| Harichandra - I
 Harichandra who belonged to Surya vamsa, was the son of Sathyavrathan alias Trishanku. He married Chandramathi, the daughter of King Sibi. They were blessed with a son Rohithan. Harichandra ruled his Kingdom wisely and never swerved from the path of Dharma. He was famous for his quality of speaking only the truth, and the country flourished under his rule.
Once Vasishta visited the world of Devas and it was a coincidence that Viswamitra too visited at the same time.The Devas were elated to have both the maharishis as their guests.
They were treated with utmost respect and were honoured, but Viswamitra noticed that Vasishta received more respect and attention.
He was beside himself with rage and asked Vasishta the reason for this. Vasishta described the noble virtues of King Harichandra, who belonged to the Surya vamsa, and explained that being the Rajaguru for such a great clan, he was being treated with more respect. He praised Harichandra highly, and told Viswamitra that none could equal him in speaking the truth.
Viswamitra was annoyed and embittered on hearing these words, but he was reluctant to fight with Vasishta, as it may spoil his image in front of the Devas. His anger turned on Harichandra and he took a vow to make Harichandra lie at least once.
Once when Harichandra was on a hunting trip, he met a lady who was crying in distress. When he asked her the reason, she told him that she was Sitharoopini, a Devatha who gave people what they desired and that Viswamitra was doing penance to own her. She requested the king to save her from the sage's clutches. Harichandra promised her that he would do the needful and went to Viswamitra's hermitage.
The King made enquiries and found that what the Devatha had told him was true. He approached the sage and asked him to stop his penance which would do harm to the people and returned to his Kingdom. The sage was enraged at this audacity of the King and started to plan for his downfall. He changed a Demon into a wild Boar and sent him to the King's garden. The Boar destroyed everything in sight and the gardeners were unable to drive the boar out and so they sent word to the King for help. The King came armed with weapons and started chasing the Boar. He went a long way chasing the Boar, which sometimes seemed to be in front of the king, and sometimes behind him. Thus it gave much trouble to the King and it disappeared from his sight finally. The King found himself alone in the forest and feeling thirsty, he saw a rivulet and drank water from it to quench his thirst. At that time, Viswamitra in a Brahmin's disguise arrived there.
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