Thrishanku
When Vasishtaa’s sons heard that they got furious and told him “ Hey wicked minded King, Our Father does not falter on Truth.If he says a thing should not be done, can that task be undertaken at any time?Truth are his words.Instead of abiding by it you dared to cling to another branch? You your self said few minutes back that for Ikshvaku Kings Sage Vasishta is the sole Guru and is the only recourse;You have dared to disobey his advice. Can any one even think of doing it even in a Dream? When God Brahma’s son Sage Vasishtaa had said not to do a thing How can we, his sons or his Disciples can undertake this Yagnya? Even though you have earned the name of Greatest amongst Kings, you are still a Fool. Go and surrender to your Guru again. He has the ability to conduct a Yaga to enable anyone to attain any of the position in all 3 worlds. Did you imagine that we have the Power to do the Yaga against his wishes? Did you not get anyone else to undertake this wrong task? Go away” said Sage Vasishtaa’s sons.
Hearing these words,King Thrishanku did not get least bit perturbed and told them “ My Kula Guru(Family Priest) had forsaken me. You too have forsaken me. For that I am not going to stop in achieving my Desire. I will surrender to someone else and I will fulfill my Goal of going to Heaven with Mortal Body. It is only proper you are saying this due to the fame & Power achieved by your Peanance. I will take leave. May Sakala Mangalam (May all Blessings and Auspicious happenings) be showerd on you.” Saying this Thrishanku left that place. Sage Vasishtaa’s sons were shocked and astounded on hearing those words of King Thrishanku. Having attained Sage Vasishtaa who is embodiment of Penance waterfall, and the Son of God Brahma, the Greastest amongst rishis and Wisdom of Knowledge, Strength and courage matchless is this Kings Kula Guru(Family Priest) and hearing the words of King to brush aside his Guru and going in search of another itself was very cruel to hear so they said “ Hey Wicked, May you become the Caretaker in a cemerty” cursed him with anger. Even seeing this sinner will entail us with Sin and thus they ran into their cottages.
When that night fell Thrishanku became Chandaalan(Caretaker). His Golden colour body lost it’s lusture and became Balck in colour. His Limbs became ugly to look at. His Hiars became shortened and swollen and Tardy. His Creamish Dress became blackish Care taker dress. The Garlands which are put to the Corpses became his ornaments. Traces of Ashes from the burning corpses were sprayed on to his body. The Golden Crown, Jewels,Keyur Necklaces, all turned into Iron wear which Caretaker adorns.TheYagnyopavvetham ie Poonal(Jhanevu) became a Leather Belt. All his Minsters,Body gaurds, Entourages seeing his change to a Caretaker ran away from him. Thrishangu was alone, immersed in sorrow, ashamed, heart broken, with no sleep and Food was wandering about aimlessly Day & Night. But his confidence Level did not reduce . that is why they say” Vinaash Kalay Vipareetha Bhudhi” ie when bad time comes the intellect goes astray on the wrong path. This adage suited Thrishnaku well (This is my own inference and not in Valmiki Ramayana).
Finally he went to Raja Rishi Vishwamithra’s cottage where he was doing penance. Seeing his plight Sage Vishwamithra took deep Pity on him. “ Oh My GOD! He is a King like me. He has Lost his Kindom, wealth all the comforts and Luxuries. He has lost the Status and Lusture as well. He has lost all those resources which will confer him comfort both in this world as Life after this world. He is wandering in this miserable Form as Caretaker. Out of Pity he addresses him “ Hey King! Are you not the King of Ayodhya Thrishanku? You are the Strongest person, on whose curse did you get this caretaker’s body? What brought you here? “ asked Vishwamithra.
Thrishaku prostrated before him with reverence and intelligently and sagaciously addressed Vishwamithra thus “Hey Master! My Kula Guru(Family Piest) forsake me, his sons also forsake me, What for do we go after Gurus and serve them? we go to them thinking they should guard us from Dangers and Calamities when it happens is it not? My Guru and his sons have not blessed me thus. Not only that they cursed me to become like this ”Master! I would like to attain Heaven with this Human Mortal Body. I have done 100 Yagas. Despite that I have not got that benefit. For Sage Vasishsta forsaking me I have not done any sin. Even one does countless yagas if one utters 1 Lie they will get destroyed is the rule, I have not old a single Lie nor am I going to tell a Lie. I tell this with the Ksahtriya Dharma I adhere as a Witness. Even in this hour of trouble and even more horrible troubles befalls me I will not tell Lie. I have done lot of Yagnyas.I have ruled over my countrymen adhering to Dharma (Righteous conduct, Duty, Pious, humble,Charity ,being Noble, all this done beyond expectation and without anticipation). I have always enthused the Teachers, Noble men, Gurus with my Humility of Service with good Conduct, Character, and Discipline hither to.
I have always focused my intellect on Dharma (Righteous conduct, Duty, Pious, humble,Charity ,being Noble, all this done beyond expectation and without anticipation). I am trying to do this Yagnya which will take me to Heaven with this Mortal(Human) Body itself, but alas my Guru does not have mercy on me. What can I do? The effrots made in this birth are worthless, and for the earlier Birth’s Mounds of Sins we have to suffer in this brith and Only God is above and gives the Sorrow and Comfort. I have understood this well. Only God can cleanse all this and there is none other than God. Iam suffering with undescribable sorrow,this is given by God , even that should be made as a beneficial pathway. Even if Sage Vasishtaa or his father God Brahma call me I will tell them that I have surrendered to you and will not surrender to any one else. With your compassion I am sure even God will be helpful..I pray to you that with your prowess you should win over God” said the caretaker (King) Thrishanku.
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