King Harishchandra

King Harishchandra was renowned for his unwavering commitment to truth and righteousness. Once, the gods debated whether any human could remain truthful under all circumstances. Sage Vishwamitra decided to test Harishchandra. Vishwamitra demanded Harishchandra's entire kingdom as a gift. Harishchandra gave it without hesitation. Then Vishwamitra demanded more. With nothing left, Harishchandra sold his wife Shaivya and son Rohitashva into servitude. He sold himself to a cremation ground keeper. Harishchandra began working at the cremation ground, burning the dead. One night, his own son died from a snakebite. Shaivya arrived weeping, carrying the body. Harishchandra recognized his own child but refused to cremate the body without the proper tax, because that was his duty. At that moment, all the gods appeared. Vishwamitra declared that Harishchandra had passed the most difficult test of truth. Everything was restored, and his son was brought back to life.