Book I : Bala Kanda - The Youthful Majesties

Chapter [Sarga] 60
Verses converted to UTF-8, Oct 09

Introduction

Vishvamitra effectuates Trishanku's travel to heaven, but Indra throws him down as Trishanku has not acquired any merit to reach heaven. Vishvamitra enraged at this starts to replicate universe with constellation of stars and galaxies, and he proceeds to clone even gods. On seeing this chaotic situation, Indra with gods yield to the pertinence of Vishvamitra and allow that which Vishvamitra replicated to survive and also allow Trishanku to inhibit that pseudo Creation, but with an upside down posture.

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tapo bala hataan j~naatvaa vaasiShThaan sa mahodayaan |
R^iShi madhye mahaatejaa vihvaamitro abhyabhaaShata || 1-60-1

1. mahaatejaa = great-resplendent; vihvaamitraH = Vishvamitra; sa mahodayaan vaasiSThaan = with, Mahodaya, Vashishta's sons; tapaH bala hataan j~naatvaa = by ascesis, power, as ruined, on knowing; R^iSi madhye abhyabhaaSata = sages, amidst [their observance,] said [proclaimed.]

"The great-resplendent Vishvamitra on knowing through his ascetic power about the ruination of the sons of Vashishta, along with Mahodaya, proclaimed this amidst the observance of sages." Sage Shataananda continued his narration of Trishanku's legend. [1-60-1]

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ayam ikShvaaku daayaadaH trishaMkuH iti vishrutaH |
dharmiShThaH ca vadaanyaH ca maam caiva sharaNam gataH || 1-60-2
svena anena shariireNa deva loka jigiiShayaa |

2, 3a. ikSvaaku daayaadaH = Ikshvaku-s, legatee of; trishankuH iti vishrutaH = Trishanku, thus, well-known one; dharmiSThaH ca vadaanyaH ca = righteous one, also, benevolent one, also; ayam = he; anena = by him; svena = his own; shariireNa = physical body; deva loka jigiiSayaa = god's, world [heavens,] wishing to win over; maam sharaNam gataH = me, shelter, he obtained.

" 'This legatee of Ikshvaku dynasty is well-know as Trishanku, a righteous and benevolent one. He came under my shelter as he wishes to win over the heaven of gods with his own mortal body.' So Vishvamitra started to speak to sages. [1-60-2, 3b]

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yathaa ayam sva shariireNa deva lokam gamiShyati || 1-60-3
tathaa pravar.htyataam yaj~no bhavadbhiH ca mayaa saha |

3b, 4a. ayam = he Trishnaku; sva shariireNa = with his own, body; deva lokam = to gods', world [to heaven]; yathaa gamiSyati = as to how, he goes; tathaa = in that way; bhavadbhiH = by you all; mayaa saha = me, along with; yaj~naH pravartyataam = Vedic-ritual, is to be effectuated.

" 'You all scholars have to conduct Vedic-ritual along with in such a way as to how Trishnaku reaches the heaven of gods.' Thus Vishvamitra advised the conductors of the ritual. [1-60-3b, 4a]

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vishvaamitra vacaH shrutvaa sarva eva maharShayaH || 1-60-4
uucuH sametaaH sahasaa dharmaj~naa dharma saMhitam |

4b, 5a. dharma j~naa = scruples, knowers of; sametaaH = came together; sarva eva maharSayaH = all, thus, great sages; vishvaamitra vacaH shrutvaa = Vishvamitra's, words, on listening; sahasaa = quickly; dharma samhitam = to righteousness, agreeable - words; uucuH = spoke - discussed among themselves.

