Summary of story Satyawadi Harischandra
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King Harishchandra lived in Treta Yuga. He was a virtuous king known for his good deeds.
During his regime, everyone was happy and prosperous. He had a wife named Shaivya (also known as Taramati) and a son named Rohitashva.
Once he was pursuing a deer in the forest. Suddenly he heard cries of a woman saying “Save Me”.
Hearing this, he proceeds towards the direction of sound which in reality is an illusion created by Vighnaraja, the lord of the obstacles.
Actually, Vighnaraja is trying to create obstacles in the meditation (Tapasya) of Sage Vishwamitra.
Seeing king Harishchandra, he (Vighnaraja) possessed his body and started abusing the sage to disturb him (sage). Due to this, Vishwamitra lost all the learning that he gained through his Tapasya (meditation).
Sage Vishwamitra was filled with rage and anger due to this. Suddenly the king came back to his senses and apologized for his mistake.Harishchandra was delighted hearing this and promised him (Vishwamitra) to give him whatever he wants – be it silver, gold, body, life, kingdom, fortune or any other thing.
Then Vishwamitra asks him to first give Dakshina (donation) for his Rajasuya Yajna. The king asks him what he wanted in the donation.
Vishwamitra told him to give everything he has except his own body, his wife, and his son.
The king happily gave away his kingdom, his forces, and everything he has to Sage Vishwamitra as a donation.
Vishwamitra also asked him to leave the kingdom with his family as now the kingdom does not belong to him.
Vishwamitra stops him again:
As he was going away from his kingdom with his wife Shaivya and son Rohitashva, Vishwamitra stops him and demands for another donation for Rajasuya Yajna.
Harishchandra told him that he has nothing to offer now but promised him to give the donation for Rajasuya Yajna within a month’s time.
Vishwamitra agreed and wishes him good luck for his new journey.