Purukutsa’s Rasātala Victory; Triśaṅku and Hariścandra; Rohita and Śunaḥśepha
यदि वीरो महाराज तेनैव त्वां यजे इति । तथेति वरुणेनास्य पुत्रो जातस्तु रोहित: ॥ ९ ॥
yadi vīro mahārāja tenaiva tvāṁ yaje iti tatheti varuṇenāsya putro jātas tu rohitaḥ
O King Parīkṣit, Hariścandra begged Varuṇa, “My lord, if a son is born to me, with that son I shall perform a sacrifice for your satisfaction.” When Hariścandra said this, Varuṇa replied, “Let it be so.” Because of Varuṇa’s benediction, Hariścandra begot a son named Rohita.
Rohita is the son who is born after Varuṇa grants the king a boon, in connection with the king’s promise to worship Varuṇa by offering that very son.
Varuṇa agrees to the king’s condition—granting a son on the understanding that the king will later fulfill his promise of worship/sacrifice involving that son.
Be careful with promises and vows—especially those made in pursuit of results—because commitments made to gain a boon can create serious moral and spiritual obligations later.