Triśanku

Also known as: King Triśanku / Trisanku · Role: king · First appears: Book I, Canto 57 · Trisanku

In Book I, Canto 57, Triśanku fathered four sons: Havishyand, Madhushyand, Mahárath, and Driḍhanetra. He sought the help of his priest, Vaśishṭha, to reach heaven alive, but Vaśishṭha refused; Triśanku then went to Vaśishṭha’s sons and asked them to take part in the rite. In Canto 58, they cursed him, and he was transformed into a Chaṇḍála.

In Canto 60, Viśvámitra raised Triśanku bodily into the sky. Indra rejected him and sent him falling, but Viśvámitra stopped his descent and asked that he remain in heaven among the stars. Later, in Canto 70, Triśanku is named as the son of Prithu and the father of Dhundhumár; in Book VI, Canto 4, he is recalled as Ikshváku’s son and an elder kinsman of Ráma and Lakshmaṇ.

Relationship record

Life events

• Triśanku fathered four sons.(Book I, Canto 57 · Trisanku)
  • With: Havishyand Madhushyand Mahárath Driḍhanetra
  • “And in that solitary spot Four virtuous sons the king begot: Havishyand, from the offering named, And Madhushyand, for sweetness famed, Mahárath, chariot-borne in fight, And Driḍhanetra strong of sight.”
• Vaśishṭha refused Triśanku's request to help him reach heaven alive.(Book I, Canto 57 · Trisanku)
  • With: Vaśishṭha
  • “His priest Vaśishṭha’s aid he sought, And told him of his secret thought. But wise Vaśishṭha showed the hope Was far beyond the monarch’s scope.”
• Triśanku left to seek help from Vaśishṭha’s sons after his request was denied.(Book I, Canto 57 · Trisanku)
  • With: Vaśishṭha
  • “Triśanku then, his suit denied, Far to the southern region hied, To beg Vaśishṭha’s sons to aid The mighty plan his soul had made.”
• Triśanku asked Vaśishṭha’s sons to help him perform a rite to reach heaven alive.(Book I, Canto 57 · Trisanku)
  • With: Havishyand Madhushyand Mahárath Driḍhanetra
  • “And pray you each with ready heart In my great rite to bear a part, That in the body I may rise And dwell with Gods within the skies.”
• Vaśishṭha’s sons cursed Triśanku, transforming him into a Chaṇḍála.(Book I, Canto 58 · Trisanku Cursed)
  • “‘Be to a vile Chaṇḍála turned!’ This said, with lofty thoughts inspired, Each to his own retreat retired. That night Triśanku underwent Sad change in shape and lineament. Next morn, an outcast swart of hue, His dusky cloth he round him drew.”
• Viśvámitra's power raises Triśanku bodily into the sky.(Book I, Canto 60 · Trisanku’s Ascension)
  • With: Viśvámitra
  • “His speech had scarcely reached its close, When, as he stood, the sovereign rose, And mounted swiftly to the skies Before the wondering hermits’ eyes.”
• Indra rejects Triśanku and sends him falling back toward earth.(Book I, Canto 60 · Trisanku’s Ascension)
  • With: Indra
  • “With thy best speed, Triśanku, flee: Here is no home prepared for thee. By thy great master’s curse brought low, Go, falling headlong, earthward go.”
• Viśvámitra stops Triśanku’s fall when he calls for help.(Book I, Canto 60 · Trisanku’s Ascension)
  • With: Viśvámitra
  • “And Viśvámitra heard his cry, And marked him falling from the sky, And giving all his passion sway, Cried out in fury, ‘Stay, O stay!’”
• The Gods grant Viśvámitra’s request to keep Triśanku in heaven among his stars.(Book I, Canto 60 · Trisanku’s Ascension)
  • With: Viśvámitra Indra
  • “And ’mid them hung, as one divine, Head downward shall Triśanku shine; And all thy stars shall ever fling Their rays attendant on the king.”

Book I, Canto 57 · Trisanku

• subordinate: Vaśishṭha “His priest Vaśishṭha’s aid he sought, And told him of his secret thought.”
• enemies with Viśvámitra “Still brooding on his overthrow By the great saint he had defied,”
• elder kin: Ikshváku “Of old Ikshváku’s line he came, That glories in Triśanku’s name.”

Book I, Canto 58 · Trisanku Cursed

• mentor: Vaśishṭha (Vaśishṭha is identified as Triśanku’s priest and guide.) “That mighty saint, thy priest and guide, At noblest rites may well preside:”
• with Viśvámitra (Triśanku requests aid from Viśvámitra.) “Now deign, O blessed Saint, to aid Me, even me by Fate betrayed,”
• subordinate: Vaśishṭha (Triśanku’s priest and guide.) “That mighty saint, thy priest and guide, At noblest rites may well preside:”

Book I, Canto 59 · The Sons Of Vasishtha

• patron: Viśvámitra (Viśvámitra offers relief to the king who sought refuge with him.) “And refuge sought with Kuśik’s son.”

Book I, Canto 60 · Trisanku’s Ascension

• patron: Viśvámitra “Now by the might my merits lend, Ikshváku’s child, to heaven ascend.”
• enemies with Indra “With thy best speed, Triśanku, flee: Here is no home prepared for thee. By thy great master’s curse brought low, Go, falling headlong, earthward go.”

Book I, Canto 70 · The Maidens Sought

• parent: Prithu “From him the good Triśanku came.”
• child: Dhundhumár “He left a son renowned afar, Known by the name of Dhundhumár.”

Book II, Canto 110 · The Sons Of Ikshváku

• parent: Prithu “From him the wise Triśanku came:”
• child: Dhundhumár “He left a son renowned afar, Known by the name of Dhundhumár.”

Book VI, Canto 4 · The March

• parent: Ikshváku “And great Triśanku, glorious king, Ikshváku’s son from whom we spring,”
• younger kin: Ráma “And great Triśanku, glorious king, Ikshváku’s son from whom we spring,”
• younger kin: Lakshmaṇ “And great Triśanku, glorious king, Ikshváku’s son from whom we spring,”

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Extracted from the original text of The Rámáyan of Válmíki. Made with Rho MD.