Sarga 58: Trishanku's Curse
Trishanku Shaapa
Trishanku, rejected by Vashishtha and his hundred sons, is cursed to become a chandala; desperate and alone, he seeks refuge with Vishvamitra.
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ततस्त्रिशङ्कोर्वचनं श्रुत्वा क्रोधसमन्वितम्। ऋषिपुत्रशतं राम राजानमिदमब्रवीत्।।1.58.1।।
Meaning
Then, hearing Trishanku's words, filled with anger, the hundred sons of the sage, Rama, spoke this to the king.
प्रत्याख्यातो हि दुर्बुद्धे गुरुणा सत्यवादिना। तं कथं समतिक्रम्य शाखान्तरमुपेयिवान्।।1.58.2।।
Meaning
Rejected by your truthful guru, ill-witted one, how have you transgressed him and come to another branch of the same tree?
इक्ष्वाकूणां हि सर्वेषां पुरोधा: परमो गुरु:। न चातिक्रमितुं शक्यं वचनं सत्यवादिन:।।1.58.3।।
Meaning
For all the Ikshvakus, the family priest is the supreme guide; the word of that truthful one cannot be transgressed.
अशक्यमिति चोवाच वसिष्ठो भगवानृषि:। तं वयं वै समाहर्तुं क्रतुं शक्ता: कथं तव।।1.58.4।।
Meaning
The venerable sage Vashishtha himself has said it is impossible; how then could we undertake that same sacrifice for you?
बालिशस्त्वं नरश्रेष्ठ गम्यतां स्वपुरं पुन:। याजने भगवाञ्छक्तस्त्रैलोक्यस्यापि पार्थिव।।1.58.5।। अवमानं च तत्कर्तुं तस्य शक्ष्यामहे कथम्।
Meaning
You are childish, best of men; go back again to your own city. Our venerable father is capable of officiating even the three worlds' sacrifice — how could we bring dishonor upon him?
तेषां तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा क्रोधपर्याकुलाक्षरम्।।1.58.6।। स राजा पुनरेवैतानिदं वचनमब्रवीत्।
Meaning
Hearing their words, faltering with fury, the king again spoke this word to them.
प्रत्याख्यातोऽस्मि गुरुणा गुरुपुत्रैस्तथैव च।।1.58.7।। अन्यां गतिं गमिष्यामि स्वस्ति वोऽस्तु तपोधना:।
Meaning
I am rejected by my guru, and likewise by his sons; I shall seek another recourse — may you prosper, wealthy in austerity.
ऋषिपुत्रास्तु तच्छ्रुत्वा वाक्यं घोराभिसंहितम्।।1.58.8।। शेपु: परमसङ्कृद्धाश्चण्डालत्वं गमिष्यसि।
Meaning
Hearing that dreadful, defiant word, the sons of the sage, greatly enraged, cursed him: you shall become a chandala.
एवमुक्त्वा महात्मनो विविशुस्ते स्वमाश्रमम्।।1.58.9।। अथ रात्र्यां व्यतीतायां राजा चण्डालतां गत:।
Meaning
Having said this, the great souls returned to their own hermitage; then, when that night had passed, the king became a chandala.
नीलवस्त्रधरो नील: पुरुषो ध्वस्तमूर्धज:।।1.58.10।। चित्यमाल्यानुलेपश्च आयसाभरणोऽभवत्।
Meaning
Clad in dark garments, dark-skinned, his hair disheveled, anointed with funeral garlands and unguents, he was adorned with iron ornaments.