Let the Sun and let the Moon and let the Universe Shake. The pledge and the vow of Harishchandra shall never never break. And there was a commotion in the heavens. The grim prophecy of Vishwamitra rent the skies, "I will wreck and ruin the future of Harishchandra," he had declared and added, "I will erase his very name from the Book of Life". The prophecy did come true. Raja Harishchandra became a pauper. He gave away his kingdom in alms, but had nothing to offer as Dakshina (thanks-giving). Loyal Tara pleaded before her consort, "Sell me in Kashi and clear this debt."

One by one, the wife, the son and the Raja, all were sold. Harishchandra was bought by an executioner. The mistress of Taramati once scolded her, "Are you my slave or rival? My husband would cling to you and throw me off". Sufferings exhaust patience. One day, little Rohit lost his balance and cried out. "I will not trust God, You should also not, and ask father not to have it." The mother slapped the boy, who sobbed out, "Go on mother, slap me once again. The mistress beats me in the day. Who, if not you, will beat me in the night?". King Harishchandra was serving the executioner by doing all his work. Finally he had to take up the job of guarding the grave yard. This was not the end, Death embraced Rohit. A snake bit him. The mother screamed, "O God what shall I say to his father?".

His father was keeping a watch in the cemetry, "No funeral without the tax; no funeral without the tax,"he was shouting, There came Taramati with the corpse of her son Rohit, " Tax" cried she, "where from shall I pay the tax?". She implored the watchman to let her cremate her only son She was too poor to pay the tax. "The rich and poor are one in Death " said Harishchandra, He demanded the tax. Taramati could not pay. Harishchndra could not budge from his duty. The dead body could not be cremated.

Was the dead body of Rohit cremated ? Was the lost kingdom restored to Harishchandra ?