Thrishanku
Thus Vishwamithra could not forget the dishonor caused uto him by Sage Vasishta and that was pricking his heart again and again and was breathing heavily , and this lead to Malice towards the Brhmagnyani Vasishtaa. Hence he went down south along with his wife,controlled his senses
, ate only Vegetables, roots, fruits, and did severe penance. Thereafter he got the following sons Mahadhar,Havishyanthan, Madhushyanthan,Dhrutanethran, and many more sons. They were in the path of Turth and Dharma(Righteous conduct, Duty, Pious, humble,Charity ,being Noble, all this done beyond expectation and without anticipation).Thus the Penance done without controlling the Anger and Lust did not succeed completely. After 1000 years Brahma came and said “ Since you have done immense Penance I hereby grant you the Status of Rajha Rishi(Kingly Saint) thus blessed him pleasantly and went to the Brhama lok(his abode).
Vishwamithra hung his head in shame and due to limitless sorrow muttered to himself “ I have done immense Penance of severity, even then I got only the post of Rajha Rishi (Kingly Saint) and not Brahma Rishi (Godly Saint-Which enables one to see God in every Living Being). Thus it can be said that whatever Penance I did so far is of no use.Thus having concluded decided to do more severe Penance” He strained him self to extreme measures than earlier and observed more severe penance. .
Those days there was a King Trishanku who ruled Ayodhya. He never faltered on Truth. He had controlled his Senses. He wanted to do Yaga and wanted to go to heaven with his Mortal body.So he asked Sage Vasishta who advised him“Hey Child! I can do this. Many have adopted this route to reach heaven.Sruthi also mentions this in some places.But hearing the episodes of those happened in the last Kalpa (4.Million Years back) you may not get the benefit as aspired by you. So it is better you do not undertake such a task.”
Thrisanku went down south where Sage Vasishtaa’s sons who were dazzling like Agni(Fire) in their Aura and Radiance and were doing penance .He prostrated his Guru’s sons and worshipped them. Since he was stopped by his Guru, he was slightly ashamed and hung his head in shame. He bowed to those Righteous persons and spoke “ You are worthy of Surrendering oneself, hence I am surrendering myself unto you. Please protect me. Self had surrendered to your father, though he is my Guru, he did not accept me. I would like to conduct a Yagnya whereby I can reach Heaven with this Mortal Body. You should grant me permission and conduct & bless the same. You are noblest of Brahmins. You do great penance. You are my Guru’s children I submit my self and beseech you to fulfill my wish. As my GURU had stopped me , I have no other recourse. For the Kings of Ikshvaku Dynasty Sage Vasishtaa is the ultimate recourse . He solves whateve problems that the King may encounter. Whatever one asks for he grants same. If he is not protecting me then you are my God.”Trishngu expressed thus to Sage Vasishtaa’s sons. (Slokas 22)
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