In plain words
In what way? He sold even his wife. He let his son die. He himself was sold. Standing by truth, he lived as a keeper of the burning ground. In what way? He went through these hardships to protect truth. Viśvāmitra said this very thing: “O Emperor! Tell just one untruth. I will surely agree. You will have none of these troubles,” he said. “I will give even my life, but I will not tell an untruth,” he said. Candramatī, his wife, also held his feet and prayed. ‘Lord! Though you have suffered so many troubles, I have no worries at all. But you have kept on protecting truth. The word stands. I am yours, and you are mine. So sell me to any rich man and keep your good name,’ she said. “Even if it means selling me, you must end these troubles of yours. Only do not take part in untruth,” she said. Though he went through many kinds of hardship, he took truth alone as his life-breath. What if his honour fell? He gained God's grace, and through truth itself the boy who had died came back to life. The kingdom he had lost came back too. His wife came to his side. Through what is called Īśvara's grace he attained divinity. Before, there was only the name Hariścandra. But today the name ‘Satya Hariścandra’ has stood for ever, through age after age, through world after world.
Embodiments of Prema! Everyone knows the power of truth. But, afraid that if they tell the truth their work will not get done, that some troubles will come, that they will fall into some hardship, through this very fear they forget truth and increase untruth. Why this fear? What comes of this fear? When does fear come? Fear comes only when one has done wrong. So if there is no wrong at all, fear does not come at all. Today, wherever you look, everything is fear, fear, fear.
Fear, fear, life is fear, brother, the trap of the lotus array this world has laid for us; for men who have no refuge, for families that are shattered, are troubles the only kin? Are tears the only gifts?