Changes

However, the proceeds were still not sufficient for the dakshina. Therefore, Harishchandra sold himself to a Chandala, to tend to the funeral pyres. He then finally concluded the [[Dana (दानम्)|dana]] transaction with the proceeds!<ref name=":02">Agarwal, Sanjay. (2010) ''Daan and Other Giving Traditions in India.'' New Delhi: AccountAid, India</ref>

However, the proceeds were still not sufficient for the dakshina. Therefore, Harishchandra sold himself to a Chandala, to tend to the funeral pyres. He then finally concluded the [[Dana (दानम्)|dana]] transaction with the proceeds!<ref name=":02">Agarwal, Sanjay. (2010) ''Daan and Other Giving Traditions in India.'' New Delhi: AccountAid, India</ref>

== Markendeya Purana ==

== Markandeya Purana ==

Markendeya Purana details the story of Satyavaadi Raja Harishchandra. While hunting in a forest, he heard a woman cry for help. He could not figure out where she was and started calling out for her. This disturbed the penance of sage Vishwamitra. He was angry and wanted to know why he was disturbing his penance.  

Markandeya Purana details the story of Satyavaadi Raja Harishchandra. While hunting in a forest, he heard a woman cry for help. He could not figure out where she was and started calling out for her. This disturbed the penance of sage Vishwamitra. He was angry and wanted to know why he was disturbing his penance.  

Harishchandra introduced himself as a king who was very benevolent and generous. He requested sage Vishwamitra to ask for some charity from him. Vishwamitra said that he planned to conduct a yajna and that Harishchandra could give him gold for the purpose of giving dakshina to yajna-purohitas. The king said it was very less and insisted that he ask for more. So, Vishwamitra asked for whole of his kingdom including people, animals, treasury and army. When these were given, the Harishchandra became a destitute. He had to leave his kingdom. He was not able to give the promised gold dakshina to Vishwamitra. Since he had already given his word, he asked for a month's time to fulfill his promise to which Vishwamitra agreed.

Harishchandra introduced himself as a king who was very benevolent and generous. He requested sage Vishwamitra to ask for some charity from him. Vishwamitra said that he planned to conduct a yajna and that Harishchandra could give him gold for the purpose of giving dakshina to yajna-purohitas. The king said it was very less and insisted that he ask for more. So, Vishwamitra asked for whole of his kingdom including people, animals, treasury and army. When these were given, the Harishchandra became a destitute. He had to leave his kingdom. He was not able to give the promised gold dakshina to Vishwamitra. Since he had already given his word, he asked for a month's time to fulfill his promise to which Vishwamitra agreed.