VISHWAMITRA CREATES A HEAVEN FOR TRISHANKU

VISHWAMITRA CREATES A SWARGA FOR TRISHANKU

(This is the latter part of Chapter 60 in Balakanda of Sri Valmeeki Ramayana where the deities deny physical entry to Trishanku into the heaven and Vishwamitra saves him from falling back to earth. A separate heaven is created to Trishanku between the earth and the heavens. Please read, comment and share. SDN)

                  

                   Raghava, how can I describe the astonishing incident that happened then? As soon as Vishwamitra said ‘Rajan! sashareerO divam vraja’, and transferred the fruits of his penance, Chandala-looking Trishanku climbed into the heaven in front of the eyes of all the Munis due to the power of the penance of Vishwamitra.

Observing the entry of Trishanku to the world of deities, king of deities Indra, along with all the gods and goddesses, said:

                   ‘Trishanku, return to the place from where you have come. You stupid, how can you get a place in the heavens after getting cursed by your Guru? You do not have any place here. Fall back on earth with your head down and the feet up.”

                   As soon as Mahendra said these words, Trishanku started yelling “Trahi…Trahi” or “save me…save me” and was falling at a great speed towards the earth with head down and the feet up. Hearing the desperate howling of Trishanku, who was falling towards the earth, Vishwamitra became very angry at Indra for pushing down Trishanku. He shouted at Trishanku “Tishtha…Tishtha” or “stop…stop”. Due to the power of the penance of Vishwamitra, Trishanku halted midway in the sky and did fall back to Earth. Later, most radiant and furious Vishwamitra stood amidst the Rishis like a neo-Brahma and created the south-faced new Saptarshis (Great Bear or Ursa Major) and another cluster of twenty-seven Stars around the Saptarshis. Similar to the North Star that stays in the North he consecrated Trishanku in the South and made him stay there eternally. Further, he created Saptarshis and the Stars around Trishanku. With a mind that had been infected by rage, penance-hardened Vishwamitra said “I will create an alternative Indra or else let there no Indra at all in the world” and began creating all the deities in their established order of status and position. Rishis, Sura, Asura, Kinnara, Yaksha, Siddha and Charana were totally puzzled and bewildered at the strange process of creation that Vishwamitra had launched. All of them came close to Vishwamitra, consoled him with kind and pleasant words:

“Oh penance-rich great sage, this king has become a Chandala due to the curse of his Guru. Therefore, he is not eligible to enter heavens alive.”

Haring the words of deities, Vishwamitra told the Rishis, Maharshi and deities:

                   “Oh deities and great sages, wish you good luck. As he had submitted himself to me seeking shelter, I have taken an oath that I will send him to the heavens, alive. This promise should not become a lie. As promised by me, he should get into the heavens. Therefore, let the heaven where he is now staying be accepted by all of you as heaven. Let all the comforts of heaven be made available to him in the same place. This would also ensure that my promise is kept up. Let the Saptarshis and stars created by me remain in their present position. Till as long as these worlds created by Brahma exist, the heaven created by me shall be adorned with Trishanku, Saptarshis clusters and lines of stars remain in the same position you are empowered to make whatever I have demanded happen.”

                  “Vishwamitra, wish you good luck. Your creation will remain as they are now. These clusters of Stars will remain outside the orbit of other stars called Vaishwanara Patha². Glowing like burning fire at the centre of these Stars, Trishanku, who will be equal to other deities in all respects, will be eternally stationed here with his head turned downwards. The Stars created by you will follow the movement of Trishanku, who will have all comforts he would have got by entering the real heavens alive. Thereby, he will have the satisfaction of having realised his cherished desire. This will also affirm that you are a Satyavrat³.”

With all the deities and Rishies requesting him to calm down, Vishwamitra said “Badham” (it is alright) and conceded their advice. Later, Vishwamitra sought the permission of the deities and performed the Avabhruta (finale) rituals of the sacrifice he had begun. After the completion of sacrifice, deities and penance-rich Rishis sought the permission and returned to their respective places.

