The everlasting world Thou hast attained: together with thy wife, And son, ascend to heaven;--to that third heav'n-- So difficult to be attained by men-- The heav'n that thou hast won." Then Indra rained Life-giving am.rit from the sky, and flowers That blossomed in the heavenly courts: while sounds Of music filled the air, and round him stood The gods, a vast assembly. Then the son Of Harišchandra rose, restored to life, And health, his mind and senses whole, his form More beautiful than ever: and the king Embraced his wife and son, with perfect joy Filled to o'erflowing, crowned with heavenly wreaths. Then Indra said: "Thou, with thy wife, and son, Shalt dwell in bliss supreme: bliss that thyself Hast purchased, by thy virtues and thy toils." Then spoke the king: "Hear me! most holy gods! Unbidden by my master, will I not To heaven itself ascend." Then Dharma spoke: "I am thy master. I assumed the form Of a Cha.n.dâla. All thy pain and woe Was brought upon thee by my magic power, And thou wast made a slave! I have beheld Thy truth, and thy uprightness. Saintly king! The highest place that heaven accords to men, Whose virtue has been tried and proved:--to that Ascend!" But Harišchandra answering, said: "Receive, most mighty lord! my words of praise And thanksgiving. I offer them to thee Full of affection. Lo! my people stand With grieving hearts, longing for my return. Can I ascend to heav'n while they on earth Lament for me? If they have ever slain, Brâhmans, or teachers of the holy law,-- If lust or avarice have ruled their hearts,-- Then may my labours and my toils atone, For these their sins. I may not leave my friends. For neither here, nor in the world to come, Can there be peace to one who casts aside The friend whose love is pure and true--the friend Who serves him from the heart. Return! Return! to heaven! O Indra! If thou grant My friends to rise with me, to heav'n will I Ascend; if not, with them will I descend To Nâraka." "O king! thy prayer is heard! Thy people's sins are pardoned: even for them, Hard though it be, thy toils and pains have gained A place in heaven." Thus mighty Indra spoke. Replied the king: "Indra! I will not leave My kinsmen. By his kinsmen's help a king His kingdom rules; by them he offers up The kingly sacrifice, and for himself Lays up a store of meritorious deeds. So have my kinsmen too enabled me To work whate'er I may of righteousness. My actions virtuous, my granted prayers, Truly I owe to them, for by their aid Have these been possible. May the reward Thou grantest me, I pray, be shared with them. My kinsmen, though I should ascend to heaven, I will not leave." "So be it!" Indra said; "So be it!" said the Brâhman; Dharma, too, Gave his assent; and then, in countless hosts, Appeared the heavenly chariots. Indra said: "Men of Ayodhya, ascend to heaven."