Raja Harishchandra

1. Answers for the Teacher’s reference:

a) Sage Vishwamitra was angry with Harishchandra because Harishchandra had dared to enter the sage’s ashram and disturb its sanctity. Harishchandra apologized to the sage but Sage Vishwamitra was known for his hot temper and so for trespassing he

demanded from Harishchandra his entire kingdom.

b) Sage Vishwamitra wanted one month’s dakshina from Harishchandra in a month’s time. Harishchandra had given his kingdom to the sage. He had no employment. The month was coming to an end. Harishchandra’s wife Taramati requested Harishchandra to sell her as a slave to raise money for the dakshina. That was the reason for Harishchandra

to go to the slave market with his wife and son.

c) At the slave market a Brahmin decided to buy Taramati as a slave. While she was

being led away, their son Rohitaswa began to cry. Harishchandra was unable to see

tears in his son’s eyes and so he begged the Brahmin to take his son along with his

wife. Harishchandra could not bear to see his wife and son being led away and held

back his tears till they were no longer in sight.

d) Harishchandra refused to go to heaven as he said while his people on earth suffer he

could not go to heaven.

e) The value learnt from the story is that of truth, and to never tell a lie, or go back on yourword.