In the Indian sub-continent, King Harishchandra is synonymous with truth. To keep his word, he gave away his kingdom, and even his family, as he toiled as the keeper of a graveyard. His wife, Queen Taramati, was a spiritual adept. The King, however, restricted himself to the realm of his court
The shoes were an expensive gift from a neighbouring kingdom; the King picks up one shoe out of the pair, and returns to the palace. When the Queen returns, the King summons her, and asks to bring her shoes, because he wants the royal cobbler to have a look at them.
The Queen returns with the pair, and hands it over to the King, who cannot believe his eyes. Harishchandra tells his wife that he had followed her to the temple, and picked up one shoe. The Queen admits that she sings His prayers every day, but she had found the complete pair lying outside the temple. Taramati tells Harishchandra to join the spiritual company, because it will teach him to live a life of truthful principles, and the very cosmos will stand by a traveler on the spiritual path. Keeping truthful company is of prime importance to all seekers of truth. Guru Granth Sahib says:
Blessed, blessed is the True Congregation, where the Lord’s Essence is obtained./O Nanak, the Light of the His name shines forth.