The sages had assembled swiftly, for they understood the demands of righteousness and the gravity of the moment. Speaking in accordance with dharma, they remarked, “This descendant of Kuśika, Viśvāmitra, is a sage of intense wrath. Whatever he has declared must be fulfilled without question, for the revered one, equal to Agni in power, will not hesitate to utter a curse if angered.” Recognizing the urgency, they resolved that the sacrifice must proceed, so that Triśaṅku, the descendant of Ikṣvāku, might ascend to heaven in his own body through the might of Viśvāmitra. With this decision, the sages commenced the sacrifice, each undertaking their appointed tasks. Viśvāmitra, radiant with brilliance, became the officiating priest, while the other priests, skilled in sacred mantras, performed their duties in the proper order. All the rites were carried out meticulously, in accordance with prescribed procedures and rules. For a long time, the ritual continued, and Viśvāmitra, steadfast in his austerity, invoked the share of all the gods. Yet, none of the gods appeared to accept their offerings. At this, Viśvāmitra’s anger surged. Lifting the sacrificial ladle, he spoke fiercely 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 now, O king, to heaven in your body—a feat rarely achieved. There is indeed some fruit of my austerity that I have acquired.” As Viśvāmitra spoke, Triśaṅku began to ascend to heaven in his physical form, witnessed by the gathered sages. But as Triśaṅku reached the heavenly realm, Indra, king of the gods, together with all the celestial hosts, addressed him: “Triśaṅku, return! You have not earned a place in heaven.” Indra then pronounced, “Struck down by your teacher’s curse, O fool, fall to earth headfirst!” Thus commanded by Mahendra, Triśaṅku was cast down, plummeting headfirst toward the earth. In desperation, Triśaṅku cried out, “Save me!” to Viśvāmitra, the possessor of immense austerity. Hearing his plea, Viśvāmitra’s anger intensified. He commanded, “Stop, stop!” and shone among the sages like another Prajāpati. Overwhelmed by wrath, Viśvāmitra created anew the seven sages who dwell in the southern path, and established another lineage of stars. Turning to the southern direction, surrounded by other sages, he fashioned a new constellation, his mind clouded by anger. In his fury, Viśvāmitra declared, “I will make another Indra—or else let the world be without an Indra!” and began to create new deities as well. Alarmed by these extraordinary acts, all the hosts of sages, gods, and asuras approached Viśvāmitra with great respect, offering 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 the deities with powerful speech: “I have given my word for Triśaṅku’s bodily ascent. I cannot act falsely. Let heaven be eternal for Triśaṅku in his body, and let all these stars of mine remain fixed. As long as the worlds endure, let these all remain; and whatever the gods have done, you ought to approve.” The gods, thus addressed, replied, “So be it. Let all these remain, and may good fortune be yours.” In the sky, outside the path of Agni, those many stars blazed among the heavenly lights. Triśaṅku, with his head downward, remained like an immortal, and the newly created lights followed the best of kings. Thus, Viśvāmitra achieved his purpose and fame, attaining the heavenly world for Triśaṅku, and was praised by all the gods. In the midst of sages, mighty ones, and ascetics, the gods confirmed, “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, hear the sixty-first sarga of the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Bālakāṇḍa. Viśvāmitra, of great splendor, observed the sages departing and addressed the forest-dwelling ascetics: “A great obstacle has arisen in the southern direction; let us go elsewhere to perform our austerities.” He suggested, “In the vast western region, at Puṣkara, we will comfortably practice austerities. That forest is indeed pleasant for asceticism.” Thus resolved, the great sage, endowed with immense energy, undertook fierce and unassailable austerities at Puṣkara, subsisting only on roots and fruits. At that very time, Ambarīṣa, the illustrious ruler of Ayodhya, began preparations for a grand sacrifice. However, Indra seized the sacrificial animal intended for the ritual. When the animal was lost, the priest spoke to the king: “O King, the animal brought for the sacrifice has been lost due to your negligence. Faults destroy a king who does not protect. This is a great atonement, O best among men; quickly bring the animal before the ritual proceeds.” Hearing the words of his preceptor, the wise and illustrious king searched among thousands of cows for the missing sacrificial animal.