The quest for Immortality has always taken these two routes. The sages and seers identified with the inner being seek to discover the immortal Self within. The man identified with the outer being seeks to discover the immortality of the body.
There is however a third position. It is the man who having discovered the immortal Self within wants to perfect the bodily life as well so that the robe can be befitting to the immortal soul. He wants the bodily instrument to be as perfect as the Divine Self within so that all can be of a single mint, the dress no less than the wearer.
It is this third position that King Trishaku represents. He knows the soul within and his quest for physical immortality is not like the Asura who wants physical immortality not as an instrument of the Divine Self but rather to stamp his ego unfettered upon the world. While the Asura is denied physical immortality outright, Trishaku hangs in-between. It is quite symbolic signifying that while his aspiration is admitted, its fulfilment is denied. It means that the time was not ripe for the fulfilment of this aspiration. But one day it will be granted and the human body will have its own divine fulfilment as the soul within.
Affectionately,
Alok Da
