|| om tat sat ||

ततः संतप्तहृदयः स्मरन् निग्रहमात्मनः ।
विनिश्श्वस्य विनिश्श्वस्य कृतवैरो महात्मना ॥
'Having become an enemy with the great one, getting hold of himself and sighing repeatedly his heart was heavy with sorrow'.

Balakanda
Fifty Seventh Sarga

Satananda continued the narration of the story of Viswamitra.

'Viswamitra having become an enemy with venerable Vasishta, getting hold of himself and sighing repeatedly his heart was heavy with sorrow because of the defeat with Vasishta. Oh Raghava ! Then Viswamitra travelled south along with his queen , and then he performed severe penance with only fruits and roots as his food. There he bore sons by name Havishyanda, Madhushyanda, Dhrudhanetra and Maharatha who are dedicated to truth and righteousness. After about one thousand years of penance, Brahma the father of the three worlds spoke with Viswamitra in sweet tones. "Oh Son of Kusika ! Oh Rajarshi ! With your penance you have won over the worlds. With this penance you will be known as Rajarshi!" Then the supremely radiant Brahma went back to the divine world of Brahmaloka along with all other Devas.

'Hearing that tittle of "Rajarshi" Viswamitra felt again slighted and with his head hung down, he said to himself as follows. "A great penance has been performed. The Devas and Rishis still think of me as a Rajarshi only. I feel that I have not obtained the fruit of my penance". Oh Kakutstha ! That great performer of penance having thought over again undertook rigorous penance with his mind focussed on the Supreme being'.

'At the same time there was one Ikshwaku king by name Trisamku , a follower of truth, one who has control of his sensory organs and is well known. O Raghava ! He thought of performing a sacrifice for going to the abode of Devas along with his body ! He met Sage Vasishta and told him of his desire. Venerable Vasishta told him that it is not possible. Having been turned down by Vasishta, he went in southerly direction. To accomplish his desire he went to that place where the highly radiant sons of Vasishta were performing penance for a long time'.

The famed king saw the master's sons doing their penance. Bowing to all the respected ones , with his head hung down and feeling a little ashamed he paid obeisance to all.

Then he spoke. "I am seeking protection from you who can give protection. May all be well with you. I am desirous of performing a great sacrifice to go to the abode of Devas along with my body. My request has been denied by sage Vasishta. I am seeking your approval. Paying obeisance to all my master's sons I am seeking their permission. I am paying respects to the Brahmans who are performing penance. All of you assembled here can fulfill my desire and conduct the sacrifice. Vasishta has denied my request. I do not see any other way than approaching you, my master's sons. For all Ikshwaku the venerable Vasishta is the one to lead the way. The priests are knowledgeable people. They always help out the king. After Vasishta you are all my gods. So please help me ".

|| Thus the fifty seventh Sarga of Balakanda in Valmiki Ramayan comes to an end ||

|| om tat sat||

इक्ष्वाकूणां हि सर्वेषां पुरोधाः परमां गतिं ।
पुरोधसस्तु विद्वांसः तारयंति सदा नृपान् ।
तस्मादनंतरं सर्वे भवंतो दैवतं मम ॥

For all Ikshwakus the Chief priest Vasishta is the one to lead the way. The priests are knowledgeable people. They always help out the king. After Vasishta you are all my gods.

|| om tat sat ||

|| om tat sat ||