("three transgressions") In Hindu mythology, the
Solar Line's celebrated ruler.
He is born with the name Satyavrata, but the sage Vasishtha
curses him to be known as Trishanku because of three big sins: he kidnaps
another man's wife, he angers his father, and he consumes meat (which he gained
by killing Vasishtha's cow).
Along with this unflattering moniker, Vasishtha curses
Trishanku with the status of a chandala (untouchable), which he bears for a
period before being returned to his throne.
Trishanku is a decent king after recovering his throne, yet
he wishes to be carried physically into paradise.
Vasishtha and his sons mock Trishanku's wish, but the sage
Vishvamitra, who has a long history of feuding with Vasishtha, becomes an ally.
Vishvamitra makes the sacrifice to transport Trishanku to
heaven, but when he reaches, Indra, the king of heaven, pushes him back down,
and Trishanku falls headfirst.
Trishanku is ordered to stay still by Vishvamitra, and since
Indra won't allow him up and Vishvamitra won't let him down, he is hung in
midair.
When Vishvamitra threatens to create a new Indra for the new
heaven, Indra relents and takes Trishanku to heaven in his physical form.
Trishanku has subsequently become a metaphorical term for someone
caught between two choices.
