Harishchandra and Varuna
Harishchandra and Varuna
Harishchandra is one of the most
famous kings of the Suryavanshi dynasty. He is known for his steadfast
adherence to the truth. But there is an incident in his life wherein he was
forced to make a choice and perhaps made a choice that he was not proud of.
Who was Harishchandra? He was none other than the son of
Satyavratha, who was promised heaven
while alive by Sage Vishwamitra. Satyavratha is more commonly known by the name
Trishanku.(https://bharatiyastories.blogspot.com/2024/02/from-rajarishi-to-brahmarishi.html).
Succeeding a father who had a rather dramatic ascension to
heaven, Harishchandra was ruling the country. He was well loved and known as a
fair and just ruler. He had a beautiful wife by the name of Taramati. A good
kingdom, peaceful citizens and a good wife – the king should have been a happy
man. But alas, no. He was worried and unhappy as he did not have a male
successor to take over the kingdom after him.
Many yagnas, many pujas were conducted to remedy the
situation but to no avail. One day Sage Narad was visiting the kingdom. After
paying him due respects, the king and his wife share their sorrow about not
having a heir.
Narada says, “Looks like the land is barren. You need some
rains. Pray to Varuna, the rain god. He can shower you the blessings of
prosperity and a male child.”
From then on, both Harishchandra and Taramati were doing a
Varunajapa every day. Eventually Varuna was pleased with
Harishchandra’s prayers. He decides to bless him with a child.
He appears in front of Harishchandra and blesses him.
Harishchandra is overwhelmed. He prostrates in front of
Varuna and states his desire. “Lord, by your grace, I have everything I need. A
peaceful kingdom, dharmic citizens and a good household. But the main thing a
human being needs as he grows old – the comfort of a younger generation that
can take over from him – is missing in my life. I do not have a son. I pray
that you grant me the boon of a son”
Varuna said “Harishchandra, I can give you the boon of a son
on one condition. You should sacrifice that son to me.”
Harishchandra is shocked. He could not imagine having a son
and then not having him. He did not know how to react. Varuna looked at him
kindly and said, “I understand Harishchandra. It is not easy to give up
something that you have desired for so long. But that is my condition. Unless
you accept it, I am unable to accede to your request.”
Harishchandra is torn between his desire for a son and the
fear that the son might be taken away from him. Finally, his desire gets the
better of him. He thinks to himself “I don’t know what it is to have a son –
the happiness, the emotions and the high. Even if I hold him in my hand only
for a day, I can live with that memory. On the other hand, if I don’t have a
child, I will never know what it is to be a father.”
He also thinks Varuna is testing him. “I am sure Lord Varuna
cannot be that unkind. When my son is born, Varuna will see how much Tarmati
and I love him. No God would like to unnecessarily bring unhappiness to their
devotees. He is just seeing if I am firm in my wish. I am sure when the time
comes, I can convince him to spare the life of my son.”
Harishchandra, thus chooses to see whatever he wanted to see
in that situation. After sometime, he looks at Varuna and said, “Lord, you are
kind and large hearted. I am just a helpless human. I just want to hold my
child in my hand. If you want to take him from me after that, so be it. I will
sacrifice my son.” So saying he bowed before Varuna and was blessed by him to
have a son.
When the time came, Taramati delivered a beautiful baby boy. They named him Rohita. The king and the kingdom were rejoicing at the birth of the new prince. In his happiness, Harishchandra had completely forgotten his promise to Varuna.
Unfortunately for Harishchandra, Varuna did not forget the
promise. He appeared before Harishchandra. After going through the blessing
ritual he came straight to the point. “Harishchandra, I am happy that you got a
son as you desired. I heard that you have named him Rohita. Now I have come to
claim Rohita from you as you had promised.”
Harishchandra is shocked and unable to react. Many a time
when an undesirable thing happens, we don’t want to accept it is happening.
That’s called living in denial and that is exactly what Harishchandra was going
through.
Harishchandra had hoped Varuna will not claim his son and if
claimed, he will manage the God with some appeasement. He realised that Varuna
was very serious about his demand. He did not know what to do. Suddenly an idea
struck him.
He told Varuna, “Swami, as you know my child is still an
infant and needs his mother. Moreover as per the scriptures, a child is
considered impure for the first ten days after birth. Which is why our
scriptures prescribe the purification ceremony to be done only on the eleventh
day. How can I offer something impure to a Deva like you. So please come after
the punyagavachanam (Purification) ceremony. Varuna agreed with Harishchandra’s
logic. He told him, “Okay, I shall come in ten days to claim my sacrifice. Be
prepared to give your son.”
Next ten days, Harishchandra is sleepless. He is trying ways
and means to escape from his commitment to Varuna. The eleventh day dawned and
with it came Varuna to claim his reward.
Harishchandra is ready now unlike the first time. He
welcomes Varuna and offers him the ceremonial respect. Varuna thanks him and
repeats his request, “Harishchandra, now the ten days are over. Hand over Rohita
to me.” Harishchandra immediately responds, “I was going to my Lord. But then
the scholars in my kingdom told me that the child has to grow teeth before it
can be worth of participating in any ceremony. If it cannot participate in any
ceremony, how can it be suitable as a sacrifice?”
