Harishchandra: The King Who Never Lied

The story

Harishchandra, an early king of the Ikshvaku line, was known for two things: he never told a lie and never went back on a promise. Sage Vishwamitra tested him. The king, having given his word, handed over his entire kingdom to the sage. Vishwamitra then demanded the customary dakshina on top of the gift. With nothing left, Harishchandra went to Kashi, sold his wife Shaivya (also called Taramati) and his young son Rohitashva into service, and sold himself to the keeper of the cremation ground, where his work was to collect the fee for every body burned.

Then his son died of snakebite. His wife brought the body to that same ground at night, with no money for the fee. Harishchandra, recognising them, still would not cheat his master of what was due. Shaivya offered half of her only garment as payment. At that moment the gods appeared, the boy was restored to life, and Vishwamitra returned the kingdom, saying the test was complete.

Why he matters

Ram's own choice in the Ayodhya Kanda is easier to understand with this ancestor in mind. In this family, keeping one's word at ruinous cost was not an exception; it was the inheritance. In modern times Mahatma Gandhi wrote that seeing a play about Harishchandra as a boy made him ask why everyone should not be truthful like him.

What we learn

Truth is tested only when it is expensive. It is easy to be honest when honesty pays. Harishchandra's story asks whether we would still be honest when it costs our position, and whether we would bend a rule for our own family when no one is watching. Read The power of a promise.

Next in the line: Sagara.