"Harischandra is truthful. He remains so under all trying circumstances and will not utter a lie." Everyone agreed with Vasishta. Vishwamitra stood up. He nursed ill-will against Vasishta. He said, "Devendra, what vasishta says is not true. Out of his partiality for his disciple, he says that Harischandra is always truthful. We cannot believe it. Who is there that will not utter a lie when he is in very hardcircumstances?"

Vasishta did not agree with him. He said, "Harischandra will never utter a lie whatever be 'the hardships."

There was controversy.

Vishwamitra declared "Lock, I shall make Harischandra utter lies. It I do notsucceed, I shall make over all the merit of my tapas to him."

The assembly was over. Vasishta returned to his hermitage. He knew that Vishwamitra would examine Harischandra in various ways and that Harischandra would be subjected to severe tests in this course. But Vasishta did not say a word about it to Harischandra. What is the greatness of a man if he is cautioned and then put to test? He did not bother about it because he knew that a man of truth would always remain truthful.

Vishwamitra got ready to testHarischandra. His hatred of Vasishta was the only reason for his entering into this controversy. He used all his learning to succeed in his plan. He tookfrom Harischandra his kingdom by practising duplicity and cunning. Harischandra was made a debtor; his queen Chandramati and son Lohitashwa had to go to Kashi along with him.