"On listening the words of Vishvamitra all those great-sages have come together and quickly discussed among themselves about what is agreeable to righteousness, as they are the knowers of scruples of conducting Vedic-rituals, but such a ritual is desultory. [1-60-4b, 5a]

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ayam kushika daayaado muniH parama kopanaH || 1-60-5
yat aaha vacanam saMyak etat kaaryam na saMshayaH |
agni kalpo hi bhagavaan shaapam daasyati roShitaH || 1-60-6

5b, 6. kushika daayaadaH = Sage Kushi's, legatee; parama kopanaH = extremely, furious one; ayam muniH = this, saint - Vishvamitra; yat vacanam aaha = which, sentence, he said - whatever is said by him; etat samyak kaaryam = all this [entirely,] exhaustively, performable [translatable into deeds of ritual]; na samshayaH = without, doubting; if not; agni kalpaH = fire, similar one - Vishvamitra; bhagavaan = godly [reverential, awesome sage]; roSitaH shaapam daasyati = rancorously, curse, he will give.

" 'Whatever Vishvamitra says let it be translated entirely and exhaustively into deeds called ritual. This Vishvamitra is the legatee of Sage Kushi, and indeed he is a saint similar to Ritual-fire besides being an extremely furious person. Otherwise this awesome sage gives curse, rancorously. [1-60-5b, 6]

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tasmaat pravartyataam yaj~naH sa shariiro yathaa divam |
gacChet ikShvaaku daayaado vishvaamitrasya tejasaa || 1-60-7
tataH pravartyataam yaj~naH sarve samadhitiShThata |

7, 8a. tasmaat yaj~naH pravartyataam = as such, Vedic-ritual, be conducted; ikSvaaku daayaadaH = Ikshvaku's, legatee [Trishanku]; vishvaamitrasya tejasaa = by Vishvamitra's, ritualistic prowess; sa shariiraH = with, body; yathaa divam gacChet = as to how [intending to,] to heavens, goes [enabling to go]; [tathaa = like that]; yaj~naH pravartyataam = Vedic-ritual, let it be conducted; tataH sarve sam adhitiSThata = therefor, all, well, preside over.

" 'As such, let the Vedic-ritual be conducted intending and enabling Trishanku, the legatee of Ikshvaku, to go to heaven by the ritualist prowess of Vishvamitra, therefor you conduct yourselves and you all preside over it.' Thus, the officiators conceded among themselves. [1-60-7, 8a]

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evam uktvaa maharShayaH saMjahruH taaH kriyaaH tadaa || 1-60-8
yaajakaH ca mahaatejaa vishvaamitro abhavat kratau |

8b, 9a. maharSayaH evam uktvaa = great-sages, thus, on saying [on concluding]; tadaa = then; taaH kriyaaH samjahruH = those [concerned,] works, they undertook; kratau mahaatejaa vishvaamitraH = in Vedic-ritual, great-resplendent, Vishvamitra [himself]; yaajakaH abhavat = [principal] officiator, became.

"Concluding thus those great-sages undertook concerned works of that Vedic-ritual and the great-resplendent Vishvamitra himself became its principal officiator. [1-60-8b, 9a]

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R^itvijaH ca aanupuurvyeNa maMtravat maMtra kovidaaH || 1-60-9
cakruH sa.rvaaNi ka.rmaaNi yathaa kalpam yathaa vidhi |

9b, 10a. mantra kovidaaH = in hymnology, experts; R^itvijaH ca = hymnodists, also; mantravat = inviolably hymnal; yathaa kalpam = as per, Kalpa treatise; yathaa vidhi = as per, scriptures - scripturally; sarvaaNi karmaaNi aanupuurvyeNa cakruH = all, ceremonies, methodically; carried out.

"Those hymnodists who are the experts in hymnodies have scripturally carried out all ceremonies in a methodical way with inviolable hymnal methods, and as per Kalpa treatise, that lays down the rules for conducting such rituals. [1-60-9b, 10a]

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tataH kaalena mahataa vishvaamitro mahaatapaaH || 1-60-10
cakaara aavaahanam tatra bhaaga artham sarva devataaH |

10b, 11a. tataH = then; mahaatapaaH vishvaamitraH = great ascetic, Vishvamitra; mahataa kaalena = after a long, time; tatra = there [in ritual]; sarva devataaH = all, gods; bhaaga artham = allotted [oblations,] for purpose of [receiving]; aavaahanam cakaara = welcome, made.

