (इंद्र) ने
CommentaryNot scripture And Trishanku rises to heaven in his own body, as the sages watch. Vishvamitra’s power is real. Then Indra sees him.
Scene 1 of 2 · By the power of Vishvamitra’s austerity alone, King Trishanku rises bodily toward heaven as the sages watch.
सह सर्वैः सुरगणैरिदं वचनमब्रवीत् । त्रिशङ्को गच्छ भूयस्त्वं नासि स्वर्गकृतालयः ॥ १७ ॥
with all the hosts of gods said: “Trishanku, go back again; you have no dwelling made in heaven.
सब देवताओं के समूहों के साथ कहा: “त्रिशंकु, फिर लौट जाओ; स्वर्ग में तुम्हारे लिए कोई निवास नहीं बना है।
CommentaryNot scripture “Go back; there is no place for you in heaven.” Heaven has rules, and Indra enforces them.
Scene 2 of 2 · Thrown down by Indra, Trishanku is halted in mid-air; Vishvamitra creates new stars and a heaven around him.
गुरुशापहतो मूढ पत भूमिमवाक्शिराः । एवमुक्तो महेन्द्रेण त्रिशङ्कुरपतत् पुनः ॥ १८ ॥
“Struck by your teacher’s curse, fool, fall head first to the earth.” So addressed by great Indra, Trishanku fell again,
“मूर्ख, गुरु के शाप से आहत, सिर के बल पृथ्वी पर गिरो।” महेंद्र के ऐसा कहने पर त्रिशंकु फिर गिरा,
CommentaryNot scripture “Fall head first to the earth.” The gods throw Trishanku down.
Scene 2 of 2 · Thrown down by Indra, Trishanku is halted in mid-air; Vishvamitra creates new stars and a heaven around him.
विक्रोशमानस्त्राहीति विश्वामित्रं तपोधनम् । तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं तस्य क्रोशमानस्य कौशिकः ॥ १९ ॥
रोषमाहारयत् तीव्रं तिष्ठ तिष्ठेति चाब्रवीत् । ऋषिमध्ये स तेजस्वी प्रजापतिरिवापरः ॥ २० ॥
crying “Save me!” to Vishvamitra, rich in austerity. Hearing the words of the one crying out, Kaushika took on a fierce anger and said, “Stop! Stop!” In the midst of the sages, that radiant one, like a second Prajapati,
तप के धनी विश्वामित्र से “बचाइए!” चिल्लाते हुए। पुकारते हुए के वचन सुनकर कौशिक ने उग्र क्रोध धारण किया और कहा, “ठहरो! ठहरो!” मुनियों के बीच दूसरे प्रजापति जैसे उस तेजस्वी ने
CommentaryNot scripture He falls, crying “Save me!” Vishvamitra shouts “Stop! Stop!” and Trishanku halts in mid-air. The sage acts “like a second Prajapati”, a second creator.
Scene 2 of 2 · Thrown down by Indra, Trishanku is halted in mid-air; Vishvamitra creates new stars and a heaven around him.
सृजन् दक्षिणमार्गस्थान् सप्तर्षीनपरान् पुनः । नक्षत्रवंशमपरमसृजत् क्रोधमूर्च्छितः ॥ २१ ॥
created again another seven sages standing in the southern path, and, maddened with anger, created another line of constellations.
दक्षिण मार्ग में स्थित और सात ऋषि (सप्तर्षि) रच दिए, और क्रोध से उन्मत्त होकर नक्षत्रों की एक और पंक्ति रच दी।
CommentaryNot scripture In his fury he creates a new set of seven sages (a new Great Bear) and a new line of stars in the southern sky. The rivalry with Vasishtha has turned cosmic: Vishvamitra is making a rival heaven.
Scene 2 of 2 · Thrown down by Indra, Trishanku is halted in mid-air; Vishvamitra creates new stars and a heaven around him.
दक्षिणां दिशमास्थाय ऋषिमध्ये महायशाः । सृष्ट्वा नक्षत्रवंशं च क्रोधेन कलुषीकृतः ॥ २२ ॥
अन्यमिन्द्रं करिष्यामि लोको वा स्यादनिन्द्रकः । दैवतान्यपि स क्रोधात् स्रष्टुं समुपचक्रमे ॥ २३ ॥
In the southern direction, in the midst of the sages, the greatly renowned one, darkened by anger, having created the line of constellations, said: “I will make another Indra, or let the world be without Indra!” And in his anger he began to create gods as well.
