Harishchandra did not go back on his words; rather, he faced a significant challenge in immediately fulfilling his promise of dakshina (an offering or fee) to Vishwamitra.
Why Harishchandra Sought Time to Fulfill His Promise
King Harishchandra, renowned for his unwavering commitment to truth and his word, found himself in a difficult predicament after donating his entire kingdom. This act of profound generosity left him with nothing to offer as dakshina to Vishwamitra, despite his firm intention to do so.
The Immediate Challenge
- Donation of Kingdom: Harishchandra had already given away his whole kingdom. This meant he possessed no wealth, land, or resources to use as payment for the dakshina owed to the sage Vishwamitra.
- Lack of Resources: With his kingdom gone, he had nothing left that could be immediately offered as the required payment.
Harishchandra's Response to Uphold His Word
Instead of retracting his promise, Harishchandra demonstrated his integrity and commitment by seeking a solution. He took the following actions to ensure he would ultimately fulfill his word:
- Request for Time: He requested Vishwamitra to grant him a period of one month to arrange the necessary dakshina. This was not an attempt to renege on his promise but to buy time to acquire the means to pay it.
- Departure from Kingdom: To honor his commitment and find a way to earn the dakshina, Harishchandra, a man true to his word, left his kingdom. He embarked on this challenging journey accompanied by his wife, Shaivya, and his son, Rohitashwa, heading towards Kashi (Varanasi). His departure underscored his dedication to his pledge, willing to endure hardship to uphold his truthfulness.
This period marked a significant trial for Harishchandra, during which he underwent immense difficulties to maintain his integrity and fulfill his promise. His actions were a testament to his adherence to satya (truth).
