O King, ascend to heaven with your wife and son; by your own actions, you have achieved what is nearly impossible for others. As this blessing was pronounced, Indra himself, the Lord of the gods, seated amidst the divine assembly, caused a rain of nectar to fall from the heavens, a nectar that vanquished death itself. Showers of celestial flowers descended, and the air resounded with the beat of divine drums, as the gods rejoiced in their gathering. At that moment, the king’s son rose—his form delicate, his health perfect, his senses and mind calm and luminous. King Harishchandra, now adorned with garlands and garments of the gods, embraced his radiant son and his wife. In that embrace, his heart overflowed with supreme joy and fulfillment, and he felt entirely whole. Then Indra spoke to him again, saying, “With your wife and son, you shall attain the highest blessed state; ascend, O greatly fortunate one, by the merit of your own deeds.” But Harishchandra, ever steadfast in righteousness, replied, “Though you permit me, O Lord of the gods, I will not ascend to the celestial realm until I have fulfilled my obligation to my master, the outcaste.” At this, Dharma revealed, “Foreseeing your coming hardship, I led you to the state of an outcaste and made you experience that instability, by my own power.” Indra urged again, “Ascend, Harishchandra, to the supreme realm sought by all, the abode of the righteous.” Harishchandra, bowing with humility and a face brightened by Indra’s grace, answered, “O King of the gods, listen to my words. The people of Kosala, my subjects, are sunk in grief because of me. How can I abandon them and go to heaven today? To forsake a devotee is a sin as grave as killing a Brahmin, a teacher, a cow, or a woman. To abandon an innocent devotee, even if it brings me ease, I see no good in it, neither in this world nor the next. Therefore, O Indra, go to heaven without me. If they may come with me, I will go; otherwise, I will remain with them, even in hell.” Indra replied, “Their many merits and sins are their own; how can you all, as a group, attain heaven?” Harishchandra answered, “O Shakra, a king enjoys his kingdom only through the strength of his subjects, performs sacrifices, and gives in charity through their support. All I have accomplished is by their power. I cannot abandon my benefactors for the sake of heaven. Therefore, O Lord of the gods, whatever good deeds I have performed—giving, sacrificing, reciting, or any other act—let all these be shared among us. May the fruits of my actions, destined for many ages, be granted to us all in a single day by your grace.” Pleased by his words, Indra, together with Dharma and Viśvāmitra, son of Gādhi, agreed: “So it shall be.” They ascended from earth to heaven in aerial chariots and called out to the people of Ayodhyā, “Ascend to heaven!” Hearing Indra’s words, the great sage Viśvāmitra, filled with joy, brought Rohitāśva to the king. In the splendid city of Ayodhyā, with the gods, sages, and perfected beings as witnesses, Rohitāśva was anointed king, installed as lord of men. Then, together with King Harishchandra, all the people—joyful and prosperous, with their families—ascended to heaven. At every step, from one celestial chariot to another, the people rose upward, great joy filling the air, and Harishchandra among them. Gaining unparalleled prosperity through these heavenly vehicles, Harishchandra established dwellings within the celestial city, surrounded by mighty ramparts and walls. Witnessing this prosperity, Uśanas, the wise and renowned preceptor of the Daityas, knower of all scriptures, spoke: “There has never been, nor will there be, a king equal to Harishchandra. Whoever hears this story, even if weighed down by sorrow, will find great happiness. One who desires heaven will attain heaven; one who longs for a son will gain a son; one who seeks a wife will find a wife; one who wishes for a kingdom will receive a kingdom. Behold the greatness of forbearance! Behold the splendid fruit of giving! By these, Harishchandra has attained the kingship of Indra’s own city.” Thus, the birds recounted the deeds of Harishchandra, and invited their listener to hear the remainder of the tale: the results of the rājasūya sacrifice, the cause of the earth’s destruction, and the great war called the battle of the Āḍibakas. When Harishchandra had been deprived of his kingdom and had ascended to the abode of the gods, his illustrious priest emerged from his watery dwelling. Vasiṣṭha, the sage, having lived by the Ganges for twelve years, heard all that Viśvāmitra had done. He learned of the generous king’s downfall, his association with outcastes, and the sale of his wife and son. Upon hearing this, the king—blessed and fortunate—was pleased, but the radiant sage Vasiṣṭha burned with anger toward Viśvāmitra. Vasiṣṭha declared, “Though Viśvāmitra slew my hundred sons, never has my anger been as fierce as it is now. Upon hearing that this noble king, devoted to the gods and Brahmins, had been deprived of his sovereignty—though he was truthful, peaceful, free from envy even toward enemies, sinless, righteous, vigilant, and self-controlled—my wrath is greater than ever before.