The Story of King Harsha and Diwali’s Connection to Generosity

In the golden age of Indian history, when dharma flourished and kings ruled with wisdom and compassion, there lived an extraordinary monarch whose name became synonymous with generosity itself—Emperor Harshavardhana. His connection to Diwali teaches us one of the festival’s most profound yet often forgotten lessons: that true prosperity lies not in accumulation, but in sharing with an open heart.

The Rise of King Harsha

A Kingdom Born from Tragedy

The story begins in the early 7th century CE in the kingdom of Thanesar (modern-day Haryana). Prince Harsha was born into the Pushyabhuti dynasty in 590 CE, the younger son of King Prabhakaravardhana. His childhood was filled with learning—he mastered Sanskrit, studied Buddhist and Hindu philosophy, trained in warfare, and developed a deep love for poetry and the arts.

But happiness was short-lived. When Harsha was just sixteen years old, tragedy struck. His father died in battle, and his elder brother Rajyavardhana ascended the throne. However, within months, Rajyavardhana was treacherously murdered by Shashanka, the king of Gauda (Bengal), during what was supposed to be a peace negotiation.

The kingdom plunged into chaos. The royal family was shattered. Harsha’s beloved sister, Rajyashri, had been married to Grahavarman, the king of Kannauj, who was also killed by Shashanka. Rajyashri herself was imprisoned and faced a terrible fate.

The Reluctant Emperor

At just sixteen, with his father and brother dead and his sister in mortal danger, Harsha was thrust onto the throne. But this young prince possessed an extraordinary character. Rather than being consumed by grief or revenge, he channeled his pain into purpose.

His first act was to rescue his sister. Learning that Rajyashri had escaped imprisonment and was about to commit sati in the forests of Vindhya, Harsha rode with a small band of loyal soldiers, found her just in time, and convinced her that life still held purpose—that together they would build a kingdom based on dharma and compassion.

This moment transformed Harsha. He vowed that no subject in his kingdom would ever suffer as his family had suffered. He pledged his life not to conquest for glory, but to creating a realm of peace, learning, and prosperity for all.

The Empire of Dharma

A Reign of Enlightenment

Over the next forty-one years, Harsha built one of India’s greatest empires, stretching from Punjab to Assam, from the Himalayas to the Narmada River. But what made his reign legendary was not the size of his territory—it was the nature of his rule.

Justice and Administration Harsha personally traveled throughout his empire, listening to the grievances of common people. He established a sophisticated administrative system with officials who were chosen for merit, not birth. He created rest houses along major roads, planted trees for shade, and dug wells for travelers. Crime rates fell dramatically because the king ensured that people’s basic needs were met.

Patronage of Learning Harsha transformed his capital, Kannauj, into a center of learning that rivaled the great universities of the world. He invited scholars from across Asia, patronized poets and playwrights, and himself composed three Sanskrit plays that survive to this day: Nagananda, Ratnavali, and Priyadarshika.

The famous Chinese traveler Xuanzang (Hiuen Tsang) visited India during Harsha’s reign and left detailed accounts of the emperor’s character and kingdom. He described Harsha as tireless in his duties, sleeping only for a few hours, spending the rest of his time in administration, study, and religious devotions.

The Philosophy of a King

Harsha was deeply influenced by Buddhist philosophy, though he remained respectful of all faiths. He abolished capital punishment, restricted the killing of animals, and built hospitals for both humans and animals. But his most distinctive quality was his understanding of wealth and power.

He believed that a king was merely a trustee of the kingdom’s wealth, not its owner. The treasury belonged to the people, and he was its custodian, responsible for ensuring it flowed back to them in times of need. This philosophy would manifest most beautifully in his celebration of Diwali.

The Grand Diwali of Generosity

The Quinquennial Festival

Every five years, at the time of Diwali, King Harsha held an extraordinary event known as the Maha Moksha Parishad or the Great Assembly of Liberation. This was no ordinary celebration—it was a festival that embodied the highest ideals of dharma and challenged conventional notions of kingship and wealth.