"After a long time that highly ascetical Vishvamitra welcomed all the gods to receive their allotted oblations in that ritual. [1-60-10b, 11a]

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na abhyaagaman tadaa bhaaga artham sarva devataaH || 1-60-11
tataH kopa samaaviShTo vishvamitro mahaamuniH |
sruvam udyaMya sa krodhaH trishaMkum idam abraviit || 1-60-12

11b, 12. tadaa = then; [aahuutaaH = those that are invited]; sarva devataaH = all, gods; bhaaga artham = allotment, for purpose of [receiving]; na abhyaagaman = not, came forward; tataH kopa samaaviSTaH = then, fury, enveloped in [obsessive with]; vishvamitraH mahaamuniH = Vishvamitra, great-saint; sruvam = wooden-oblational-scoop; udyamya = , on lifting up - brandishing as if it is a magic wand; sa krodhaH = with, fury; trishankum idam abraviit = to Trishanku, this, said.

"Then all of the gods who are invited to partake of the oblation have not come forward to receive their allotments, and then the great-saint Vishvamitra, obsessive with fury, furiously lifted up a wooden-oblational-scoop, and said this to Trishanku. [1-60-11b, 12]

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pashya me tapaso viiryam sva aarjitasya nara iishvara |
eSha tvaam sva shariireNa nayaami svargam ojasaa || 1-60-13
duSh.hpraapam sva shariireNa divam gacCha nara adhipa |

13, 14a. nara iishvara = oh, people, ruler of - Trishanku; sva aarjitasya = personally, achieved; me tapasaH viiryam = my, ascesis', potency; pashya = you see [now]; eSaH = this me; ojasaa = with mettle [of mine]; tvaam sva shariireNa = you, with own, mortal body; svargam nayaami = to heaven, I will lead forth; nara adhipa = oh, people's, king; duS praapam divam = not, attainable, heaven; sva shariireNa gacCha = with own, mortal body, you go.

" 'Oh, ruler of people, now you shall see the potency of my ascesis which I personally achieved. Such as I am I shall lead you forth to haven with your own body just by my personal capability. Oh, king of people, now you will go to heaven with your own mortal body, which is otherwise unattainable. [1-60-13, 14a]

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svaarjitam kiMcit api asti mayaa hi tapasaH phalam || 1-60-14
raajan tvam tejasaa tasya sa shariiro divam vraja |

14b, 15a. raajan = oh, king; maya = by me; sva arjitam = personally, acquired; tapasaH phalam = ascesis', fruit; kimcit api = [may it be] a little, even; asti hi = is there, isn't it; tasya = by that [fruit of my ascesis]; tejasaa = by that prowess [of ascesis]; tvam = you; sa shariiraH divam vraja = with own, body, to heaven, you journey.

" 'May it be a little, but there is some fruit of my ascesis, isn't it! Oh, king, you will journey to heaven with your own body owing to that prowess of my ascesis.' Vishvamitra said so to Trishanku. [1-60-14b, 15a]

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ukta vaakye munau tasmin sa shariiro nara iishvaraH || 1-60-15
divam jagaama kaakutstha muniinaam pashyataam tadaa |

15b, 16b. kaakutstha = oh, Rama of Kakutstha; tasmin munau = that, saint; ukta vaakye = when he said so; nara iishvaraH = people's, ruler [Trishanku]; sa shariiraH = with, mortal body; tadaa = then; muniinaam pashyataam = by [other] sages, while being seen; divam jagaama = to heaven, travelled [soared to.]

"Once the sage Vishvamitra said those words, oh, Rama of Kakutstha, that king Trishanku soared to heaven with his mortal body, before the very eyes of other sages." Sage Shataananda continued. [1-60-15b, 16a]

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svarga lokam gatam dR^iShTvaa trishaMkum paaka shaasanaH || 1-60-16
saha sarvaiH sura gaNaiH idam vacanam abraviit |

16b, 17a. svarga lokam gatam = heaven, realm of, he who has entered; trishankum dR^iSTvaa = at Trishanku, on seeing; sarvaiH sura gaNaiH saha = all, gods, multitudes, together with; paaka shaasanaH = demon Paaka, subjugator of [Indra]; idam vacanam abraviit = this, sentence, said.

