Daily Myth for June 28
Posted by
znufrii
Jun 28 '24, 04:25
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In the kingdom of Ayodhya, there once lived a just and benevolent king named Harishchandra. Known for his unwavering commitment to truth and righteousness, King Harishchandra prided himself on adhering to his principles, no matter the cost.
One day, the sage Vishwamitra, renowned for his wisdom and spiritual prowess, decided to test Harishchandra's integrity. He approached the king with a seemingly impossible demand — the donation of his entire kingdom as a gift to the sage. Harishchandra, bound by his vow to always keep his word, agreed without hesitation and surrendered his kingdom to Vishwamitra.
Left with nothing but his family, Harishchandra ventured into the forest with his wife, Shaivya, and young son, Rohitashva. The family eventually found themselves in the city of Kashi, where they took refuge. To survive, Harishchandra accepted the humble job of a crematorium keeper, where his duty was to oversee the rituals of the deceased.
One tragic day, Harishchandra's son fell ill and passed away. Stricken with grief, Harishchandra and his wife went to the crematorium to perform their son's last rites. However, as per the norms, they had to pay the fees for conducting the rituals, but with their deep poverty, they had no money to spare.
In a heart-wrenching twist, Harishchandra, bound by his duties as the crematorium keeper, demanded the fees from his own wife. Overcome with sorrow and desperation, Shaivya offered her mangalsutra (a sacred necklace symbolizing marriage) to cover the costs. As Harishchandra accepted the offering with trembling hands, a divine light enveloped them.
Moved by Harishchandra's unwavering adherence to truth and righteousness even in the face of unimaginable sorrow, the gods appeared. Vishwamitra, who had orchestrated the test, revealed himself and restored Harishchandra's kingdom and his son's life. The king's exemplary virtues were celebrated far and wide, and his legacy persisted as an embodiment of absolute integrity and unwavering commitment to dharma.
And so, King Harishchandra continued to rule justly, cementing his place in the annals of history as a paragon of truth and righteousness.
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