Preparations for the Sacred Festival

Months before Diwali, proclamations were sent throughout the empire and to neighboring kingdoms. All were welcome—scholars, monks, priests, artists, merchants, farmers, the poor, the sick, and the destitute. Special arrangements were made:

Thousands of temporary dwellings were constructed along the banks of the sacred rivers, particularly at Prayag (modern Allahabad), where the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mystical Saraswati meet
Storehouses were filled with food, clothing, medicines, and gifts
Scholars prepared for debates and discussions on philosophy and dharma
Artists readied performances of music, dance, and drama

The Five-Day Celebration

The festival lasted for seventy-five days, but the main events centered around Diwali week. Here’s what would unfold:

Day One: The Gathering of Lights On the first day, as Diwali lamps illuminated the entire capital, King Harsha would welcome all guests personally. Regardless of their status—whether a renowned scholar or a poor widow—each received the same respectful greeting from the emperor. The city became a sea of lights, symbolizing the dispelling of ignorance and suffering.

Days Two and Three: Spiritual Discourse Learned debates were held on Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain philosophy. Harsha himself would participate, not as a king but as a humble student of truth. Awards were given to scholars, but more importantly, knowledge was freely shared. Libraries opened their collections, and manuscripts were copied and distributed.

Day Four: Honoring the Divine Elaborate pujas were performed for Buddha, Surya (the Sun God), and Shiva. Images made of gold and precious gems were created and worshipped. But this worship was preparation for what would come next—the ultimate act of detachment.

Day Five: The Great Distribution – Maha Daan This was the culmination of the festival, the day that revealed Harsha’s true understanding of Diwali’s meaning.

The Ultimate Act of Generosity

On the final day, something unprecedented would occur. King Harsha would bring forth the entire accumulated wealth of his treasury—gold, silver, precious gems, silk, and valuables that had been collected over five years.

The distribution followed a sacred order:

First Distribution: He would give away wealth to Buddhist monks, Hindu priests, and Jain ascetics. Monasteries and temples received generous donations for their maintenance and for feeding the poor.

Second Distribution: Scholars, artists, physicians, and teachers received gifts in honor of their service to society. Harsha believed that those who enlightened minds and healed bodies were society’s greatest treasures.

Third Distribution: The poor, the sick, orphans, widows, and the elderly received food, clothing, medicines, and money. No one was turned away. People who had walked for days to reach the festival found their suffering acknowledged and alleviated.

Fourth Distribution: The king would give away his personal possessions—his royal garments, ornaments, even the crown. According to Xuanzang’s account, Harsha would strip himself of everything until he wore only a simple cloth.

The Final Offering: When nothing remained, Harsha would turn to his sister Rajyashri, who would give him a simple cloth to replace the one he wore, completing the cycle of giving and receiving.

Returning Empty, Departing Full

After this complete divestment, Harsha would bow before the assembly and say words that captured the essence of his philosophy:

“All that was mine is now returned to you, for it came from you. A king without subjects is no king at all. The wealth of the kingdom belongs to the kingdom. I am merely its guardian for a brief moment in time. Today, I return everything and begin again, unburdened, to serve you once more.”

Then, his ministers and nobles would offer him gifts to restart the treasury—not out of obligation, but from gratitude and love. The cycle would begin anew.

The Deeper Meaning: Diwali’s Forgotten Wisdom

Beyond Materialism

King Harsha’s Diwali celebration teaches us profound truths often forgotten in modern festivities:

1. True Wealth is Flow, Not Accumulation Harsha understood that wealth, like water, must flow to remain pure and life-giving. Hoarded wealth becomes stagnant and breeds suffering. Circulated wealth creates prosperity for all.

2. Leadership as Trusteeship Those who hold power and resources are trustees, not owners. They have a sacred responsibility to ensure these resources serve the greater good.

3. Detachment Brings Liberation By giving away everything every five years, Harsha freed himself from attachment. This act of renunciation wasn’t deprivation—it was liberation. He proved that happiness doesn’t come from possessing, but from sharing.

4. Generosity Creates Abundance Paradoxically, by giving away everything, Harsha’s kingdom became more prosperous. His generosity inspired loyalty, attracted talent, reduced crime, and created a culture where people took care of each other.

5. Diwali as Social Renewal While Diwali celebrates the victory of light over darkness, Harsha showed that this victory is incomplete if it’s only spiritual or personal. True victory over darkness means eliminating the darkness of poverty, ignorance, and suffering in society.

The Connection to Lakshmi

The worship of Goddess Lakshmi on Diwali takes on deeper meaning through Harsha’s example. Lakshmi is not just the goddess of wealth—she’s the goddess of prosperity, which includes:

Material abundance (dhana)
Courage and determination (dhairya)
Spiritual merit (punya)
Knowledge (vidya)
Food and nourishment (anna)

Harsha’s festival honored all forms of Lakshmi, understanding that true prosperity encompasses every aspect of human wellbeing.

