Chandramati

Chandramati was the wife of Harishchandra in Hindu mythology. She was the daughter of Shibi and the mother of Rohitashva. Though, Harishchandra had hundred wives none have any child. Harishchandra, therefore, performed a penance to please Varun so that he might bless him with a son. Varun was pleased by the penance and blessed him, on the promise of Harishchandra that he would sacrifice his son back to Varun. Soon, Chandramati conceived and gave birth the the child named Rohitashva. The love of the parents, however, prevented his sacrifice. A son of a Brahman was sold to him for sacrifice in place of Rohitashva, but he too was spared by the god Varun.

When Harishchandra gave up his kingdom to Vishvamitra in a dream, he had to do it in reality when Vishvamitra came next day in the court of Harishchandra. Not only that, Chandramati and Rohitashva were also given up as servants, and finally Harishchandra also had to sell himself to the keeper of a Crematorium at Varanasi. Harishchandra, Rohitashva, and Chandramati had to undergo incredible sufferings.

Harishchandra then became the guard of the crematorium. Rohitashva died of snake-bite, and when Chandramati went with the dead body to the crematorium, Harishchandra refused to permit her to perform the last rites without taking the fee which he was supposed to collect on behalf of the keeper of the crematorium. Chandramati had nothing on her except the cloth (saree) she was wearing. At last, she tore up half of the cloth to pay the fee. The moment she tore up the cloth the gods were moved by the pity and appeared on the spot. They declared that Harishchandra passed the test of his being always speaking the truth. They blessed the three - the couple and the child. Rohitashva was brought to life by the gods. Everything they had lost were restored to them.

Nearby pages
Chandramauli, Chandraprabhnath, Chandrapramardan, Chandraput, Chandrasen the king, Chandrasen the prince