Shloka 14

Adhyaya 8 — Harishchandra’s Trial: Truth, the Sale of Family, and Bondage to a Chandala

Sanskrit

किमु प्राणान् विमुञ्चामि कां दिशं याम्यकिञ्चनः ।

यदि नाशं गमिष्यामि अप्रदाय प्रतिश्रुतम् ॥

Transliteration

kimu prāṇān vimuñcāmi kāṃ diśaṃ yāmy akiñcanaḥ / yadi nāśaṃ gamiṣyāmi apradāya pratiśrutam //

Translation

„Soll ich also mein Leben aufgeben? Oder, völlig mittellos geworden, in welche Richtung soll ich gehen? Wenn mir Verderben bestimmt ist, dann nicht, bevor ich erfüllt habe, was ich versprochen habe.“

Speakers

• Within Devi Mahatmyam narration: the asura-king (commonly identified with Śumbha in this episode) speaks/reflects; the overall frame is Markandeya’s narration to the inquirer (traditional Devi Mahatmyam frame).

Primary Deities

• Devī (Caṇḍikā/Durgā)

Key Themes

• Dharma (truth to one’s word)
• Asuric pride and resolve
• Fate vs. agency
• Honor/pledge (pratiśruti)