Burning with suffering day and night, King Triśaṅku, transformed by a terrible fate, approached the illustrious sage Viśvāmitra. The great ascetic, seeing the king rendered fruitless and reduced to the form of a Caṇḍāla, was moved to deep compassion. Out of his kindness, Viśvāmitra—supremely righteous and steadfast—addressed the king, whose appearance had become dreadful, and spoke gently: “May it be well with you. For what purpose have you come here, O mighty prince?” Viśvāmitra recognized the lord of Ayodhya, now bearing the form of a Caṇḍāla due to a curse. Hearing the sage’s words, Triśaṅku, with joined palms and skilled in speech, humbly replied, “I have been cast away by my guru and likewise by the sons of my guru. My desire has not been fulfilled; instead, I have met with its opposite. O gentle one, may I ascend to heaven in this very body. Though I have performed a hundred sacrifices, I do not obtain their fruit. I have never spoken falsehood, nor will I ever do so. Even in affliction, I have upheld the duty of a Kshatriya, performing many sacrifices and protecting my people through righteousness.” He continued, “The great-souled elders have been pleased with my conduct and character. I have always strived for righteousness and longed to perform sacrifice. Yet, O best of sages, the elders are not satisfied. I now consider fate to be supreme and human effort to be of no avail. Everything is overpowered by fate, which is indeed the highest path. I am greatly afflicted, seeking your favor, O blessed one—you, whose actions are never hindered by fate, ought to act on my behalf. I have no other refuge, nor any other shelter. By your own effort, you must turn aside fate.” Hearing Triśaṅku’s earnest plea, Viśvāmitra was filled with compassion. He spoke sweet words to the king, who now stood before him as a true Caṇḍāla: “O Ikṣvāku, welcome, my child. I know you are truly righteous. I will grant you refuge; do not fear, O foremost of kings. I will summon all the great sages of virtuous deeds, those who assist in sacrifices. Then, O king, you shall perform the sacrifice with satisfaction. The form that has come upon you, caused by the guru’s curse—with this very form, you shall ascend bodily. Heaven is within your grasp, O king, since you have come to me, the son of Kuśika, seeking shelter.” Having thus spoken, the radiant Viśvāmitra instructed his supremely righteous sons, wise in all things, to prepare the sacrificial materials. He summoned all his disciples and commanded, “Bring here, by my word, all the sages along with Vasiṣṭha. Bring their disciples, friends, and the officiating priests, learned in the Vedas. Let anyone else come who, prompted by my words, wishes to speak.” Yet, despite his clear instructions, some disregarded his command. Nevertheless, from all directions, Brahmanical sages gathered, their disciples assembling to approach the sage blazing with ascetic power. As they arrived, the sages raised a question: “How can a Kshatriya be the officiating priest for a Caṇḍāla, especially? How can the divine sages partake of his oblation, or the great-souled Brahmins eat food from a Caṇḍāla? How will those protected by Viśvāmitra attain heaven?” These words, spoken with anger by the Vāsiṣṭhas and those from Mahodaya, reflected their wrath and disapproval. Hearing these harsh words, Viśvāmitra’s eyes grew red with anger. He declared, “Though I am blameless and steadfast in fierce austerity, they revile me. Those wicked ones will surely be reduced to ashes; today, by the noose of Time, they are led to the realm of Yama. For seven hundred births, let them be born as Mṛtapās, feeding on dog flesh, merciless, and known as Muṣṭikas—deformed, misshapen, wandering the worlds without honor. And Mahodaya, who slandered me though I am blameless, shall become a Niṣāda, intent on killing living beings, devoid of compassion. For a long time, because of my wrath, he will dwell in misery.” Having thus pronounced his curse, the great ascetic Viśvāmitra, radiant among sages, fell silent. Knowing that the Vāsiṣṭhas and those from Mahodaya had been overcome by the force of his austerity, Viśvāmitra spoke among the assembled sages: “This is Triśaṅku, famed as a descendant of Ikṣvāku, righteous and generous, who has come to me for refuge. With this very body, desiring to conquer the world of the gods, he wishes to ascend to heaven in his own form. Let the sacrifice be commenced by you together with me.” Hearing the words of Viśvāmitra, all the great sages prepared to act, ready to fulfill the king’s wish under the sage’s guidance.