The Story of Harishchandra - Part 7

The Brahmin told Rohidas to collect fragrant flowers from the garden. When he went, a black snake bit Rohidas and he died. The people told the Brahmin. They sent four servants to burn the body. They brought his body to the bank of Ganga River. They were going to burn the body when Harishchandra said they must pay the tax. After the tax was paid and the body had not fully burned, it started to rain putting the fire out. Tara arrived at this point and took the body in her lap.

Then, Vishwamitra arrived and gave her a blade to cut the body so nothing remains. Afterward, he went to the king of Kashi and told him there is a witch at the crematory that eats human flesh by cutting it up. The king called some people and told them to beat this witch. The people grabbed her by the hair and beat her. “Beat her. Separate her head,” they yelled. Such intolerable misery befell them. They still bear the grief of their son’s death. Yet they remain strong. Then, Harishchandra was told to beat her as well.