MADHWAVIJAYA PRATHAMAHA SARGAHA – SHLOKAS 26 and 27

(Only two stanzas are given hereunder because from the next stanza, i.e. Shloka 28 onwards, the narration shifts to Bheemavatara, incarnation of Lord Vayu as Bheema during Dwapara Yuga. Please read, comment and share. Hari SarvOttama, Vayu jeevOttama. Nakaskara – SDN)

Kim varNayAmaha paramam prasAdam SeethApatEstatra hariprabarhE|

Munchan maheem nityaniShEvaNArTham swAtmAnamEvaSha dadau yadasmai||26||

SUMMARY: How else can we describe the grace that Seethapati bestowed upon greatest monkey Sri Hanumantha after learning that at the time of renouncing the earthly life, he (Srirama) gave himself to Hanumantha for daily worship?

There are two factors to be taken note of here. One is the compassion, affection and love that Hanumantha had attracted from Srirama, This incident of the Lord giving himself to Hanumantha reminds us of the hug, the embrace that Srirama bestowed upon or conferred on Hanumantha at the end of Sundarakanda. Secondly, the words “munchan maheem” only means ‘renunciation’ or departure from this world to Vaikuntha. It is not the ‘death’ that correlates to human world.  

SwAnandahEtau BhajatAm janAnAm magnaha sadA RAmakaThAsuDhAyAm|

AsAvidAneem cha niShEvamANO RAmam patim kimpuruShE kilAstE||27||

Is Hanumantha not residing even now in Kimpurusha Khanda or continent, worshipping his Lord Sri Hari in the form of Srirama and always drowned in the ocean of the elixir of the story of Srirama, which is the only means for attaining salvation and which he (Hanumantha) blesses his ardent devotees with?  

It is pertinent here to state that in Panchama Skanda of Srimad Bhagavata it is clearly mentioned that Hanumantha is residing in Kimpurusha Continent, which is one among the nine continents of Jamboo Dweepa (peninsula).

VISHWAMITRA BEGINS SACRIFICE

(This is an except of Chapter 60 in Balakanda, Sr Valmeeki Ramayana where Vishwamitra launches a sacrifice to send Trishanku to the Heaven, physically. Please read, comment and share. SarvE janAha suKhinO Bhavantu. SDN)

TapObalahatAnkrutwA VAsiShThAnsamahOdayAn|

RuShimaDhyE mahAtEjA VishwAmitrOBhyaBhAShata||1||

AyamikShwAkudAyAdastrishankuriti vishrutaha|

DharmiShThashcha vadAnyashcha mAm chaiva sharaNam gataha|

TEnAnEna shareerENa dEvalOkajigeeShayA||2||

YaThAyam swashareerENa swargalOkam gamiShyati|

TaThA pravartyatAm yajnO BhavadBhishcha mayA saha||3||

VishwAmitravachaha shrutwA sarva yEva maharShayaha|

Oochuhu samEtya sahitA DharmajnA Dharmasahmitam||4||

Ayam kushikadAyAdO munihi paramakOpanaha|

YaThAha vachanam samyagEtatkAryam na samshayaha||5||

Sitting in the midst of sages, saints, priests, Brahmins and scholars, Vishwamitra killed Vasishtha, Mahodaya and the 100 children of Vasishtha with the divine power of his penance through the curse and then told those sitting around him:  

“Great sages this King belongs to Ikshwaku dynasty. He is popularly called as Trishanku. He is highly cultured, virtuous, pious and philanthropic. Now, he wants to go to heaven alive, without sacrificing the corporal body. He has surrendered to me to realise his desire. Let us all join together and perform a sacrifice that can enable him to go to heaven with the corporal body.”

The learned, culture-bound and wise Maharshis, who had just witnessed the intensity of the rage of Vishwamitra, began discussing among themselves about the sanctity and validity of the proposed sacrifice:

“Vishwamitra of Kushi dynasty is very short-tempered. It appears that we should do whatever he says. There can be no doubt about his statement. If this fire-like Vishwamitra gets angry, he will curse all of us. Therefore, let any sacrifice that carries the corporal body to heaven be begun in right earnest. We need not have a bit of doubt about Trishanku, the beacon of Ikshwaku dynasty, physically going into the heavens. Let us start the sacrifice in the manner that Vishwamitra tells us to do. Let all the Rutvijas occupy the seats convenient to perform the Artijya. All of you should start discharging the duties assigned to respective individual.”

