अयोध्याधिपतिः क्रीडां चकार सह भार्यया । रूपयौवनचातुर्ययुक्तया प्रीतिसंयुतः
The lord of Ayodhyā enjoyed himself with his wife, who was endowed with beauty, youth, and cleverness, and was filled with affection.
अतीतकाले युवती न सा गर्भवती ह्यभूत् । तदा चिन्तातुरो राजा बभूवातीव दुःखितः
As time passed, that young woman did not become pregnant; then the king, troubled by anxiety, became greatly distressed.
वसिष्टस्याश्रमं गत्वा प्रणम्य शिरसा मुनिम् । अनपत्यत्वजां चिन्तां गुरवे समवेदयत्
Going to the hermitage of Vasiṣṭha, bowing his head to the sage, he revealed to his guru the anxiety born of childlessness.
दैवज्ञोऽसि भवान्कामं मन्त्रविद्याविशारदः । उपायं कुरु धर्मज्ञ सन्ततेर्मम मानद
"You are an expert in destiny, well-versed in mantras and knowledge. O knower of dharma, O giver of honor, devise a means for my lineage."
अपुत्रस्य गतिर्नास्ति जानासि द्विजसत्तम । कस्मादुपेक्षसे जानन् दुःखं मम च शक्तिमान्
"There is no destiny for one without a son, as you know, O best of twice-born. Why do you neglect me, knowing my sorrow and your own power?"
कलविंकास्त्विमे धन्या ये शिशुं लालयन्ति हि । मन्दभाग्योऽहमनिशं चिन्तयामि दिवानिशम्
"These little birds are blessed, for they fondle their young. I, of poor fortune, think day and night, ever anxious."
व्यास उवाच - इत्याकर्ण्य मुनिस्तस्य निर्वेदमिश्रितं वचः । सञ्चिन्त्य मनसा सम्यक् तमुवाच विधेः सुतः
Vyāsa said: Hearing his words, filled with despair, the sage, after reflecting well in his mind, spoke to him, the son of Vidhī.
वसिष्ठ उवाच - सत्यं ब्रूहि महाराज संसारेऽस्मिन्न विद्यते । अनपत्यत्वजं दुःखं यत्तथा दुःखमद्भुतम्
Vasiṣṭha said: "Speak truly, O great king, in this world there is no sorrow like that which comes from childlessness; such sorrow is indeed astonishing."
तस्मात्त्वमपि राजेन्द्र वरुणं यादसां पतिम् । समाराधय यत्नेन स ते कार्यं करिष्यति
Therefore, O king of kings, you too should earnestly worship Varuṇa, lord of the waters; he will accomplish your purpose.
वरुणादधिको नास्ति देवः सन्तानदायकः । तमाराधय धर्मिष्ठ कार्यसिद्धिर्भविष्यति
There is no god superior to Varuṇa in granting offspring; worship him, O righteous one, and your aim will be fulfilled.
दैवं पुरुषकारश्च माननीयाविमौ नृभिः । उद्यमेन विना कार्यसिद्धिः सञ्जायते कथम्
Both fate and human effort are to be respected by people; without exertion, how can the accomplishment of a task arise?
न्यायतस्तु नरैः कार्य उद्यमस्तत्त्वदर्शिभिः । कृते तस्मिन्भवेत्सिद्धिर्नान्यथा नृपसत्तम
Indeed, the wise should undertake action according to what is right; when that is done, success comes—never otherwise, O best of kings.
इति तस्य वचः श्रुत्वा गुरोरमिततेजसः । प्रणम्य निर्ययौ राजा तपसे कृतनिश्चयः
Hearing these words from his guru, whose brilliance was immeasurable, the king bowed and departed, firmly resolved to undertake austerities.
गङ्गातीरे शुभे स्थाने कृतपद्मासनो नृपः । ध्यायन्पाशधरं चित्ते चचार दुश्चरं तपः
On the auspicious bank of the Ganges, the king made a lotus-seat, and, meditating in his mind on the Lord holding the noose, performed difficult austerities.
एवं तपस्यतस्तस्य प्रचेता दृष्टिगोचरः । कृपयाभून्महाराज प्रसन्नमुखपङ्कजः
As he was engaged in such austerities, Pracetas appeared before his eyes, O great king, his lotus-face beaming with compassion.
