King Harishchandra was famous throughout Aryavarta for his truth, justice and promise-keeping. No one was unhappy in his kingdom, everyone lived happily and peacefully. One day Maharishi Vishwamitra decided to test him. He went to the king and said, “O king, you had promised me a donation at the time of a yagya. Now I have come to take the same donation.”
The king said politely, “Rishivar, whatever you want, I am ready to give.” Vishwamitra said- “I want my entire kingdom.” Harishchandra said without any delay – “Rishi Shivara, the kingdom is yours.” He abandoned his throne and headed towards the forest with his wife Taramati and son Rohitashva.
Vishwamitra said, “The kingdom is mine, but the Dakshina for the Yagya is still pending.” The king said, “I have nothing left, but I will not break my promise. I will work hard and give dakshina.” He went to Banaras and started working in a crematorium, where he used to burn the pyres of dead bodies. King Harishchandra’s wife Taramati used to wash clothes there and his son Rohitashva used to collect wood.
One day fate gave him an even harsher test, his son died of snakebite. Taramati took his dead body to the crematorium, but Harishchandra was bound by his duty. “I will have to pay the cremation fee as per the rules,” he said. Taramati cried – “I am your wife, this is your son.” The king said in a serious voice, “Here I am not a king, but only a slave. I have to fulfill my duty.”
Then a voice came from the sky – “King, your test is complete. The sufferings you endured to protect truth and religion are an example for the world.” The gods appeared, the son came back to life and Harishchandra got his kingdom back.