Though I have performed a hundred sacrifices, still I do not obtain the fruit I seek. Never have I spoken falsehood, nor will I ever speak it. Even when afflicted, O gentle one, I have upheld the duty of a Kshatriya. I have performed many kinds of sacrifices, and through righteousness, I have protected the people. The great-souled elders have been pleased by my conduct and character, for I have always strived in righteousness and wished to perform sacrifice. Yet, O best of sages, the elders are not satisfied with me. Thus, I consider fate to be supreme and human effort to be fruitless. All is overpowered by fate; fate is indeed the highest path. I am greatly afflicted and have come to you seeking favor, O blessed one. You ought to act for me, whose actions are obstructed by fate. I will not go to any other refuge, nor do I have any other shelter. You alone should turn aside fate by your own effort. At this point, the compassionate son of Kuśika, Viśvāmitra, moved by the king’s distress, spoke sweet words to him, though the king had become a Chandala in truth. “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. I consider heaven to be within your grasp, O king, since you have come to the son of Kuśika, the giver of refuge, seeking shelter.” Having thus reassured him, the great and radiant Viśvāmitra instructed his supremely righteous sons, wise in all things, to prepare the sacrificial materials. He then summoned all his disciples and commanded them: “Bring here, by my order, all the sages, along with Vasiṣṭha. Bring their disciples, friends, and the officiating priests, learned in the Vedas. And let anyone else come who, prompted by my words, wishes to speak.” Despite Viśvāmitra’s clear instructions, his words were disregarded by some. Hearing his command, the disciples departed in all directions. From every region, the Brahmanical sages gathered, and their disciples assembled, approaching the sage blazing with ascetic power. They spoke the words of all the Brahmanical sages, and, hearing those words, all the twice-born began to arrive. From every land they came, except from Mahodaya. All the Vāsiṣṭhas, filled with wrath, uttered words harsh with anger: “How can a Kshatriya be the officiating priest for a Chandala, especially? How can the divine sages in the assembly partake of his oblation, or the great-souled Brahmins, after eating food from a Chandala? How will those protected by Viśvāmitra attain heaven?” These harsh words they spoke, their eyes reddened with anger. All the Vāsiṣṭhas, together with those from Mahodaya, spoke thus. Hearing their words, the foremost of sages, Viśvāmitra, his eyes red from anger, spoke in wrath: “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 and misshapen, wandering the worlds without honor; and Mahodaya, of perverse mind, who slandered me though I am blameless—he, defamed in all worlds, 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 spoken thus, the great ascetic Viśvāmitra, radiant among the sages, fell silent. Knowing that the Vāsiṣṭhas, together with those from Mahodaya, had been overcome by the power of his austerity, the great ascetic 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 assembled swiftly, knowing righteousness, and spoke in accordance with dharma: “This descendant of Kuśika is a sage of intense wrath. Whatever he has said must be done without doubt; for the revered one, equal to Agni, will utter a curse in anger. Therefore, let the sacrifice proceed so that the descendant of Ikṣvāku may ascend to heaven in his body by the power of Viśvāmitra. Let the sacrifice be commenced; all of you undertake it.” Thus resolved, the great sages began the rites at that time. Viśvāmitra, of great brilliance, became the officiating priest in the ritual, and the other priests, skilled in mantras, performed their duties in order. They performed all the rites according to the prescribed procedure and rules. Then, after a long time, Viśvāmitra, steadfast in great austerity, continued the sacrifice, determined to fulfill Triśaṅku’s wish.