"On seeing Trishanku's entry into the realm of heaven, Indra, the subjugator of demon Paaka, spoke this sentence together with all the multitudes of gods. [1-60-16b, 17a]

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trishaMko gacCha bhuuyaH tvam na asi svarga kR^ita aalayaH || 1-60-17
guru shaapa hato muuDha pata bhuumim avaag shiraaH |

17b, 18a. trishanko = oh, Trishanku; svarga kR^ita aalayaH = heaven, [you have not yet made, [your] haunt; na asi = not, you are; tvam bhuuyaH gacCha = you, again, go [retrace your steps]; guru shaapa hataH = by [your] mentor [Vashishta's,] damning, thrashed by; muuDha = you inane [human]; avaakcChiraaH = avaa~N shiraaH = with down turned, head [head inversed]; bhuumim pata = on earth, you fall down.

" 'Oh, Trishanku, you have not yet made heaven as your haunt, hence retrace your steps. As you are thrashed by the damning of your mentor Vashishta, you inane human, again fall down on earth, but with your head inversed. [1-60-17b, 18a]

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evam ukto mahendreNa trishaMkuH apatat punaH || 1-60-18
vikroshamaanaH traahi iti vishvaamitram tapo dhanam |

18b, 19a. mahendreNa evam uktaH trishankuH = by Mahendra, thus, said, Trishanku; traahi iti = save me, thus; tapaH dhanam = whose ascesis, is his wealth; vishvaamitram = at Vishvamitra; vi kroshamaanaH = loudly, exclaiming; punaH apatat = again, came back - fell down from sky.

"When Mahendra said so, Trishanku loudly exclaiming at the ascetically wealthy Vishvamitra saying, 'save me, save me,' and fell down from heaven. [1-60-18b, 19a]

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tat shrutvaa vacanam tasya kroshamaanasya kaushikaH || 1-60-19
roSham aahaarayat tiivram tiShTha tiShTha iti ca abraviit |

19b, 20a. kaushikaH = Kaushika - Vishvamitra; krosha maanasya = who is shouting [loudly]; tasya tat vacanam shrutvaa = his [Trishanku's,] that, [exclamatory] sentence, on hearing; tiivram roSam aahaarayat = abnormal, anger, assumed; tiSTha tiSTha iti = wait, wait, thus; abraviit ca = said, also.

"On hearing the exclamatory sentence of Trishanku who is shouting it loudly, Vishvamitra assumed an abnormal anger and also said, 'wait... wait...' [1-60-19b, 20a]

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R^iShi madhye sa tejasvii prajaapatiH iva aparaH || 1-60-20
sR^ijan dakShiNa maargasthaan sapta R^iShiin aparaan punaH |
nakShatra vaMsha paraMparam asR^ijat krodha muurChitaH || 1-60-21
dakShiNaam disham aasthaaya muni madhye mahaayashaaH |

20b, 21, 22a. R^iSi madhye = sages, among [himself staying]; saH tejasvii = he, the resplendent Vishvamitra; aparaH prajaapatiH iva = the other, Creator, as with; dakSiNa maargasthaan = which is available - in southerly, direction; aparaan = another; sapta R^iSiin = Seven, Sages [Great Bear, Southerly Ursa Major]; sR^ijan = on creating [replicating]; krodha muurChitaH = who in anger, convulsed - angrily - Vishvamitra; dakSiNaam disham aasthaaya = southern, direction, resorting to; mahaayashaaH = highly reputed one, Vishvamitra;' muni madhye = saints, amid [himself staying]; punaH nakSatra vamsha paramparam = further, stars', families' [stereotyped stocks,] sequence; asR^ijat = [started] to replicate.

