Harishchandra (सत्यहरिश्चन्द्रः)
Raja Harishchandra (सत्यहरिश्चन्द्रः) was the son of Raja Trishanku, belonging to the Suryavamsha or Ikshvaku dynasty.[1]
During a hunt in the forest, Raja Harishchandra once promised to help a brahmana with money for his son’s wedding. The brahmana, who was Vishwamitra in disguise, eventually came to Ayodhya and asked for the Raja's entire kingdom, horses, elephants, treasury, everything. The Raja was helpless and had to give up everything.
Not satisfied with this, Vishwamitra then asked for 2 and 1/2 measures (Éar) of gold as dakshina. Harishchandra sought some time and left for Kashi with his wife and son. Vishwamitra hounded him there, and demanded the dakshina again. Harishchandra’s wife offered to sell herself as a servant to get the money for the dakshina. The son was also sold along with her.
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 transaction with the proceeds![2]
References
- ↑ Vettam. Mani, (1975). Puranic encyclopaedia : A comprehensive dictionary with special reference to the epic and Puranic literature. Delhi:Motilal Banasidass.
- ↑ Agarwal, Sanjay. (2010) Daan and Other Giving Traditions in India. New Delhi: AccountAid, India