दक्षिण दिशा में, मुनियों के बीच, क्रोध से कलुषित उस महायशस्वी ने नक्षत्रों की पंक्ति रचकर कहा: “मैं दूसरा इंद्र बनाऊँगा, या संसार इंद्र से रहित हो जाए!” और क्रोध में वे देवताओं को भी रचने लगे।
CommentaryNot scripture “I will make another Indra, or the world will be without one!” He begins to create gods. Anger has made him reckless with creation itself.
Scene 2 of 2 · Thrown down by Indra, Trishanku is halted in mid-air; Vishvamitra creates new stars and a heaven around him.
ततः परमसम्भ्रान्ताः सर्षिसङ्घाः सुरासुराः । विश्वामित्रं महात्मानमूचुः सानुनयं वचः ॥ २४ ॥
Then the hosts of sages, gods and asuras, greatly alarmed, spoke soothing words to the great-souled Vishvamitra:
तब अत्यंत घबराए हुए ऋषियों, देवताओं और असुरों के समूहों ने महात्मा विश्वामित्र से शांत करने वाले वचन कहे:
CommentaryNot scripture Sages, gods and asuras are alarmed and speak soothing words. The whole cosmos pleads with one angry sage.
Scene 2 of 2 · Thrown down by Indra, Trishanku is halted in mid-air; Vishvamitra creates new stars and a heaven around him.
अयं राजा महाभाग गुरुशापपरिक्षतः । सशरीरो दिवं यातुं नार्हत्येव तपोधन ॥ २५ ॥
“This king, fortunate one, wounded by his teacher’s curse, does not deserve to go to heaven in his body, you who are rich in austerity.”
“भाग्यशाली, तप के धनी, गुरु के शाप से आहत यह राजा अपने शरीर सहित स्वर्ग जाने योग्य नहीं है।”
CommentaryNot scripture “This king is cursed; he cannot go to heaven in his body.” The gods hold to the rule.
Scene 2 of 2 · Thrown down by Indra, Trishanku is halted in mid-air; Vishvamitra creates new stars and a heaven around him.
तेषां तद् वचनं श्रुत्वा देवानां मुनिपुंगवः । अब्रवीत् सुमहद् वाक्यं कौशिकः सर्वदेवताः ॥ २६ ॥
Hearing those words of the gods, the foremost sage Kaushika spoke great words to all the gods:
देवताओं के वे वचन सुनकर मुनिश्रेष्ठ कौशिक ने सब देवताओं से महान वचन कहे:
CommentaryNot scripture Vishvamitra answers with “great words”.
Scene 2 of 2 · Thrown down by Indra, Trishanku is halted in mid-air; Vishvamitra creates new stars and a heaven around him.
सशरीरस्य भद्रं वस्त्रिशङ्कोरस्य भूपतेः । आरोहणं प्रतिज्ञातं नानृतं कर्तुमुत्सहे ॥ २७ ॥
“Bless you; I have promised the ascent of this king Trishanku in his body. I cannot bring myself to make it false.
“आपका कल्याण हो; मैंने इस राजा त्रिशंकु के शरीर सहित ऊपर जाने का वचन दिया है। मैं उसे झूठा नहीं कर सकता।
CommentaryNot scripture “I have promised. I cannot make it false.” Here is the redeeming core of his anger: he is fighting for a promise of refuge. A promise is sacred, even against the gods.
Scene 2 of 2 · Thrown down by Indra, Trishanku is halted in mid-air; Vishvamitra creates new stars and a heaven around him.
स्वर्गोऽस्तु सशरीरस्य त्रिशङ्कोरस्य शाश्वतः । नक्षत्राणि च सर्वाणि मामकानि ध्रुवाण्यथ ॥ २८ ॥
यावल्लोका धरिष्यन्ति तिष्ठन्त्वेतानि सर्वशः । यत् कृतानि सुराः सर्वे तदनुज्ञातुमर्हथ ॥ २९ ॥
“Let there be an eternal heaven for this Trishanku in his body, and let all my stars stand firm, all of them, as long as the worlds endure. All you gods should consent to what I have made.”
