Harishchandra is a legendary king of the Solar dynasty, who appears in several legends in texts such as the Aitareya Brahmana, Mahabharata, the Markandeya Purana, and the Devi Bhagavata Purana.
26 Facts About Harishchandra
2.
Varuna granted the boon, in exchange for an assurance that Harishchandra would make a sacrifice to Varuna in the future.
3.
Harishchandra's illness was cured because of Sunahshepa's prayers; Sunahshepa was adopted by the sage Vishvamitra.
4.
Harishchandra had a queen named Shaivya and a son named Rohitashva.
5.
When he saw Harishchandra, he entered the king's body and started abusing Vishvamitra.
6.
When Harishchandra came to his senses, he realized that the sage was extremely angry with him, and apologized.
7.
Harishchandra promised to fulfill any of the sage's desires to get rid of his guilt.
8.
Harishchandra said that he did not have any possession left, but promised to make another donation within a month.
9.
Harishchandra started living in penury with his wife and his family.
10.
When Vishvamitra saw the king with his subjects, he started cursing Harishchandra for taking along his subjects.
11.
Harishchandra pointed out that there was still some time left in completion of one month.
12.
Harishchandra gave him all the money he had received from the sale of his wife and son.
13.
Harishchandra held the dead body of their son, who had died of a snake bite.
14.
But, Harishchandra told her that he would not let her do so without paying the fee.
15.
Harishchandra believes that they are the equal sharer in his merits and that he will only go heaven when his people accompany him.
16.
Harishchandra requested the king of devas, Indra to allow his people to go to heaven at least for a single day.
17.
Harishchandra learned of what had happened to Harishchandra during these years.
18.
Harishchandra quarreled with Vishvamitra, but was ultimately pacified by Brahma.
19.
Vishvamitra objects to this, pointing out that Harishchandra was ready to sacrifice Sunahshepa, a human.
20.
In Mahabharata, Narada tells Yudhishthira that Harishchandra is a rajarshi, and the only earthly king who finds a place in the assembly of gods.
21.
Poet Raghavanka's Harishchandra Kavya from 12th century in Kannada language is a very popular and acclaimed epic on the life of Harishchandra.
22.
Harishchandra has been the subject of many films in India.
23.
The Kannada epic Satya Harishchandra was based on 12th century Hoysala poet Raghavanka's work, Harishchandra Kavya starring Rajkumar.
24.
Satya Harishchandra was the third Indian and first South Indian film to be digitally coloured.
25.
Also, in popular colloquial usage, Raja Harishchandra is synonymous with absolute adherence to the truth.
26.
In 1985, a Bengali language film Harishchandra Shaibya was released based on the life of King Harishchandra.