Now, let us hear the sixty-first chapter of the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, in the Bālakāṇḍa. Having realized that the Vasiṣṭhas and the sages from Mahodaya had been subdued by the sheer force of his tapas, the great ascetic Viśvāmitra addressed the assembled sages. He said, “This is Triśaṅku, renowned as a descendant of Ikṣvāku, righteous and generous, who has come to me for refuge. With this very body, wishing to conquer the world of the gods, he seeks to ascend to heaven in his own form.” Viśvāmitra then urged, “Let us begin the sacrifice together.” Upon hearing these words, all the great sages, well-versed in dharma, gathered swiftly. They spoke among themselves, “This descendant of Kuśika is a sage of intense wrath. Whatever he declares must be fulfilled without hesitation, for the revered one, equal to Agni, might utter a curse in anger.” Thus, they agreed, “Let the sacrifice proceed, so that the descendant of Ikṣvāku may ascend to heaven in his body, empowered by Viśvāmitra.” They all resolved to undertake the rites, and so, at that very time, the great sages began the sacrificial ceremony. Viśvāmitra, radiant with spiritual brilliance, became the chief officiating priest, while the other expert priests performed their duties in proper order. Every rite was conducted according to the prescribed procedure and rules. After a long duration, Viśvāmitra, steadfast in austerity, invoked all the gods to receive their shares of the sacrifice. Yet, not a single deity appeared to accept their portion. Seeing the gods’ refusal, Viśvāmitra, filled with anger, raised the sacrificial ladle and, his wrath blazing, spoke to Triśaṅku: “Behold the power of my penance, O king! By my own strength, I shall send you to heaven in your very body. Go now, O king, to heaven in your own form—a feat difficult for mortals. Surely, some fruit of my austerity must be realized.” As Viśvāmitra finished speaking, Triśaṅku, still in his earthly body, began to ascend toward heaven, witnessed by the assembled sages. But as Triśaṅku approached the heavenly realm, Indra and all the gods declared, “Triśaṅku, return! You have not earned a place in heaven.” They pronounced, “Struck down by your guru’s curse, O fool, fall headlong to earth!” Thus addressed by Mahendra, Triśaṅku was cast down, tumbling headfirst. In desperation, Triśaṅku cried out, “Save me!” to Viśvāmitra, the powerful ascetic. Hearing his plea, Viśvāmitra’s anger flared even more. He commanded, “Stop! Stop!” His radiance among the sages was like that of Prajāpati himself. Overwhelmed by wrath, Viśvāmitra created anew the seven sages who dwell in the southern sky, and he fashioned another lineage of stars. Turning to the southern direction, the illustrious sage, surrounded by other ascetics, created a host of stars, his mind clouded by anger. In his fury, he declared, “I will create another Indra, or else let the world exist without an Indra!” He began to create new deities as well. Alarmed at these cosmic disturbances, all the sages, gods, and asuras hastened to Viśvāmitra and addressed him with respectful, conciliatory words: “O most fortunate one, this king is afflicted by his guru’s curse. O possessor of great ascetic wealth, he does not deserve to ascend to heaven in his body.” Upon hearing these words, the eminent sage Kauśika replied to all the deities with powerful resolve: “I have promised Triśaṅku bodily ascent to heaven. I cannot go back on my word. Let heaven be eternal for Triśaṅku in his own body, and let all these stars created by me remain fixed in the heavens. As long as the worlds endure, let these all remain. Whatever you gods have done, you ought to approve.” The gods replied, “So be it. Let all these remain, and may good fortune be yours.” Thus, in the sky, outside the path of Agni, the many stars Viśvāmitra had created blazed among the heavenly lights. Triśaṅku, with his head downward, would remain like an immortal, and these new stars would follow the best of kings. Having fulfilled his purpose and earned great fame, Viśvāmitra, the righteous sage, was praised by all the gods for his accomplishment. In the midst of the assembled sages, mighty ones, and ascetics, the gods said, “So be it.” Then, O best of men, all the great-souled gods and ascetics departed as they had come, at the conclusion of the sacrifice. Now, let us hear the sixty-first sarga of this sacred Rāmāyaṇa. Seeing the sages disperse, Viśvāmitra, radiant with splendor, addressed the forest-dwelling ascetics: “A great obstacle has arisen in the southern direction. Let us journey elsewhere to perform our austerities.” He proposed, “In the vast western region, at Puṣkara, we will comfortably practice our penances. That forest is indeed pleasant for asceticism.” Thus resolved, the great sage of immense energy led his followers to Puṣkara, where he undertook fierce and unassailable austerities, sustaining himself on roots and fruits alone.