Trishanku (), born Satyavrata, is a king of the Suryavamsha (Solar dynasty) featured in Hindu texts. His legend is described in the epic Ramayana. He is the father of Harishchandra. Etymology The name Triśaṅku is a combination of Sanskrit words Tri meaning 'three' and śaṅku (शङ्कु) meaning 'stumps', thus the name means 'three stumps', likely denoting to the alignment of stars of the Southern Cross constellation. Legend Curse of Vasishta According to legend, Satyavrata was an impious and lustful prince. He is described to have been banished by his father, Trayyāruṇa, for stealing a Brahmin bride from her wedding ceremony. Holding the royal preceptor, Vasishta, responsible for his prescription of the punishment, Satyavrata nursed a great hatred towards him. He is described to have greatly assisted the preceptor's traditional rival, Vishvamitra, when the latter's family suffered due to hunger, offering them food daily during a severe drought. Once, when he was unable to find any game after a day of hunting, the hungry prince came across Nandini, Vasishta's beloved cow. He vengefully slew the cow, cooked it, and offered its meat to the unsuspecting family of Vishvamitra. When Vasishta realised what had occurred, he cursed the prince to become a chandala, and declared that he would henceforth be called Trishanku (three sins), referring to his actions of provoking the fury of his father, his abduction of another man’s bride, and his consumption of the flesh of a cow. Ascent to heaven The story of Trishanku's ascent to heaven is told in the Bala Kanda portion of the Valmiki Ramayana. The king had been promised a place in Svarga (the abode of the celestial deities) by the sage Vishvamitra. The sage engaged in a solitary yajna to achieve this, not joined by other sages due to instructions from Sage Vasishta. Due to the power of the sage's ceremony, the king ascended to the gates of Svarga. The devas reported this to Indra, who angrily kicked Trishanku from the abode because of his low birth, sending him hurtling towards the earth. Vishvamitra was able to halt his fall mid-way during his descent, and so the king was left suspended in the air. Indra opted to create a new Svarga below his own Svarga as a compromise, just for the residence of Trishanku. In retort, Vishvamitra created a new Indra and devas to occupy the new heaven with the king. Terrified of the