"Like the other Creator that resplendent Vishvamitra, himself staying among sages, has replicated Southerly Ursa Major in southerly direction. And still remaining amidst of sages that highly reputed sage Vishvamitra further started to replicate the stereotyped stocks of stars sequentially, resorting to the southern hemisphere, as he is convulsed in anger at Indra. [1-60-20b, 21, 22a]

Ursa Major is a prominent constellation in the northern sky, containing seven bright stars in a pattern variously called the Plough, the Big Dipper, or Charles's Wain. Also called Great Bear. In Latin it is, Ursa= greater (she-) bear. The Indian name to this is: sapta R^ishi maNDala Hence Vishvamitra adopted the opposite direction, namely southern direction, for his Creation, which shall be in direct opposition to the natural creation adopted by Almighty. From this point onwards, anything artificially or synthetically created, cloned, or replicated from natural item acquired the name of vishvaamitra SR^iSTi 'Vishvamitra's cloning,' including the present day hybrids. Whether this Ursa Major like constellation is still available in southern hemisphere - is a point left to astronomers, or stargazers.

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sR^iShTvaa nakShatra vaMsham ca krodhena kaluShii kR^itaH || 1-60-22
anyam iMdram kariShyaami loko vaa syaat aniMdrakaH |
daivataani api sa krodhaat sraShTum samupacakrame || 1-60-23

22b, 23. nakSatra vamsham ca = stars, families [stereotyped stocks of other galaxies,] also; sR^iSTvaa = having replicated; krodhena kaluSii kR^itaH = fury, blemish, made by [umbrage continued to blemish him]; anyam indram kariSyaami = alternative, Indra, I will make [clone, so he surmised]; lokaH = realm [of my creation]; an indrakaH = without, Indra; vaa syaat = or, it will remain; [saying so he]; daivataani api = gods, even; sa krodhaat sraSTum = with, wrath, to clone; sam upa cakrame = very, nearly, proceeded [about to proceed to clone - gods startled.]

"On replicating the stereotyped stocks of other galaxies and stars, and while fury continued to blemish him Vishvamitra said, 'I will now clone an alternative Indra, or let that realm created by me remain without any Indra,' and when he is about to proceed to clone even gods in his wrath, the gods are startled. [1-60-22b, 23]

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tataH parama saMbhraantaaH sa R^iShi saMghaaH sura asuraaH |
vishvaamitram mahaatmaanam uucuH sa anunayam vacaH || 1-60-24

24. tataH parama sambhraantaaH = then highly, startled; sa R^iSi sanghaaH sura asuraaH = with, hermits, observances, gods, demons; mahaatmaanam vishvaamitram = great-souled one, to Vishvamitra; sa anunayam vacaH = with, placatory, words; uucuH = addressed.

"The gods are highly startled at Vishvamitra's creation, and they along with demons and with observances of hermits addressed the great-souled Vishvamitra with placatory words. [1-60-24]

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ayam raajaa mahaabhaaga guru shaapa parikShataH |
sa shariiro divam yaatum na ar.hhati eva tapo dhana || 1-60-25

25. tapaH dhana = oh, ascetically, wealthy one; mahaabhaaga = oh, great-fortunate Vishvamitra; guru shaapa parikSataH = by mentor's, damnation, fallen [damned]; ayam raajaa = this, king; sa shariiraH divam yaatum = with, mortal body, to heaven, to go; na arhati eva = not, eligible, at all.

" 'Oh great-fortunate Vishvamitra, this king Trishnaku is damned by his mentor, hence oh, ascetically wealthy sage, he is not at all eligible to go to heaven with his mortal body.' So said gods to Vishvamitra. [1-60-25]

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teShaam tat vacanam shrutvaa devaanaam muni puMgavaH |
abraviit su mahat vaakyam kaushikaH sarva devataaH || 1-60-26

26. muni pungavaH kaushikaH = saint, the eminent, Kaushika; teSaam devaanaam = their, gods; tat vacanam shrutvaa = that, sentence, on hearing; sarva devataaH = to all, gods; su mahat vaakyam abraviit = highly, laudable, sentence, spoke.

"On hearing that sentence of those gods, the eminent saint Kaushika spoke this highly laudable sentence to all of the gods. [1-60-26]

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sa shariirasya bhadram vaH trihankoH asya bhuupateH |
aarohaNam pratij~naatam na anR^itam kartum utsahe || 1-60-27

27. vaH bhadram = to you all, let safety be there; sa shariirasya = with, body; asya trihankoH bhuupateH = to him, for Trishanku, the king; aarohaNam pratij~naatam = ascending, on promising; a nR^itam = non, truth; kartum = to make; na utsahe = not, interested.

