This is the story of Vishvamitra, a sage renowned for his unparalleled ascetic power and strength. Through rigorous vows and discipline, he was striving to attain the profound knowledge once possessed by the gods themselves. As he pursued his purpose with patience, silence, and control of mind, the women nearby became terrified by his intensity and cried out in confusion, wondering what action to take. The powerful Kauśika, as Vishvamitra was also known, was guarded by horses, while the women felt exceedingly weak and vulnerable. Their fear grew so great that crossing his path seemed impossible. Amidst their distress, the lord of obstacles—a fierce being—considered that perhaps the king had arrived, repeatedly reassuring them not to fear. With this thought, the lord of obstacles quickly entered the king, determined to accomplish his own desires. Possessed by this force, the king, out of anger, spoke harsh words: “Who is this wicked man, burning fire at the edge of his garment, blazing with strength and energy, while I, the master, am present?” He declared that, pierced by arrows from his bow which illuminated all directions, Vishvamitra would enter a long sleep, his body shattered. Upon hearing these words, Vishvamitra became angry. As wrath overtook the sage, the sacred knowledge he had gathered vanished instantly. The king, seeing Vishvamitra—the treasure of asceticism—was suddenly overcome by fear, trembling like the leaves of an ashvattha tree. When the sage addressed him, saying, “You are wicked,” and stood before him, the king, humbled, bowed and spoke: “Revered one, this is my duty, not a fault, O master. You should not be angry with me, for I am devoted to my own dharma. A king who knows dharma must give and protect, and must fight according to the rules of dharma, raising his bow when necessary.” Vishvamitra then asked, “To whom should gifts be given? Whom should be protected? By whom should battles be fought, O king? Quickly tell me this, if you fear unrighteousness.” Hariścandra replied, “Gifts should be given to eminent Brahmins and to others who are poor. Those who are afraid must always be protected, and battles must be fought against robbers.” Vishvamitra said, “If you are a king who rightly observes royal duty, and I, a Brahmin, wish to perform a rite, then let the desired offering be given.” Hearing these words, the king felt joy in his heart, as if he had been reborn, and spoke again to Kauśika: “Speak, O revered one, what you wish to be given, without hesitation. Know that it is already granted, even if it is exceedingly difficult to obtain—whether it is gold, jewels, my son, wife, body, life, kingdom, city, wealth—whatever you desire.” Vishvamitra replied, “O king, the offering you have given is accepted. First, grant me the royal sacrificial gift.” The king answered, “O Brahmin, I will indeed give you that sacrificial gift. Choose, O best of twice-born, whatever offering you desire.” Vishvamitra declared, “The earth with its oceans, its rulers, villages, and cities, the entire kingdom filled with chariots, horses, and elephants, the treasury and storehouses, and whatever else belongs to you—except your wife, son, and body, O sinless one. And the virtue, O knower of all dharma, that follows one who departs. Why say more? Let all this be given.” With a joyful mind and an unchanged face, the king, hearing the sage’s words, replied “so be it,” with joined palms. Vishvamitra then asked, “If you have given me everything—kingdom, land, strength, wealth—who, O royal sage, holds authority when the ascetic is established in the kingdom?” Hariścandra answered, “Even when I gave land to a Brahmin at any time, you were its master then; how much more so now, O king?” Vishvamitra said, “If you have given me all the earth, O king, wherever my authority prevails, you must depart from there.” Leaving behind all his ornaments, including girdles and threads, Hariścandra donned bark garments, together with his wife Śaivya and his young son. Saying “so be it” and acting accordingly, the king began to depart, accompanied by his beloved wife and son. As they were leaving, someone blocked their path and said to the king, “Where are you going, without giving me the royal sacrificial gift?” Hariścandra replied, “O revered one, this kingdom has been given to you, cleared of all obstacles. Now, O Brahman, only these three bodies of mine remain.” Vishvamitra insisted, “Even so, you must give me the sacrificial gift. Especially, it is promised that the Brahmins are harmed if the gift is not given. As long as the Brahmins are satisfied in the Rājasūya, O king, so long must the royal sacrificial gift be given. Having promised, you must give; you must fight with aggressors; and you must protect the afflicted—this was previously promised by you.” Hariścandra pleaded, “O revered one, at present I have nothing; I will give to you in due course. Show your grace, O sage, considering my sincerity.” Vishvamitra demanded, “What measure of time should I wait for you, O lord of men? Speak quickly, or the fire of my curse will consume you.” Hariścandra promised, “O sage, I will give you the sacrificial wealth within a month. I have no riches now; you should permit me to give.” Vishvamitra responded, “Go, go, O foremost of kings, uphold your own duty. May your path be auspicious, and may there be no obstacles.” Permitted to depart, the lord of the earth went forth, his beloved following him by foot, though it was not her custom. Seeing the great king leaving the city with his wife and son, the citizens cried out, and the king’s followers also lamented his departure.