Varuna again agrees that the logic given by Harishchandra is
correct. He tells Harishchandra that he will appear after the child grows
teeth.
After a year or so, Rohita grows a few milk teeth. And
Varuna is back with his demand. Harishchandra now is ready with more logic and
excuses. He says to Varuna, “Swami, I was expecting you. But then, Rohita only
has milk teeth which is like borrowed teeth as it is temporary and will fall
off. Please give time, till he grows his own teeth.”
A few years passed and Rohita grew permanent teeth and
Varuna was back. This time Harishchandra tells him “My son is born in Kshatriya
varna. It is his dharma to learn to defend himself and his kingdom. If I
sacrifice him now without him getting that knowledge, it will be like
sacrificing a half human and is disrespectful. Give me a few years. And I will
make Rohita a warrior and you are free to take him with you.” Varuna went back
empty handed.
After some years, Varuna again comes visiting Harishchandra.
This time Rohita was nowhere to be seen. Now that he was a grow up young man,
he heard about the pact between his father and Varuna at his birth. He did not
want to be sacrificed to Varuna and hence escaped to the forest.
While roaming the forest, Rohita comes across the hermitage
of Sage Ajigarta. He finds that the sage has three sons almost the same age as
him. He gets an idea. He approaches the Sage Ajigarta and tells him, “Learned
guru. My father had promised Varuna that he will sacrifice his son. I am the
only son to my father and the protector of his kingdom. My parents also do not
have anyone if I die. I want to offer Varuna another young man in my place so
that my father’s vow is fulfilled in a fashion. I would like to request you for
one of your sons who can be offered to Varuna in my place. My father is the
king and I am sure he will compensate you for this noble sacrifice for the sake
of the king and kingdom.”
Rohita heard the sage saying “I cannot sacrifice my eldest
son, Shunahphuchha”. His wife said “And I cannot sacrifice Shunahlangula, him
being my youngest.”
So by default the middle son, Shunahshepha was to be
sacrificed as decided in an unspoken decision by the parents. He comes to
Rohita and says “Its me the middle son,
Shunahshepha. You can sacrifice me to Varuna to fulfil your father’s promise.”
Rohita, Ajigara and Shunahshepha come towards Ayodhya. The
entire city is waiting for their prince to return and are surprised to see
another young man and an older sage accompanying their prince.
As they near the palace, Varuna appears in front of Rohita.
“Come. You are mine. I have been looking for you.” Rohita stops him, “Wait holy
one. I have got you a substitute in my place.” Varuna said, “I do not want a
substitute.”
Rohita asks him, “What if the substitute is better than me?
He is more learned, is sattvik by nature and is willing to sacrifice himself
for his family. He is a brahmin.” Varuna stops to consider this. He says, “
Okay. I will accept your substitute.”
The ceremonial fire was started to do the sacrifice.
Shunahshepha was tied to a post and purified. The brahmins in Harishchandra’s
kingdom refused to kill another learned brahmin for fear of being cursed.
The proceedings had come to an awkward halt. Suddenly they
heard Ajigarta saying, “I will do it. I will sacrifice my son. But you have to
increase the amount that you are paying me” Harishchandra and Rohita are by now
shocked but they agree to pay more.
Ajigarta raises the sword over Shunashepha’s head. Suddenly
the sword crumbles and the rope that ties Shunashepha falls down. They hear an
asireeri (celestial voice), “Harishchandra what are you doing? How can you let a
learned brahmin be sacrified in your kingdom that too in the place of your son?
It is not Ajigarta who is wielding the sword. He is just a slave to his
poverty. It is you who is killing the boy personally with your blind love for
your son. “
Harishchandra realizes his foolishness in trying to outsmart
the Gods. He fell on his knees and wept for forgiveness. Varuna is now pacified
and withdraws his demand for a sacrifice. He says, “No one needs to die. I take
back my requirement for a sacrifice.” Saying so, he blesses the gathering and
leaves.
One of the sages who refused to kill the boy now steps forward and blesses him. He tells Shunahshepha, “You were prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice for the sake of your father and family. You deserve a better life. I shall adopt you as my son. Since the gods themselves spared your life I shall call you Devarata from now on.”
The boy thanks him for the offer and says, “I cannot go back
to my father as he as already offered me to someone. I am proud to accept a
learned person like yourself as my father. What is your name, great sage?”
The Sage replied “Viswamitra”. And thus Devarata became the
adopted son of Vishwamitra.
Harishchandra follows the sage and boy and falls at their
feet. He begs forgiveness from the boy for putting his son before his word to
someone. “Forgive me my son. I was a father rather than a king. I shall never
ever do this mistake again of putting myself and my comfort before my word. Now
the Gods and my ancestor the Sun God themselves are ashamed of my behaviour.
This will never be repeated in my life.”
Sage Vishwamitra looks at Harishchandra and says “Never?”
Harishchandra repeats “never.”
Vishwamitra says “Let us see.” He leaves Ayodhya with
Devarata.
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