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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अयं राजा महाभाग गुरुशापपरिक्षत: । सशरीरो दिवं यातुं नार्हत्येव तपोधन ||1.60.25||
Meaning
O great maharshi, this king cursed by his preceptor is unworthy to attain heaven with his physical body.
तेषां तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा देवानां मुनिपुङ्गव: । अब्रवीत्सुमहद्वाक्यं कौशिक: सर्वदेवता:||1.60.26||
Meaning
Hearing the gods' words, the preeminent ascetic Viswamitra replied to all the deities with these great words.
सशरीरस्य भद्रं वस्त्रिशङ्कोरस्य भूपते:। आरोहणं प्रतिज्ञाय नानृतं कर्तुमुत्सहे||1.60.27||
Meaning
Having promised king Trishanku ascent to heaven with his body, I cannot break my word. I do not wish to speak falsely.
स्वर्गोऽस्तु सशरीरस्य त्रिशङ्कोरस्य शाश्वत:। नक्षत्राणि च सर्वाणि मामकानि ध्रुवाण्यथ||1.60.28|| यावल्लोका धरिष्यन्ति तिष्ठन्त्वेतानि सर्वश:। मत्कृतानि सुरा स्सर्वे तदनुज्ञातुमर्हथ||1.60.29||
Meaning
Let there be an eternal heaven for Trishanku with his body. These stars created by me shall remain steadfast as long as the worlds endure. O gods, I request your consent to this.
एवमुक्ता: सुरास्सर्वे प्रत्यूचुर्मुनिपुङ्गवम्। एवं भवतु भद्रं ते तिष्ठन्त्वेतानि सर्वश:||1.60.30|| गगने तान्यनेकानि वैश्वानरपथाद्बहि:। नक्षत्राणि मुनिश्रेष्ठ तेषु ज्योतिष्षु जाज्वलन्||1.60.31|| अवाक्छिरास्त्रिशङ्कुश्च तिष्ठत्वमरसन्निभ:।
Meaning
All the gods agreed, saying, Let it be so, O best of ascetics. These stars shall remain in the firmament outside the zodiac, shining brilliantly. Trishanku, like an immortal, shall stay on, head downward.
अनुयास्यन्ति चैतानि ज्योतींषि नृपसत्तमम्||1.60.32|| कृतार्थं कीर्तिमन्तं च स्वर्गलोकगतं यथा।
Meaning
These stars will follow that illustrious king Trishanku who achieved his goal, as if he had attained heaven itself.
विश्वामित्रस्तु धर्मात्मा सर्वदेवैरभिष्टुत:||1.60.33|| ऋषिभिश्च महातेजा बाढमित्याह देवता:।
Meaning
Viswamitra, the virtuous and mighty sage, praised by all gods and rishis, said, "So be it."
ततो देवा महात्मानो मुनयश्च तपोधना:। जग्मुर्यथाऽऽगतं सर्वे यज्ञस्यान्ते नरोत्तम||1.60.34||
Meaning
Then the gods and ascetic rishis, having completed the sacrifice, departed by the way they had come, O best among men.