Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c9.4755

c9.4755

After making all arrangements for the marriage, Viśvāmitra approached King Hariścandra. The King asked him what amount he required. “Give me your kingdom with all the elephants, horses, chariots, jewels and wealth in it”, said Viśvāmitra. The King who had been led to this deception by Viśvāmitra, having no go, agreed. Thus Viśvāmitra obtained the kingdom and everything that Hariścandra possessed. It is conventional that whenever a gift is given to Brahmins, a dakṣiṇā (monetary gift) also should be given along with it. Otherwise the gift will be futile. The King asked the Brahmin what he wanted as dakṣiṇā. He demanded two and a half Bhāras of gold as dakṣiṇā. The King agreed to give that also. But where to get this amount from, since he had lost his kingdom and everything? Having sunk deep in misery due to the deceit of Viśvāmitra, the King sat on the soil, cursing his fate. Seeing this, the queen ran to him and cried. While he was telling his wife every thing, Viśvāmitra came there and said :