Raja Harishchandra's Truthfulness

King Harishchandra of Ayodhya was renowned throughout the universe for his unshakeable commitment to truth (Satya) and Dharma. To test his resolve, Sage Vishwamitra approached the king in a dream (and later in reality) and asked for his entire kingdom as a donation. Bound by his word, Harishchandra willingly gave up his throne and all his wealth.

Vishwamitra then demanded the Dakshina (customary fee) for the donation. Penniless, Harishchandra asked for a month to arrange it. To pay the debt, the great king went to Kashi and did the unthinkable: he sold his beloved wife Taramati and young son Rohitashva as slaves to a Brahmin.

Still short of the full amount, Harishchandra sold himself to an untouchable outcaste (Chandal) who managed the cremation grounds. The once-mighty king now spent his days collecting fees from the grieving families to burn corpses.

Tragedy struck when his son Rohitashva died of a snakebite. Taramati carried her dead child to the cremation ground in the dead of night. She had no money to pay the cremation fee. Harishchandra recognized his wife and dead son, and his heart shattered. Yet, bound by duty to his master, he refused to cremate his own son without the fee.

Taramati, honoring his Dharma, tore her only garment in half to offer it as the fee. As she did, the gods, led by Yama (Dharma) and Indra, appeared. Vishwamitra revealed it was all a severe test.

Rohitashva was brought back to life, and the kingdom was restored. Harishchandra proved that truth is the highest law, more important than wealth, family, or life itself.