O King, heaven itself lies within your reach, for you have sought refuge with the son of Kausika, the illustrious sage Viśvāmitra, who offers sanctuary to those who approach him. With these words of assurance, Viśvāmitra, radiant and wise, commanded his supremely righteous sons—masters of all knowledge—to prepare the sacred materials for the great sacrifice. He summoned all his disciples and declared, "Bring here, by my command, all the sages, including Vasiṣṭha. Gather their disciples, friends, and the officiating priests learned in the Vedas. Let anyone who wishes to speak, prompted by my words, also come." Though he had clearly spoken these instructions before, his words had been disregarded. But now, hearing his command, the disciples departed in all directions to fulfill his wishes. From every region, Brahmanical sages gathered, and their disciples assembled, approaching Viśvāmitra, who blazed with the power of his asceticism. They spoke on behalf of all the assembled sages, and, hearing their words, the twice-born began to arrive from every land—except Mahodaya. The Vāsiṣṭhas, filled with wrath, uttered words harsh with anger. They addressed Viśvāmitra, saying, "Hear, O foremost of sages, exactly what we said: How can a Kshatriya serve as officiating priest for a Chandala? How can divine sages in the assembly partake of his oblation, or great-souled Brahmins eat food from a Chandala? How will those protected by Viśvāmitra attain heaven?" Their eyes reddened with anger as they spoke these harsh words. All the Vāsiṣṭhas, together with those from Mahodaya, spoke thus. Hearing their words, Viśvāmitra, the foremost of sages, became furious; his eyes blazed red with anger. In wrath, he declared, "Though I am blameless and steadfast in fierce austerity, they revile me. These 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. Let us now hear 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 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." He urged, "Let the sacrifice be commenced by you together with me." Hearing Viśvāmitra's words, 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." With these words, the sages agreed and began the ritual. Viśvāmitra, of great brilliance, became the officiating priest, and the other priests, skilled in mantras, performed their duties in order. All rites were conducted according to the prescribed procedures and rules. After a long period, Viśvāmitra, steadfast in austerity, performed the invocation for the share of all the gods. Yet, none of the gods appeared to receive their share. 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 my power, ascend to heaven in your body." When the sage had spoken thus, Triśaṅku, in his own body, ascended to heaven as the sages watched. Seeing Triśaṅku reach the heavenly realm, Indra, together with all the hosts of gods, spoke: "Triśaṅku, return again; you have not earned a place in heaven. Struck down by the curse of your teacher, O fool, fall to earth headfirst." Thus addressed by Mahendra, Triśaṅku fell again from heaven. As he fell, Triśaṅku cried out, "Save me!" to Viśvāmitra, the possessor of great austerity. Hearing his plea, Kauśika became intensely angry and declared, "Stop, stop!" Among the sages, he shone like another Prajāpati. In his wrath, he created anew the seven sages who dwell in the southern path, and he also established another lineage of stars, overwhelmed by his anger. Thus, through the power and resolve of Viśvāmitra, the extraordinary events surrounding Triśaṅku's ascent and descent unfolded, revealing both the might of asceticism and the intricate interplay of destiny, dharma, and divine will.