Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 9.7.5-6
Ūti· What drives us to actTriśaṅku’s Ascent and Fall
“The son of Tribandhana was Satyavrata, who is celebrated by the name Triśaṅku. Because he kidnapped the daughter of a brāhmaṇa when she was being married, his father cursed him to become a caṇḍāla, lower than a śūdra. Thereafter, by the influence of Viśvāmitra, he went to the higher planetary system, the heavenly planets, in his material body, but because of the prowess of the demigods he fell back downward. Nonetheless, by the power of Viśvāmitra, he did not fall all the way down; even today he can still be seen hanging in the sky, head downward.”
What the purport teaches
- Tribandhana’s son Satyavrata is celebrated as Triśaṅku. Because he kidnapped a brāhmaṇa’s daughter during her marriage, his father cursed him to become a caṇḍāla, described here as lower than a śūdra.
- By Viśvāmitra’s influence, Triśaṅku reached the heavenly planets in his material body. The prowess of the demigods caused him to fall downward.
- Viśvāmitra’s power stopped him from falling all the way down. The translation describes him as still hanging in the sky, head downward.
Try this today
Pause before one action today and consider whether it could harm someone else.
Ask yourself
What does Triśaṅku’s punishment lead me to consider about the consequences of harming others?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points, practice and question are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport. Read the full purport to go deeper.