After conversing among themselves, the Maharshis informed their opinion to Vishwamitra and began the preparations for the sacrifice. In that sacrifice, which was taken up in the name of Trishanku, most radiant ascetic Vishwamitra was the Adhwaryu¹. Rishis, who had thorough knowledge of all hymns and were aware of the specific occasion for chanting each hymn in a particular method, including variations in sound, allowing the pause, repetition of certain lines or words, performed the sacrifice strictly in accordance with the norms mentioned in the epics and as per the established modalities. The sacrifice went on in the right way. Penance-expert Vishwamitra chanted relevant hymns for several days, invited the respective deities to receive their share of offering of Havis. He invited them again and again. Yet, none of the deities arrived. This enraged Vishwamitra. Lifting his hand in which had kept the Sruva, an offering, upwards, Vishwamitra, who was still in a fit of ferocity, told Trishanku:

“Oh Trishanku, as promised to you, I will definitely send you to the heaven. At least you may now see the power of the penance I have so far done. Just watch! I will send you to the heaven in your present Chandala form itself with the positive energy I have acquired from the penance.

Lord of Lords, go to the heaven, where none can go, in your present body alone. At least a portion of the power of penance I have done all these years will be with you and with that power of my penance, you can physically enter the heaven.”

MADHWAVIJAYA PRATHAMAHA SARGAHA – SHLOKAS 20, 21, 22

Sa dAritArim paramam pumAmsam samanvayAseennaradEvaputryA|
VahnipravEshADhigatAtmashudhDhyA virAjitam kAnchanamAlayEva||20||

SUMMARY: Having killed the enemies and accompanied by Seetha Devi, who had proved her chastity and purity to the world by entering into the flames of fire, Srirama dazzled like gold purified in fire; Hanumantha followed Him.

It is indicated here that Hanumantha stayed with Srirama in Ayodhya. Earlier, he was with Sugreeva.

ShyAmam smitAsyam pruThudeerGhahastam sarOjanEtram gajarAjayAtram|
VapurjaganmangalamESha drugBhyAm chirAdayODhyADhipatEhe siShEvE||21||

SUMMARY: Looking at the physique of Srirama that bestows welfare upon the universe; a countenance that was adored in Shyamala Varna, a face that wears a pleasant smile always, long and strong arms, eyes that are reminiscent of lotus petals and a stoic movement that resembles the walking style of an elephant, Hanumantha served his Lord for a long time.

The scriptures mention nine types of Sevas or services that can be submitted or offered to the Lord and Hanumantha served the Lord by offering all these types of services, which include seeing, hearing, watching and so on. These services are:

ShravaNam keertanam ViShNOho smaraNam pAdasEvanam|
Archanam vandanam dAsyam saKhyamAtmanivEdanam||

RAjyABhiShEkE(a)vasitE(a)tra SeethA prEShThAya nastAm BhajatAm dishEti|
RAmasya vANyA maNimanjumAlAvyAjEna deerGhAm karuNAm babanDha||22||

SUMMARY: After the coronation, Srirama gave to Seetha a celestial necklace and asked her to “honour anyone you think has been our most ardent servant and devotee”. By putting that necklace of beads around the neck of Hanumantha, Seetha promised to him her incessant and infinite compassion, kindness and affection.

This incident amply proves that the thought waves of both Srirama and Seetha were one and the same. Srirama and Seetha also showed to the world that Hanumantha, an incarnation of Lord Vayu, is their most intimate, dedicated and convicted devotee.

This incident has been elaborately described in Sri Valmeeki Ramayana as well as Sangraha Ramayana.