" 'Let safety betide you all. I have promised to this king Trishanku that he will ascend to heaven with his mortal body, and I am not interested to make it untrue. [1-60-27]

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svargo astu sa shariirasya trishaMkoH asya shaashvataH |
nakShatraaNi ca sar.hvaaNi maamakaani dhruvaaNi atha || 1-60-28
yaavat lokaa dhariShyanti tiShThanti etaani sarvashaH |
yat kR^itaani suraaH sarve tat anuj~naatum arhatha || 1-60-29

28, 29. asya trishankoH = his, to Trishanku; sa shariirasya = along with, mortal body; shaashvataH svargaH astu = eternally, heaven, let it be - let him be in heaven; atha = next; yat [mat] kR^itaani = what [by me,] created [creation]; etaani sarvaaNi = these, all; nakSatraaNi = stars - galaxies; maamakaani sarvashaH = as my [creation,] everywhere - in their places - they shall be there as long as; lokaaH yaavat dhariSyanti = = worlds, as long as, bears [lasts]; till then; dhruvaaNi tiSThanti = firmly, let them be there; suraaH sarve tat anuj~naatum arhatha = gods, all, that, to accede, apt of you.

" 'Let there be eternal heaven to Trishanku with his mortal body. Next, as along as the worlds remain, let all of these stars and galaxies I have created also remain eternally in their places as my creation. It will be apt of you all gods to accede to this.' So said Vishvamitra to gods. [1-60-28, 29]

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evam uktaaH suraaH sarve prati uucuH muni puMgavam |
evam bhavatu bhadram te tiShThantu etaani sarvashaH || 1-60-30
gagane taani anekaani vaishvaanara pathaat bahiH |
nakShatraaNi muni shreShTha teShu jyotiHShu jaajvalan || 1-60-31
avaag shiraaH trishaMkuH ca tiShThatu amara saMnibhaH |

30, 31, 32a. evam uktaaH = thus, addressed - gods; sarve suraaH = all, gods; muni pungavam = to saint, the eminent; prati uucuH = in turn, spoke - replied; evam bhavatu = so, be it; muni shreSTha = oh, sage, the best; te bhadram = to you, let safeness be there; etaani = these; taani = those [amazing stars]; an ekaani = not, one - numerous; nakSatraaNi = stars [you created]; vaishvaanara pathaat = Cosmic Person's, stelliform, than the path of; bahiH = outside; gagane sarvashaH tiSThantu = in firmament, everywhere - in their respective places, let them prevail; teSu jyotiHSu = in them, circle of stars - circular galaxies you created; jaajvalan = while gleaming; trishankuH ca = Trishanku, also; amara sannibhaH = celestial being, similar in shine; avaa~N shiraaH = downward, with head - in inverted position; tiSThatu = will remain.

"When all the gods are addressed thus they replied the eminent saint Vishvamitra saying, 'so be it! Safe you be! Let all the created objects prevail in their respective places. Those amazing and numerous stars you have created will remain in firmament, but outside the path of stelliform of Cosmic Person. Trishanku will also remain in the circle of stars you created, but upside-down, for Indra's indict cannot be annulled, and he will be gleaming like a star and similar to any celestial. [1-60-30, 31, 32a]

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anuyaasyanti ca etaani jyotiin.hShi nR^ipa sattamam || 1-60-32
kR^itaartham kiirtimantam ca svarga loka gatam yathaa |

32b, 33a. etaani jyotiinSi ca = all these, stars, also; kR^ita artham = achieved, ends; kiirtimantam ca = acclaimed one, also - with your tour de force; nR^ipa sattamam = king, the best; svarga loka gatam yathaa = to heavenly, worlds, gone, as with - someone; anuyaasyanti = they will follow him - circumambulate Trishanku.