हरिश्चन्द्रमुवाचेदं वचनं यादसां पतिः । वरं वरय धर्मज्ञ तुष्टोऽस्मि तपसा तव
The lord of the waters spoke these words to Harishchandra: 'Choose a boon, O knower of dharma; I am pleased with your austerity.'
राजोवाच - अनपत्योऽस्मि देवेश पुत्रं देहि सुखप्रदम् । ऋणत्रयापहारार्थमुद्यमोऽयं मया कृतः
The king said: 'O lord of the gods, I am childless; grant me a son who brings happiness. I have undertaken this effort to remove the three debts.'
नृपस्य वचनं श्रुत्वा प्रगल्भं दुःखितस्य च । स्मितपूर्वं ततः पाशी तमाह पुराः स्थितम्
Hearing the king’s bold and sorrowful words, the Lord with the noose, smiling, addressed him as he stood before him.
वरुण उवाच - पुत्रो यदि भवेद्राजन् गुणी मनसि वाञ्छितः । सिद्धे कार्ये ततः पश्चात्किं करिष्यसि मे प्रियम्
Varuna said: 'If, O king, you have a son endowed with virtues as you desire, what will you do to please me after your wish is fulfilled?'
यदि त्वं तेन पुत्रेण मां यजेथा विशङ्कितः । पशुबन्धेन तेनैव ददामि नृपते वरम्
If you, without hesitation, offer me a sacrifice with that son as the animal, O king, then I grant you the boon.
राजोवाच - देव मे मास्तु वन्ध्यत्वं यजिष्येऽहं जलाधिप । पशुं कृत्वा सुतं पुत्रं सत्यमेतद्ब्रवीमि ते
The king said: 'O lord, let me not remain childless; I will sacrifice to you, O lord of the waters, offering my son as the animal—this I truly promise you.'
वन्ध्यत्वे परमं दुःखमसह्यं भुवि मानद । शोकाग्निशमनं नॄणां तस्माद्देहि सुतं शुभम्
O bestower of honor, childlessness is the greatest and most unbearable sorrow on earth; it is the fire of grief for people—therefore, grant me an auspicious son.
वरुण उवाच - भविष्यति सुतः कामं राजन् गच्छ गृहाय वै । सत्यं तद्वचनं कार्यं यद्ब्रवीषि ममाग्रतः
Varuna said: 'A son will indeed be born to you, O king; now go home. What you have promised before me must be fulfilled.'
व्यास उवाच - इत्युक्तो वरुणेनासौ हरिश्चन्द्रो गृहं ययौ । भार्यायै कथयामास वृत्तान्तं वरदानजम्
Vyasa said: Thus addressed by Varuna, Harishchandra went home and told his wife the story of the boon he had received.
तस्य भार्याशतं पूर्णं बभूवातिमनोहरम् । पट्टराज्ञी शुभा शैव्या धर्मपत्नी पतिव्रता
He had a hundred wives, all exceedingly beautiful; among them, the chief queen Shaivya was virtuous, devoted, and true to her husband.
काले गतेऽथ सा गर्भं दधार वरवर्णिनी । बभूव मुदितो राजा श्रुत्वा दोहदचेष्टितम्
In due time, that most beautiful woman conceived; the king rejoiced upon hearing of her pregnancy cravings.
कारयामास विधिवत्संस्कारान्नृपतिस्तदा । मासेऽथ दशमे पूर्णे सुषुवे सा शुभे दिने
Then, the king performed all the prescribed rites; and when the tenth month was complete, she gave birth on an auspicious day.
ताराग्रहबलोपेते पुत्रं देवसुतोपमम् । पुत्रे जाते नृपः स्नात्वा ब्राह्मणैः परिवेष्टितः
When the stars and planets were favorable, a son was born, resembling a son of the gods; after the birth, the king bathed, surrounded by Brahmins.
चकार जातकर्मादौ ददौ दानानि भूरिशः । राज्ञश्चातिप्रमोदोऽभूत्पुत्रजन्मसमुद्भवः
He performed the birth rites and gave abundant gifts; the king was exceedingly delighted at the birth of his son.
बभूव परमोदारो धनधान्यसमन्वितः । विशेषदानसंयुक्तो गीतवादित्रसंकुलः
There was great generosity, accompanied by wealth and grain; special gifts were distributed, and the celebration was filled with song and music.