A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature c5.2130

c5.2130

While he was engaged in austerities for accomplishing his object of becoming a Brāhman he became connected with King Tri-sanku. This monarch was a descendant of King Ikshwāku, and desired to perform a sacrifice in virtue of which he might ascend bodily to heaven. His priest, Vasishtha, declared it to be impossible, and that priest’s hundred sons, on being applied to, refused to undertake what their father had declined. When the king told them that he would seek some other means of accomplishing his object, they condemned him to become a Chandāla. In this condition he had resort to Viswāmitra, and he, taking pity on him, raised him to heaven in his bodily form, notwithstanding the opposition of the sons of Vasishtha. The Hari-vansa version of this story is different. Tri-sanku, also called Satya-vrata, had attempted the abduction of the young wife of a citizen. For this his father banished him, and condemned him to “the performance of a silent penance for twelve years.” During his exile there was a famine, and Tri-sanku succoured and supported the wife and family of Viswāmitra, who were reduced to the direst extremity in that sage’s absence.