The form you now bear, O king, is the result of your guru’s curse—but with this very form, you shall ascend bodily to the heavens. Heaven itself is within your reach, for you have come seeking refuge with me, the son of Kausika, a giver of sanctuary. Speaking thus, the great and radiant sage Viśvāmitra turned to his supremely righteous sons, wise in all matters, and instructed them to prepare the sacrificial materials. He summoned all his disciples and addressed them: “By my command, bring here all the sages, including Vasiṣṭha. Gather their disciples, friends, and the officiating priests learned in the Vedas; let any others who wish to speak, prompted by my words, also come.” Though I had already declared all this, my words were disregarded. Hearing my command, the disciples departed in all directions. Soon, from every quarter, Brahmanical sages assembled, bringing their disciples with them, all approaching the sage Viśvāmitra, who blazed with the power of his asceticism. They spoke the words of all the Brahmanical sages, and upon hearing them, all the twice-born—except those from Mahodaya—began to arrive. The Vāsiṣṭhas, however, were filled with wrath and uttered words harsh with anger. “Hear now, O foremost of sages, exactly what I said: How can a Kshatriya serve as the officiating priest for a Chandala, of all people? How can the divine sages in this assembly partake of his oblation, or the great-souled Brahmins eat 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, his own eyes red with 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. Now begins the sixty-first chapter of the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Bālakāṇḍa. Knowing that the Vāsiṣṭhas and those from Mahodaya had been overcome by the power 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 Viśvāmitra’s words, all the great sages swiftly assembled, knowing righteousness, and spoke in accordance with dharma: “This descendant of Kuśika is a sage of intense wrath. Whatever he commands 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.” Thus resolved, the great sages began the rites. Viśvāmitra, of great brilliance, became the officiating priest, and the other priests, skilled in mantras, performed their duties in order. All the rituals were carried out according to the prescribed procedures and rules. Then, after a long time, Viśvāmitra, steadfast in his austerity, performed the invocation for the share of all the gods. Yet, at that time, none of the gods came to receive their portion. Filled with anger, Viśvāmitra raised the sacrificial ladle and, wrathful, spoke to Triśaṅku: “Behold the power of my austerity, O king! By my own strength, I shall lead you to heaven in your own body. Go to heaven in your own body, O king, which is difficult to attain. There is indeed some fruit of my austerity that I have acquired. By this power, ascend to heaven in your body.” When the sage had spoken, Triśaṅku, in his own body, began to rise heavenward as the sages watched. But seeing Triśaṅku reach the heavenly realm, Indra, together with all the hosts of gods, addressed him: “Triśaṅku, return again; you have not earned a place in heaven.” Struck down by the curse of his teacher, Triśaṅku was hurled headfirst back toward the earth. As he fell, Triśaṅku cried out, “Save me!” to Viśvāmitra, the possessor of great austerity. Hearing his desperate plea, Kauśika became intensely angry and commanded, “Stop! Stop!” Among the sages, he shone forth like another Prajāpati.