HARISCHANDRA Biography - Royalty, Rulers & leaders

 
 

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HARISCHANDRA
       

HARISCHANDRA , in Hindu mythology , the 28th king of the Solar  race. He was renowned for his piety and justice . He is the central figure of legends in the Aitareyabrahmana, Mahabharata and the Markandeyapurana. In the first he is represented as so desirous of a son that he vows to Varuna that if his prayer  is granted the boy shall be eventually sacrificed to the latter. The child is born , but Harischandra, after many delays, arranges to purchase  another’s son and make a vicarious sacrifice. According to the Mahabharata he is at last promoted to Paradise  as the reward  for his munificent charity.