Life History of Sages 

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Harischandra - Part 2

Harischandra saluted the Brahmin, introduced himself and explained how he lost his way while chasing a Boar. He further added that after performing Rajasuya Yaga, he had taken a vow to fulfill the wishes of his people. The Brahmin appeared happy and requested the King to have a bath and confirm his vow. The King did so and the Brahmin asked for money to perform his daughter's wedding. The King, unaware of the consequences, readily agreed to it. The Brahmin then showed the King the way to his palace and left.

Then he made all the necessary arrangements for his daughter's wedding and returned to the palace to ask for the promised money. The King asked him to name the amount and Viswamitra, who was in the disguise of the Brahmin, asked for the palace, elephants, horses, chariots and all his other belongings. Harischandra though shocked, did not reveal his feelings, and agreed to give them away. Thus, the palace and his belongings were given to Viswamitra, but the Brahmin was not satisfied. There is a rule in the Sastras that whenever a 'Daanam' or donation is given to a Brahmin, money should be given along with that, otherwise the 'Daanam' becomes fruitless. So when the King enquired the Brahmin as to how much he wanted, the latter asked for a prodigious amount which made the King unhappy and sad.

Harischandra pleaded with the Brahmin saying, ''O Learned one! Please accept my palace and my belongings. Chandramathi and I will leave the kingdom. Since I have donated everything to you, I don't have the money to give you now. Therefore, please accept my donations now and the money later". He promised to give the money in a month's time and that till he gave the money, he would abstain from food.The Brahmin agreed half-heartedly, and Harischandra left the kingdom followed by Chandramathi and their son.

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Harischandra with his family reached Kasi and started living there. When the stipulated time was over, the Brahmin came to him and demanded the promised money. But Harischandra, who was unable to give him the amount, was paralysed with anguish. Chandramathi who was watching her husband, couldn't bear to see him in such a position and offered to sell herself to pay the Brahmin. Harischandra's eyes swelled up with tears on hearing her words, but being in a helpless situation, he agreed to her proposal. He sold her to a Brahmin from a neighbouring village (who was also Viswamitra in disguise), took the money and came to the Brahmin to pay him his due.

Published by Kala Nilayam
Ramakrishna Mutt Road,
Mylapore, Chennai - 4

By AV Sugavaneshwaran
Tr. by Radha N.

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Published on 21st Aug 2003

 

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