Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

King Trisanku

King Trisanku - meaning Summary

Ambition Suspended Between Worlds

Longfellow recounts the myth of Viswamitra raising King Trisanku toward the gods, only for the offended deities to thrust him back so he remains suspended between earth and heaven. The narrative becomes an emblem: human ambition and spiritual striving elevate us, while fear, rejection, or divine limits pull us down. The poem ends by equating this mythic suspension with the conflicted human heart, torn between aspiration and doubt.

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Viswamitra the Magician, By his spells and incantations, Up to Indra's realms elysian Raised Trisanku, king of nations. Indra and the gods offended Hurled him downward, and descending In the air he hung suspended, With these equal powers contending. Thus by aspirations lifted, By misgivings downward driven, Human hearts are tossed and drifted Midway between earth and heaven.

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