(The devotion of Hanumantha towards Srirama needs no explanation. Yet remembering the various ways he conducted himself with Lord Hari and Sri Lakshmi is meritorious. Such remembrance eradicates our sins of past lives and earns the grace of the Lord. Please read, comment and share. SDN)

VISHWAMITRA CURVSES VASISHTHA’S SONS

(After hearing the grievance of Trishanku, Vishwamitra sends invitation to all Rishis and Maharshis to the proposed sacrifice. When Vasishtha’s sons refuse to come, Vishwamitra curses them too. Please read, comment and share. SDN) 

KShatriyO yAjakO yasya chaNDAlasya vishEShataha|
KaTham sadasi BhOktArO havistasya surarShayaha||13||

BrAhmaNA vA mAhAtmAnO BhuktvA chaNDAlaBhOjanam|
KaTham swargam gamiShyanti VishwAmitrENa pAlitAha||14||

‘Chandala is the performer of the sacrifice and the one conducting it is a Kshatriya. How can the deities accept the offerings and Rishis consume the food served in such an untraditional and insane sacrifice? Great Brahmins might lead a happy life in this world because of the bountiful charity they receive as they have been summoned by Vishwamitra. But, what will be their fate in the hereafter? Having consumed the food served by a Chandala, how will they secure heavens?’
Great sage, we repeated the same words you had asked us to tell with Mahodaya Muni and the infuriated, red-eyed sons of Vasishtha, without any bias or hesitation.
Vishwamitra was infuriated after hearing the words of his disciples. His eyes turned red and the lips began stuttering. Making a crackling sound from his jaws, he said:
“I am doing a very fierce penance and hence no defect or drawback can touch me2. Have those evil-souls abused a person of my stature? They should undergo appropriate punishment for their sin. All of them will be instantly burnt into ashes due to my curse. There can be lest doubt about this. Right now, they will be strangled by the God of Death with his strangle and dragged into the Yamaloka. Not merely this much. They will take seven hundred births in a community that indulges in bisecting carcasses and eating them. During those future births, their only food will be the mutton of dead dogs. They will be popularly known as Mushtikas in the world3. Always being very cruel and awkward-looking, they will continue to follow the community that follows similar bad practices. Did evil-minded Mahodaya also abuse me, along with Vasishtha’s sons, when I certainly cannot be criticized in that manner? Because of that, he will be despised in all the worlds. In addition, he will also become a Nishada4. Bereft of kindness, indulging in harming animals and always attracting the negative energy due to commitment of such sins, he will be in an insane situation for a long time.
After cursing the sons of Vasishtha and Mahodaya in the midst of other ascetics, most radiant and penance-bound Vishwamitra rested.

Vishwamitra agrees to help Trishanku

(This is the first part of Chapter 59, Balakanda, Sri Valmeeki Ramayana. Please read, comment and share. SDN)

UktavAkyam tu rAjAnam krupayA kushikAtmajaha|

AbraveenmaDhuram vAkyam sAkShAchChaNDAlarUpiNam||1||

AikshwAka swAgatam vatsa jAnAmi twAm suDhArmikam|

SharaNam tE BhaviShyAmi mA BhaiSheernrupapungava||2||

AhamAmantrayE sarvAnmaharSheenpudNyakarmaNaha|

YajnasAhyakarAnrAjamstatO yakShyasi nirvrutaha||3||

GurushApakrutam rUpam yadidam twayi vartatE|

AnEna saha rUpENa sashareerO gamiShyasi||4||

After hearing the words of Trishanku, Kushika’s son Vishwamitra showed empathy to Chandal-looking king and said these words directly:

“Oh descendant of Ikshwaku dynasty, my child, I offer you welcome. I am aware that you are a virtuous and cultured king. I am therefore giving you the shelter¹. Do not fear. I will personally invite deserving and eligible Rishis and Maharshis to be Artijyas and to assist in the sacrifice. Afterwards, you can perform the sacrifice without any inhibition. If the Chandal form you have secured due to the curse of Guru were to remain unchanged, then you will enter the heaven in the same form.

