Made up the funeral pile, and placed thereon
His son, himself ascending with his wife.
And then, in meditation wrapt, he thought
Upon Narayana, the lord supreme,
And Vasudeva, lord of deities,
Siva, and Brahma the eternal god,
And Krish.na clothed in glory. As the king
Was meditating, all the gods from heaven
Came down headed by Dharma. And they said:
"Hear us, O king! hear us, O lord! The gods--
Even the mighty gods have come to earth,
And at their head is Dharma. Gods, and saints,
And heroes--yea, and Visvamitra too,
The sage implacable,--all summon thee--
Ascend! to heaven: receive the due reward,
That thou hast gained. O king! slay not thyself!
I, perfect Righteousness, I summon thee
To enter now the heaven that thou hast gained
By thy transcendant virtues, self-control,
Patience, and truth." Then Indra spoke, and said:--
"O Harischandra! King, most eminent!
In virtue! lo! before you Indra stands--
For I am he. The everlasting world
Thou hast attained: together with thy wife,
And son, ascend to heaven;--to that third heav'n--
So difficult to be attained by men--
The heav'n that thou hast won." Then Indra rained
Life-giving am.rit from the sky, and flowers
That blossomed in the heavenly courts: while sounds
Of music filled the air, and round him stood