King · All traditions · Pan-India

Harishchandra

Also called: Harishchandra Vaidhasa Aikshvaka

A king of the Ikshvaku line, sonless with a hundred wives, who on Narada's advice promises Varuna that he will sacrifice the son he is asking for. He puts the god off five times; when Rohita flees, Varuna seizes him and his belly swells. He is cured when Shunahshepa is released.

Sources: Rigveda Brahmanas: the Aitareya and Kausitaki Brahmanas, tr. A. B. Keith (1920); Srimad-Bhagavatam (Bhaktivedanta Vedabase) · see Harishchandra's web

Relations 3

Harishchandra cursed by

Varuna (God) · Shunahshepa, the boy bound for Varuna
Seizes the king so that his belly swells (Aitareya); an explicit curse of dropsy in the Devi Bhagavata.

Harishchandra parent of

Rohita (Mortal) · Shunahshepa, the boy bound for Varuna

Harishchandra received a boon from

Varuna (God) · Shunahshepa, the boy bound for Varuna
Grants the sonless king a son, Rohita, on the vow of sacrificing him.

Stories 1

Shunahshepa, the boy bound for Varuna
Legend · as the king who promises and delays · 6 tellings

Cited

Rigveda Brahmanas: the Aitareya and Kausitaki Brahmanas, tr. A. B. Keith (1920) § aitareya.7.13-16 Primary text (translation)
Srimad-Bhagavatam (Bhaktivedanta Vedabase) § 9.7.7-23 Primary text (translation)