HARISCHANDRA  , in

Hindu mythology, the 28th king of the Solar race . He was renowned for his piety and justice . He is the central figure of legends in the Aitareyabrahmana, Mahabharata and the Markandeyapurana . In the first he is represented as so desirous of a son that he vows to Varuna that if his prayer is granted the boy shall be eventually sacrificed to the latter . The child is born, but Harischandra, after many delays, arranges to purchase another's son and make a vicarious sacrifice . According to the Mahabharata he is at last promoted to Paradise as the reward for his munificent charity .