Historical Impact and Legacy

What Happened to the Empire?

Harsha died in 647 CE at the age of seventy-two. His empire, built on his personal character rather than institutional structures, fragmented after his death. He left no heir, and his nobles divided the territories.

But his legacy endured in ways more profound than political boundaries:

Cultural Impact: The age of Harsha is remembered as a golden era of Indian culture. His patronage created literary masterpieces, advanced Buddhist learning, and fostered an artistic renaissance.

Philosophical Influence: His model of dharmic kingship influenced rulers for centuries. The concept of the king as “servant of the people” became an ideal against which rulers were measured.

The Diwali Tradition: While the grand quinquennial festivals ended, the spirit of generosity on Diwali persisted. Many communities maintain traditions of charity during Diwali, feeding the poor and sharing wealth.

Lessons for the Modern Age

In today’s world of increasing inequality and materialism, King Harsha’s story offers timeless wisdom:

For Individuals: True happiness comes not from what we accumulate but from what we share. The joy of giving exceeds the pleasure of receiving.

For Leaders: Those in power must see themselves as servants and trustees. Success should be measured not by personal wealth but by the wellbeing of all.

For Society: A healthy society ensures wealth circulates. When resources pool at the top, everyone—including the wealthy—ultimately suffers.

For Festivals: Religious celebrations aren’t complete if they don’t address social suffering. Spirituality divorced from social responsibility is hollow.

Celebrating Harsha’s Spirit This Diwali

Practical Ways to Honor This Legacy

You don’t need to be an emperor to embody Harsha’s generosity:

1. The 10% Principle Set aside 10% of what you spend on Diwali celebrations for charity. If you spend ₹10,000 on gifts and sweets, donate ₹1,000 to those in need.

2. Include the Excluded Invite someone lonely or less fortunate to your Diwali celebration. Share your feast with those who might otherwise go hungry.

3. Gift Meaningfully Instead of expensive but unnecessary gifts, consider what recipients truly need. For domestic workers, perhaps a bonus or needed household items. For friends, perhaps a donation to their favorite cause.

4. Support Local Artisans Buy your diyas, decorations, and gifts from local craftspeople, supporting livelihoods rather than corporations.

5. Create Your Own Distribution Organize a community gift distribution—old clothes in good condition, books, toys, or food—to orphanages, old age homes, or poor neighborhoods.

6. The Gesture of Simplicity Consider simplifying your own celebration to make resources available for sharing. Cook at home instead of expensive restaurants. Skip firecrackers and donate that money instead.

7. Teach Children Involve children in charitable activities. Let them choose toys or books to donate. Take them to distribute food or gifts. These experiences shape character.

A Prayer for Diwali

Let us conclude with a prayer inspired by King Harsha’s spirit:

May the light of Diwali illuminate not just our homes, but our hearts.
May the wealth of Lakshmi flow through our hands to those in need.
May we be trustees of prosperity, not hoarders of wealth.
May we remember that true kingship is service,
True wealth is generosity,
True happiness is seeing others smile.

As King Harsha gave away everything,
May we too learn to hold lightly to possessions,
And hold tightly to dharma, compassion, and love.

May this Diwali remind us that we are all connected,
That another's suffering diminishes us,
And another's joy multiplies our own.

Om Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah
May all beings be happy and free from suffering.

Conclusion: The Emperor’s Gift to Us

King Harsha lived over 1,400 years ago, yet his message echoes across time with urgent relevance. In an age of unprecedented wealth alongside crushing poverty, his life asks us a profound question: What is wealth for?

His answer was clear: Wealth exists to be shared, to alleviate suffering, to create beauty, to spread knowledge, and to uplift all beings. A king—or anyone with resources—is merely a conduit through which prosperity flows to where it’s needed.

This Diwali, as we light our lamps and worship Lakshmi, let us remember the emperor who proved that the greatest wealth is a generous heart, the truest power is compassion, and the most lasting legacy is the love we create through service to others.

In honoring King Harsha’s memory, we don’t just celebrate an ancient ruler—we rekindle the flame of our own highest potential. We remember that each of us, in our own way, can be channels of light in someone’s darkness.

Jai Dharma! Jai Karuna! Jai Daan!
Victory to righteousness! Victory to compassion! Victory to generosity!

May your Diwali be blessed with the light of wisdom, the warmth of compassion, and the joy of sharing. May you receive abundantly and give generously, following in the footsteps of the great King Harsha.

Shubh Deepavali!