Suspended in the Skies: The Tale of Trishanku

Sage Vishwamitra was originally a king. During a hunting trip, he visited the ashram of Sage Vasishta. Vasishta warmly welcomed Vishwamitra and his large army, serving them a grand feast. This was made possible by Kamadhenu, the divine cow that could grant any wish.

Amazed by Kamadhenu's abilities, Vishwamitra wanted to possess her. When Vasishta refused to give her up, Vishwamitra tried to take Kamadhenu by force. In defense, Kamadhenu produced  thousands of warriors from her body, who defeated Vishwamitra's army.

Realizing the power of spiritual strength, Vishwamitra decided to perform intense  tapas, to gain spiritual powers. After a long period, he acquired powerful divine weapons such as Brahmastra  and attacked Vasishta again. However, Vasishta's spiritual  power  was so great that Vishwamitra's weapons had no effect. Understanding that spiritual power was superior to physical might, Vishwamitra aspired to become a Brahmarshi - a great sage like Vasishta.

Determined, Vishwamitra performed tapas for a thousand years. Eventually, Brahma appeared and told him, 'You have attained the status of a Rajarshi,' meaning a royal sage. Feeling ashamed that his efforts only earned him this title, Vishwamitra resumed his tapas with even greater resolve.

Around this time, in the Ikshwaku dynasty, there was a king named Trishanku. He desired to reach swarga in his human body by performing a grand yajna. Trishanku approached Vasishta, his royal guru, with this request. Vasishta told him it was impossible.

Not giving up, Trishanku sought help from Vasishta's 100 sons, who were also sages. They became angry that he was trying to bypass their father and, feeling disrespected, cursed Trishanku to become a chandala - a person belonging to  the lowest caste, associated with impure occupations and social ostracism.

Now an outcast, Trishanku turned to Vishwamitra for help. He pleaded, 'I have lived a noble life and performed many noble deeds, but look at my fate. You are my only refuge.' Seeing an opportunity to surpass Vasishta, whom he resented, Vishwamitra agreed to help. He vowed to send Trishanku to swarga in his current form.

Vishwamitra assembled other powerful sages and began a yajna to send Trishanku to swarga. When the gods did not respond, Vishwamitra used his own spiritual power to lift Trishanku toward swarga. However, the gods pushed Trishanku back, declaring that someone who defied his guru could not enter swarga.

As Trishanku fell back to earth, he cried out to Vishwamitra. Determined to keep his promise, Vishwamitra halted Trishanku's fall, leaving him suspended between earth and swarga. In his anger, Vishwamitra began creating a new swarga around Trishanku, complete with cosmic bodies and even a new set of gods.

Alarmed by this, the gods approached Vishwamitra and pleaded with him to stop. Vishwamitra agreed but insisted that his creation remain and that Trishanku stay where he was, enjoying heavenly pleasures. The gods agreed, and thus Trishanku became a constellation in the sky, forever suspended between earth and swarga.  This  constellation corresponds to the Southern Cross (Crux).

Lessons

1. Inner spiritual strength is more powerful and enduring than physical power.
2. Trishanku's insistence on reaching heaven in his mortal body, despite his guru's advice, shows arrogance. This demonstrates how unchecked ambition and ego can lead to downfall.
3. It is important to honor one's teachers and adhere to the established moral and cosmic laws. Attempting to circumvent or challenge these principles can lead to severe consequences. The story emphasizes that humility, obedience, and respect for wisdom are essential virtues.

Ramaswamy Sastry and Vighnesh Ghanapaathi