| Trishanku - Part
II
 Feeling miserable and unhappy after Vasishta cursed him, Trishanku approached the rishis and sought their help to get relief from his curse. But none of them were prepared to help him, so heart-broken, he decided to commit suicide. He dug a pit, lit a pyre and prayed to Goddess Bhagavathi before jumping into the fire. The Goddess appeared before him and told him thus, "As your father is growing old, he wants to entrust the
responsibility of the Kingdom in your hands and retire to the forest. Committing suicide is a sinful act. Go back and wait till the ministers come for you". So saying, she disappeared.
In a state of dilemma, Trishanku came back to his ashram. By the grace of Goddess Bhagavathi, his body regained its original form. The King, who came to know about this through Sage Narada, sent his ministers to bring Trishanku back to the Kingdom, and coronated
him. Trishanku ruled his Kingdom in a very fair and honest manner. He discharged his duties without fail, and performed all the necessary austerities. His subjects respected him and were happy and contented under his rule. He ruled his country for a long time. As he grew old, he started ruminating about life after death. Vasishta told him that because of his virtuous deeds, his sins were nullified and that he was fit to go to heaven after death.
Trishanku was satisfied initially, but later he started contemplating on the prospects of going to heaven before his end came. He started believing in his idea, and was sure that there should be a way in the Sastras. When he expressed his wish to Vasishta, the latter explained patiently that it was not possible and that there was no solution in the Sastras. Trishanku sought the help of Vasishta's sons, but they laughed at his wish and ridiculed him.This enraged Trishanku, and he avowed that he would make it possible without their help. Vasishta's sons, taken aback by his audacity, cursed him to become 'Sandalan' (live among the low-caste people).
 Trishanku returned to the forest and started living in Ambavanam. His son
Harishchandra sent the ministers to bring him back, but Trishanku did not relent. He spent most of his time in prayer. Meanwhile, Viswamitra, who had gone to River Gomathi for doing penance, came back home. He enquired his wife as to how she managed to survive the severe drought. She explained to him about the difficulties she had faced and how Sathyavrathan had helped her and their children by offering food everyday, for their survival. She went on to add that Sathyavrathan, as a result of the curse, was living in Ambavanam.
Viswamitra was touched by Sathyavrathan's kind gesture shown in his absence, and felt obligated. He wanted to reciprocate and hence, went to Ambavanam to see him. Viswamitra met Trishanku in his 'Sandalan' state and when the latter told him about his wish, Viswamitra decided to help him. He started making arrangements for a
Yagna.
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