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VISWAMITRA'S
EPISODE
Balakanda
of Ramayana' brings out vividly sage Viswamitra's life with all the
ups and downs occurred on this divyabhumi. His career starts here
with selection of this place exuding sublimity for doing penance,
which he ultimately made his permanent settlement. While he was
carrying on his meditation and spiritual activities, king Trisanku
driven out of heaven for entering in physical form approached him
for fulfillment of his long-cherished ambition of going to heaven in
his mortal frame and living with the same among the gods. Utilizing
his tapas-sakti, he created a new heaven for Trisanku; alas! it
exposed the vulnerability of heaven's power. A clear case of his
spectacular victory! Heaven then made a compromise with him by
assuring Trisanku a fit place in heaven. On another occasion,
Sunahpsepa an unfortunate muni balaka unwilling to be sacrificed at
a yaga by Ambarisha, whose sacrificial cow was stolen by Indra
sought Viswamitra's compassionate assistance to save his life.
Pitying him, he asked every one of his sons to substitute for
Sunahpsepa. On refusal, he cursed them -and by giving two special
gathas to Indra,' he saved the saranagatha. This is, yet another
colourful feather in his cap.
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