Sarga 60: The Trishanku Constellation
Trishanku Tara Mandala
Viswamitra performs the sacrifice and sends Trishanku to heaven with his physical body; Indra curses him downward; enraged, Viswamitra creates new stars and a permanent constellation for Trishanku to inhabit.
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तपोबलहतान् कृत्वा वासिष्ठान् समहोदयान्। ऋषिमध्ये महातेजा विश्वामित्रोऽभ्यभाषत||1.60.1||
Meaning
Having destroyed the sons of Vashishtha including Mahodaya by his ascetic power, the brilliant Viswamitra spoke in the assembly of rishis.
अयमिक्ष्वाकुदायादस्त्रिशंकुरिति विश्रुत:। धर्मिष्ठश्च वदान्यश्च मां चैव शरणं गत:||1.60.2|| तेनानेन शरीरेण देवलोकजिगीषया। यथाऽयं स्वशरीरेण स्वर्गलोकं गमिष्यति||1.60.3|| तथा प्रवर्त्यतां यज्ञे भवद्भिश्च मया सह।
Meaning
Trishanku, of the Ikshvaku race, virtuous and generous, has sought my refuge to attain heaven with his physical body. Let the sacrifice be performed in such manner that he goes to heaven with his physical form.
विश्वामित्रवच श्श्रुत्वा सर्व एव महर्षय:||1.60.4|| ऊचुस्समेत्य सहिता धर्मज्ञा धर्मसंहितम्।
Meaning
Hearing Viswamitra's words, all the rishis, versed in dharma and assembled there, spoke together in harmony.
अयं कुशिकदायादो मुनि: परमकोपन:||1.60.5|| यदाह वचनं सम्यगेतत्कार्यं न संशय:। अग्निकल्पो हि भगवान् शापं दास्यति रोषित:||1.60.6||
Meaning
This sage born of Kushika's line is extremely wrathful. Whatever he commands must be performed without hesitation. He is like fire; if angered, he will surely curse us.
तस्मात्प्रवर्त्यतां यज्ञ स्सशरीरो यथा दिवम्। गच्छेदिक्ष्वाकुदायादो विश्वामित्रस्य तेजसा||1.60.7||
Meaning
Therefore let the sacrifice proceed such that the Ikshvaku descendant, still in his physical body, may go to heaven by Viswamitra's power.
तथा प्रवर्त्यतां यज्ञ स्सर्वे समधितिष्ठत।
Meaning
In that same way, let the sacrifice proceed; all of you preside over it together.
एवमुक्त्वा महर्षयः चक्रुस्तास्ता:क्रियास्तदा||1.60.8|| याजकश्च महातेजा विश्वामित्रोऽभवत्क्रतौ।
Meaning
Having thus spoken, the maharishis performed their respective activities for the sacrifice, and the brilliant Viswamitra became the chief officiating priest.
ऋत्विजश्चानुपूर्व्येण मन्त्रवन्मन्त्रकोविदा:||1.60.9|| चक्रु: कर्माणि सर्वाणि यथाकल्पं यथाविधि।
Meaning
The officiating priests, versed in sacred chants, performed in order all the rites according to the prescribed kalpa and traditional rules.
तत: कालेन महता विश्वामित्रो महातपा:||1.60.10|| चकारावाहनं तत्र भागार्थं सर्वदेवता:।
Meaning
After a long time, the mighty ascetic Viswamitra invoked all the gods to receive their portion of the offerings.
नाभ्यागमंस्तदाहूता भागार्थं सर्वदेवता:||1.60.11|| तत: क्रोधसमाविष्टो विश्वामित्रो महामुनि:। स्रुवमुद्यम्य सक्रोधस्त्रिशङ्कुमिदमब्रवीत्||1.60.12||
Meaning
But the gods, when invited, did not come to receive their share. Seized with rage, the mighty sage Viswamitra, lifting the sacrificial ladle, said to Trishanku with fury.