“इस त्रिशंकु के लिए शरीर सहित एक सनातन स्वर्ग हो, और मेरे सब नक्षत्र, सबके सब, तब तक स्थिर रहें जब तक लोक रहें। आप सब देवताओं को मेरी रचना स्वीकार करनी चाहिए।”
CommentaryNot scripture “Let there be an eternal heaven for Trishanku, and let my stars stand as long as the worlds last.” He asks the gods to accept what he has made.
Scene 2 of 2 · Thrown down by Indra, Trishanku is halted in mid-air; Vishvamitra creates new stars and a heaven around him.
एवमुक्ताः सुराः सर्वे प्रत्यूचुर्मुनिपुंगवम् । एवं भवतु भद्रं ते तिष्ठन्त्वेतानि सर्वशः ॥ ३० ॥
गगने तान्यनेकानि वैश्वानरपथाद् बहिः । नक्षत्राणि मुनिश्रेष्ठ तेषु ज्योतिःषु जाज्वलन् ॥ ३१ ॥
अवाक्शिरास्त्रिशङ्कुश्च तिष्ठत्वमरसंनिभः । अनुयास्यन्ति चैतानि ज्योतींषि नृपसत्तमम् ॥ ३२ ॥
So addressed, all the gods replied to the foremost sage: “So be it; bless you. Let all these many stars stand in the sky outside the path of the sun, best of sages, and among those lights, blazing, let Trishanku stand head down, like an immortal. And these lights will follow the best of kings,
ऐसा कहे जाने पर सब देवताओं ने मुनिश्रेष्ठ को उत्तर दिया: “ऐसा ही हो; आपका कल्याण हो। ये सब अनेक नक्षत्र आकाश में सूर्य के मार्ग के बाहर रहें, मुनिश्रेष्ठ, और उन ज्योतियों के बीच दमकता हुआ त्रिशंकु अमर की तरह सिर नीचे करके रहे। और ये ज्योतियाँ उस राजश्रेष्ठ का अनुसरण करेंगी,
CommentaryNot scripture The gods agree: the new stars will stay outside the sun’s path, and Trishanku will shine among them, head down, “like an immortal”. In India, “Trishanku’s heaven” (trishanku svarga ) still means being stuck in between, neither here nor there. The stars of the Southern Cross are often identified with him.
Scene 2 of 2 · Thrown down by Indra, Trishanku is halted in mid-air; Vishvamitra creates new stars and a heaven around him.
कृतार्थं कीर्तिमन्तं च स्वर्गलोकगतं यथा । विश्वामित्रस्तु धर्मात्मा सर्वदेवैरभिष्टुतः ॥ ३३ ॥
ऋषिमध्ये महातेजा बाढमित्येव देवताः । ततो देवा महात्मानो ऋषयश्च तपोधनाः । जग्मुर्यथागतं सर्वे यज्ञस्यान्ते नरोत्तम ॥ ३४ ॥
“as one who has achieved his purpose, famous, as if gone to the world of heaven.” The righteous Vishvamitra, praised by all the gods, said in the midst of the sages, “Very well,” to the gods. Then the great-souled gods and the sages rich in austerity all went back as they had come at the end of the sacrifice, best of men.
“जो कृतार्थ, यशस्वी, मानो स्वर्गलोक गया हो।” सब देवताओं से प्रशंसित धर्मात्मा विश्वामित्र ने मुनियों के बीच देवताओं से कहा, “ठीक है।” तब यज्ञ के अंत में महात्मा देवता और तप के धनी मुनि सब जैसे आए थे वैसे ही लौट गए, पुरुषश्रेष्ठ।
CommentaryNot scripture The gods praise Vishvamitra, he agrees, and everyone departs. The sage has made a new heaven for one man. It is a great feat of power, and yet it cost him much of his austerity. His real goal, brahmarshi, is still far away.
Scene 2 of 2 · Thrown down by Indra, Trishanku is halted in mid-air; Vishvamitra creates new stars and a heaven around him.
