Bala Kanda, Sarga 57

Meaning

Sighing deeply again and again, his heart being distressed at the thought of his discomfiture at the hands of Vasiṣṭha, the celebrated Viśwāmitra, who had made enemies with an exalted soul like Vasiṣṭha then proceeded to the southern quarter with his principal queen and embarked as a great ascetic on a course of most severe austerities, O scion of Raghu ! (1-2)

Meaning

Living on fruits and roots alone and with his mind and senses fully controlled, he practised austerities of a high order. Immediately after his commencing the course of his austerities were born to him four sons devoted to truthfulness and virtue—Haviṣpanda, Madhuṣpanda, Dṛḍhanetra and Mahāratha by name. On the completion of a thousand years Brahmā (the progenitor of the universe) actually appeared and addressed the following sweet words to Viśwāmitra, who was rich in asceticism : “The worlds attained by royal sages have been won by you through askesis, O son of Kuśika (Gādhi) ! (3—5)

Meaning

“Through these askesis we undoubtedly recognize you as a royal sage.” Saying so, the exceptionally glorious Brahmā, the suzerain lord of all the worlds, returned alongwith the gods (that had accompanied him) to paradise (Indra’s heaven) en route to Brahmaloka, the highest heaven, his own realm. Filled with great agony to hear the aforesaid compliment and with his face downcast a bit through shame, Viśwāmitra too spoke to himself in a mood of dejection as follows : ‘Even though most severe austerities have been practised by me, all the gods including the hosts of Ṛṣis recognize me only as a royal sage and not as a Brāhmaṇa as desired by me. I, therefore, think that Brahmanhood is not the reward for my austerities (something more is required for attaining the status of a Brāhmaṇa).’ Having concluded thus in his mind, the great ascetic, Viswāmitra, whose mind was given to piety, O scion of Kakutstha, and who was of great restraint, commenced his austerities anew. At this very time a king who heightened the glory of Ikṣwāku’s race and was widely known by the name of Triśaṅku, nay, who ever spoke the truth and had fully controlled his senses, took it into his head, O scion of Raghu, to undertake a sacrifice and thereby ascend bodily to paradise, the highest realm of gods. Summoning Vasiṣṭha, he revealed his mind to him. (6—12)

Meaning

He was, however, told by the mighty Vasiṣṭha that it was not possible to conduct such a sacrifice. Repulsed by Vasiṣṭha, he proceeded to the southern quarter. (13)

Meaning

For the accomplishment of the said purpose the king then sought Vasiṣṭha’s sons at the place where they were actually leading an austere life, engaged as they were in a prolonged course of austerities. (14)

Meaning

The exceptionally glorious Triśaṅku beheld from a distance the hundred high-minded and supremely resplendent sons of Vasiṣṭha practising austerities. (15)

Meaning

Approaching and greeting in order of seniority all the high-souled sons of Vasiṣṭha (his family preceptor) with his face downcast a bit through shame on his having been repulsed by his preceptor, he submitted with folded hands to all those exalted souls as follows : “Though resorted to by others as a protector, I have sought you as my refuge, capable as you are of affording protection to others. (16-17)

Meaning

“May God bless you ! Though refused by the high-souled Vasiṣṭha, your father, I am still desirous of performing a great sacrifice with the object of bodily ascending to heaven. Be pleased, therefore, to grant me leave to do so. (18)

Meaning

“Saluting all my preceptor’s sons, I hereby seek your favour and, fallen prostrate touching the ground with my head, I implore the Brāhmaṇas in your person, devoted to austerities. (19)

Meaning

“As such may you help me with a concentrated mind in performing a sacrifice for the accomplishment of my purpose so that I may attain to the realm of gods in my embodied state. (20)

Meaning

“Having been repulsed by Vasiṣṭha, O sages rich in asceticism, I do not find any resort other than you all, the sons of my preceptor. (21)

Meaning

“The family priest, in the person of Vasiṣṭha, indeed has been the supreme resort to all the scions of Ikṣwāku. Next to him you all are a deity to me.” (22)