" 'According to their wont to circumambulate someone who has gone to heavenly worlds, all the stars will suppliantly circumambulate this best king Trishanku, who has achieved his ends and who has become an acclaimed one with your tour de force.' So said gods to Vishvamitra in deterring his further cloning of a simulative Universe. [1-60-32b, 33a]

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vishvaamitraH tu dharmaatmaa sarva devaiH abhiShTutaH || 1-60-33
R^iShi madhye mahaatejaa baaDham iti aaha devataaH |

33b, 34a. sarva devaiH = by all, gods; abhiSTutaH = reverenced; mahaatejaa = great-resplendent sage; dharmaatmaa = benign-souled one; vishvaamitraH tu = Vishvamitra, on his part; R^iSi madhye = sages, from among; devataaH = to gods; baaDham = Agreed!; iti aaha = thus, said.

"Even the benign-souled Vishvamitra, when reverenced by all gods, that great-resplendent sage without stirring himself from among the sages said to all gods, 'Agreed!' [1-60-33]

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tato devaa mahaatmaano R^iShayaH ca tapo dhanaaH |
jagmuH yathaa aagatam sarve yaj~nasya ante narottama || 1-60-34

34b,c. nara uttama = among men, best one - oh, Rama; tataH = later; yaj~nasya ante = Vedic-ritual, at the end of; mahaatmaanaH devaa = great-souled, gods; tapaH dhanaaH R^iSayaH ca = ascetically, wealthy, sages, also; sarve yathaa aagatam jagmuH = all, as, they have come, went away.

"Oh, best one among men Rama, later at the end of that ritual great-souled gods and ascetically wealthy sages went away as they have come. Thus Sage Shataananda continued the narration of the legend. [1-60-34]

.

Trishanku - and his universe

 

Trishanku is the son of one Suuryaaruna and his original name is Satyavrat and this name Trishanku is his pseudonym. He got this because three sins are attached to him tri shanka-s as said in another work Harivamsha. There it is said: pituH shaapa aadi doShena | guru dogdhre vadhena ca | a-prokShito prayogaat ca | trividhaa tat vyatikramaH | evam triiNi asya shankuuni | One by his father's damnation - when he misbehaved in his kingdom, his father being a righteous king exiles him to a wretched place. When his father was exiling him, Trishanku took umbrage at Vashishta, because Vashishta did not come to his rescue. The second blemish is due to the killing Vashishta's milch cow, knowingly. Trishanku kills that cow, when he did not get any food for the day to feed the son of Vishvamitra. At that time, he had to protect the wife and three sons of Vishvamitra, as Vishvamitra has gone away to a distant place for his ascesis, leaving his kingdom and family. Then Trishanku comes to the rescue of hs family. With that gratitude, now Vishvamitra tries to requite this king in sending him to heaven. The third damnation is for his usage of unsanctified meat of his kill. Thus, Trishanku is the one who carries 'three social blemishes' on his head, and added to these is the curse of Vashishta, in making him as a profaner.

Further, a god or teacher cannot be dragged to one's side or his wishful thinking, but they are to be attained or appeased with constant faith and servitude. guroH aliika nirbandho na kartavyaH kadaacana | anumaanya prasaaH ca guru kruddho yudhiShTara | shiShyo gurau narashreShTa pratikuulam na sa~ncaret | viShNu puraaNa And if god created the cosmos, a man trying to duplicating it, is as good as going against that writ of that god. Vishvamitra no doubt built many space stations and started cloning gods, leave alone earthly species, but he is forestalled, because he wanted to break the system from within, in which he is and by which he mastered all this expertise. It is as good as cutting the branch of a tree on which he is sitting. Absolute insolence is absolutely condemnable. Hence, Trishanku is still dangling upside down in his so-called heaven.

..

iti vaalmiiki raamaayaNe aadi kaavye baala kaaNDe ShaShTitamaH sargaH

Thus, this is the 60th chapter in Bala Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana, the First Epic poem of India.

Verse Locator for Book I : Bala Kanda - The Youthful Majesties : Chapter 60

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© Feb, 2003, Desiraju Hanumanta Rao [Revised : December 04]

 

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