When the assembly of sages, their eyes blazing with anger, questioned how those protected by Vishvamitra could possibly attain heaven after uttering such harsh words, all the Vāsiṣṭhas, together with the sages from Mahodaya, spoke out in agitation. Hearing their words, the great sage Vishvamitra, his own eyes red with wrath, addressed them in a voice trembling with indignation: "Though I am blameless and steadfast in fierce austerities, they heap scorn upon me." His anger mounting, Vishvamitra declared, "These wicked ones will surely be reduced to ashes; today, led by the noose of Time, they are bound for Yama’s realm. For seven hundred births, let them be born as Mṛtapās—dog-eaters, merciless, and known as Muṣṭikas—deformed and misshapen, wandering the worlds without honor. As for Mahodaya, whose mind has turned perversely against me and who has slandered me though I am blameless, he shall be defamed in all worlds, reborn as a Niṣāda, intent on killing living beings and devoid of compassion. For a long time, because of my wrath, he will dwell in misery." Having pronounced this terrible curse, the radiant sage Vishvamitra fell silent, his anger still simmering. Now, let the next chapter of the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Bālakāṇḍa, be heard. Vishvamitra, aware that the Vāsiṣṭhas and the sages from Mahodaya had been subdued by the force of his penance, spoke among the assembled sages: "This is Triśaṅku, famed descendant of Ikṣvāku, righteous and generous, who has come to me for refuge. With his own body, he wishes to ascend to heaven and conquer the world of the gods in his earthly form." He urged the sages, "Let the sacrifice begin, with all of you joining me." The great sages, understanding what was right, quickly gathered and spoke among themselves in accordance with dharma: "This descendant of Kuśika is a sage of intense wrath. Whatever he has declared must be fulfilled without hesitation, for the revered one, equal to Agni, is quick to utter a curse in anger." Thus, the sages agreed: "Let the sacrifice proceed, so that the descendant of Ikṣvāku may ascend to heaven in his body by the power of Vishvamitra." At Vishvamitra's command, the great sages began the rites. Vishvamitra himself became the chief officiant, and the other priests, skilled in sacred mantras, performed their duties in proper order. Every ritual was carried out according to the prescribed procedures and rules. After a long period of rites and invocations, Vishvamitra, steadfast in austerity, called upon the gods to receive their shares of the sacrifice. Yet, none of the gods appeared to accept their portion. Filled with anger, Vishvamitra raised the ladle and, his voice thunderous, spoke to Triśaṅku: "Behold the power of my penance, O king. By my own strength, I shall send you to heaven in your own body. Go now to heaven in your body, which is so difficult to attain. There is indeed some fruit of my austerity that I have earned." At these words, Triśaṅku, in his own body, began to ascend to heaven before the eyes of all the sages. As he approached the celestial realm, Indra, lord of the gods, together with all the heavenly hosts, spoke sternly: "Triśaṅku, return! You have not earned a place in heaven. Struck down by the curse of your teacher, O fool, fall to earth headfirst!" Thus commanded by Mahendra, Triśaṅku was cast down from heaven, plummeting headfirst toward the earth. In desperation, he cried out, "Save me!" calling upon Vishvamitra, the possessor of immense ascetic power. Hearing Triśaṅku's plea, Vishvamitra’s anger flared once more. He called out, "Stop! Stop!" and, shining with the radiance of another Prajāpati among the sages, he unleashed his creative might. In his fury, he created anew the seven sages who dwell on the southern path, and established another lineage of stars. Turning to the southern direction, surrounded by the other sages, he set these stars in the sky, his mind clouded by wrath. In his anger, Vishvamitra declared, "If need be, I will make another Indra, or let the world exist without an Indra!" and he began to create new deities as well. Alarmed by the sage’s overwhelming power, all the hosts of sages, gods, and asuras approached Vishvamitra with great respect, speaking conciliatory words: "O most fortunate one, this king is afflicted by the curse of his guru. O possessor of ascetic wealth, he does not deserve to ascend to heaven in his body." Hearing these words, the eminent sage Kauśika addressed all the deities with firm resolve: "A promise has been made for the bodily ascent of Triśaṅku. I cannot bring myself to act falsely. Let heaven be eternal for Triśaṅku in his body, and let all these stars, which are mine, remain fixed. As long as the worlds endure, let these all remain. Whatever the gods have done, you ought to approve." Thus addressed, all the gods replied to the great sage, "So be it. Let all these remain, and may good fortune be yours." And so, in the sky, outside the path of Agni, those many stars created by Vishvamitra blazed among the heavenly lights, shining forever as a testament to the sage’s power and resolve.