Viśvāmitra, the renowned sage, journeyed southward with his queen, O Rāghava. There, he undertook the most severe austerities. Living only on fruits and roots, he mastered his senses and performed the highest penances. In time, sons were born to him—Haviṣpanda, Madhuṣpanda, and Dṛḍhanetra, a mighty chariot-warrior—all devoted to truth and righteousness. After a thousand years had passed, Brahmā, the grandsire of the worlds, appeared before Viśvāmitra. With sweet words, Brahmā praised him: “Through your austerity, O son of Kuśika, you have conquered the realms of royal sages. By this austerity, we know you as a royal sage.” Having spoken thus, Brahmā and the gods departed for the heavenly realm, the abode of Brahmā. Viśvāmitra heard this and, though honored, felt downcast and modest. Overcome by sorrow and anger, he lamented: “I have performed immense austerity, yet they know me only as a royal sage. All the gods and all the hosts of sages—there is, I think, no fruit of austerity.” Thus resolved, Viśvāmitra, the great ascetic, continued his penance with even greater determination. At this time, Triśaṅku, renowned as the enhancer of the Ikṣvāku lineage, resolved to perform a sacrifice. He wished to ascend to the realm of the gods with his own body. Summoning the illustrious sage Vasiṣṭha, Triśaṅku revealed his intention. Vasiṣṭha, great-souled and wise, replied, “It is impossible.” Rejected by Vasiṣṭha, Triśaṅku journeyed southward. Seeking to accomplish his wish, Triśaṅku approached the sons of Vasiṣṭha, who were engaged in austerity. He found a hundred brilliant sons, steadfast in their penances. Triśaṅku, radiant and modest, greeted them one by one, standing with his head bowed. With joined palms, he addressed them: “I have come to you for refuge, seeking shelter from those who grant shelter. I have been rejected by the great-souled Vasiṣṭha; desiring to perform a great sacrifice, you ought to grant me permission. I honor all the sons of the guru and entreat you; bowing my head, I beseech the Brahmins who are steadfast in austerity. May you, for the sake of accomplishment, officiate for me with concentration, so that I may attain the world of the gods with my body. Rejected by Vasiṣṭha, I see no other path, O ascetics, except through the guru’s sons. For among all the Ikṣvākus, the family priest is indeed the highest path; therefore, after him, you all are my divinity.” Now, O Rāma, listen to the next episode in the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa. When the sons of Vasiṣṭha heard Triśaṅku’s words, filled with anger, they replied: “You have been rejected, O wicked-minded one, by your truthful guru; how, then, did you transgress and approach another branch? Among all the Ikṣvākus, the family priest is indeed the highest path; and the words of the truth-speaking one cannot be transgressed. The venerable sage Vasiṣṭha said, ‘It is impossible’; yet we are somehow able to assemble the sacrifice. You are childish, O best of men; return again to your own city. The venerable one is capable of performing the sacrifice even for the three worlds, O king. How could we possibly insult him?” Hearing their words, filled with anger, Triśaṅku spoke again: “I have been rejected by the venerable one, and likewise by the guru’s sons. I shall seek another path. Farewell to you, O ascetics.” Upon hearing these words, dreadful in intent, the sons of Vasiṣṭha became exceedingly enraged and cursed him: “You shall become a Caṇḍāla!” Having spoken thus, they returned to their hermitages. When night had passed, Triśaṅku became a Caṇḍāla: clad in dark garments, his skin dark, hair disheveled, adorned with garlands of rags and smeared with ashes, wearing iron ornaments. Seeing him in this form, all his ministers and the townspeople fled; Triśaṅku, descendant of Kakutstha, went forth alone, possessing supreme self-control. Burning with anguish day and night, he approached Viśvāmitra, the ascetic. Viśvāmitra, seeing the king rendered fruitless and transformed into a Caṇḍāla, was moved to compassion. Out of pity, the great ascetic, supremely righteous, spoke: “May it be well with you,” he said to the king, dreadful in appearance. “For what purpose have you come, O mighty prince?” “O hero, lord of Ayodhya,” Viśvāmitra continued, “by the curse you have become a Caṇḍāla.” Hearing these words, Triśaṅku, now a Caṇḍāla, with joined palms, addressed Viśvāmitra: “I have been rejected by my guru and likewise by the sons of my guru. Without attaining that desire, I have met with the opposite; may I ascend to heaven with my body, O gentle one.” Thus, Triśaṅku, bereft of support and transformed by the curse, stood before Viśvāmitra, seeking the fulfillment of his extraordinary wish.