HastaprAptamaham manyE swargam tava narADhipa|

Yastwam KaushikamAgamya sharaNyam sharaNAgataha||5||

 I think that as soon as you surrendered to Kaushika, the protector of all those who surrender, your desire to enter heaven in human form is in your palm.”

After consoling Trishanku with these words, Rajarshi Vishwamitra assigned the duty of bringing the essential items needed for the sacrifice to his pious and knowledgeable four sons. Besides, he called all his disciples and told them:

“You should immediately bring Maharshis, their disciples, Vasishtha’s sons, their friends and Rutvijas, who are accomplished in Veda and Vedangas, as per my instruction. If anyone speaks something against my strict orders, come and report to me everything in detail, without hiding or ignoring anything.”

Hearing those words of Vishwamitra, his disciples went in various directions. Accepting the invitation of Vishwamitra, scholarly Rutvijas arrived from different countries. Disciples of Vishwamitra, who had gone to invite Maharshis, returned to the Ashram after completing the task, and began divulging the statements of ascetics about radiant Munis:

“Mahamuni, as soon as hearing your directive, Brahmins agreed to be Rutvijas and are on the way to this hermitage. Except a Maharshi called Mahodara and the one hundred children of Vasishtha, other sages from across different countries are on their way to this place. But, the one hundred sons of Vasishtha not only refused to join but also said some words with eyes that had turned red with fury. We will quote the exact words they spoke.

MADHWAVIJAYA PRATHAMAHA SARGAHA – SHLOKAS 17, 18, 19

(In these stanzas, the exemplary prowess, devotion and dedication of Hanumantha towards Srirama have been described by employing simple figures of speech. Please read, comment and share. – SDN)

Nibhadya sEtum RaGhuvamshakEtuBhrUBhangasamBhrAtapayODhimaDhyE|

MuShTiprahAram dashakAya SeethAsantarjanAgryOttaramEShakO(a)dAt||17||

SUMMARY: He (Hanumantha) built the bridge across the ocean, which had turned clueless with fear when the flagpost of the dynasty of Raghu, Srirama, raised his eyebrows in rage; he hit Ravana with his fist as a token of response for hurting and troubling Seetha Devi.

JAjwalyamAnOjwalarAGhavAgnau chakrE sa SugreevasuyAyajUkE|

AaDhwaryavam yudhDhamaKhE pratiprasThAtrA SumitrAtanayEna sAkam||18||

SUMMARY: Srirama, who was dazzling and radiant, was like the Fire God; Sugreeva was the good performer (of sacrifice) and with Lakshmana as the Rutwik named PratipratasThAstu, Hanumantha befittingly and effectively donned the role of an Adhwaryu in the sacrifice that was performed in the form of battle of Rama with Ravana.

Additional information: By comparing Hanumantha to an Adhwaryu, the poet has extolled the significant role that Hanumantha played in the sacrifice called battle.

Pratiprasthata is the title given to the priest conducting a sacrifice as per Samaveda. Same priest performing sacrifice under Rig Veda is called Hotru and under Yajur Veda he is called Udgata.

  

RAmArchanE yO nayataha prasUnam dwABhyAm karABhyAmaBhavat prayatnaha|

YEkEna dOShNAnayatO gireendram sanjeevAdyAshrayamasya nABhUt||19||

SUMMARY: Hanumantha did not so much difficulty or pain when he brought the giant mountain Gandhamadan that contained Sanjeevini and other medicinal herbs with a lone hand as he used to experience while fetching fragrant flowers in both palms for Rama to offer routine worship or puja.

Mount Gandhamadana was 100 Yojana high and 100 Yojana broad. It was situated at a distance of about 50,000 Yojanas from the battlefield. Hanumantha brought that huge mountain by one hand. What is more praiseworthy in this Shloka is that the poet has categorically stated that any service dedicated to the Lord is as easy as lifting a flower. Moreover, Hanumantha had brought Mount Gandhamadana on two occasions. Once it was to relieve Lakshmana and other monkeys from the stranglehold of Nagapasha and secondly to revive the life of Lakshmana after he was almost on the verge of death during his war with Ravana.