The story of Shravan Kumar is a famous tale from the Hindu epic Ramayana. The story highlights a son's intense devotion to his blind parents. This inspiring story teaches us a powerful moral lesson about duty towards parents, respect, and the Karmic effect (law of karma).
Read the story of an unfortunate young hermit boy Shravan Kumar who was greatly devoted to his blind and old parents.
Introduction to Shravan Kumar
Long ago there lived a boy named Shravan Kumar. His parents were old and blind, so Shravan Kumar had to do all the household work in addition to taking care of his parents.
Shravan Kumar was a very responsible and dutiful son. He was very dedicated to his parents and he used to willingly fulfill all their wishes. As his parents grew older, once they expressed their desire to go on a pilgrimage.
In the olden days people (Hindus) used to go on pilgrimage in their old age to get purified of their sins.
The Holy Pilgrimage
Shravan brought two big bowl-shaped baskets, tied them to a big bamboo stick and made a balance like device to carry his parents. He then placed each of his parent in each basket and kept the bamboo stick alongwith the baskets and his parents, on his shoulder. He thus set for pilgrimage carrying his parents on his shoulder.
On the way Shravan Kumar offered fruits to his parents. After walking for a long distance, they reached a forest near Ayodhya. Shravan kumar's parents felt thirsty and asked him to fetch water.
Shravan Kumar carefully placed the baskets in which his parents are sitting, under a tree and went to fetch water from the nearby Sarayu River.
Prince Dasaratha's Entry
Dasaratha (King of Ayodhya and father of Sri Rama) who, at that time, was the crown prince of Ayodhya was wandering in the forest hunting animals. In those days hunting wild animals was a royal time pass activity.
Dasaratha was specialised in shooting arrows at an animal just by hearing the sound made by the animal without actually spotting it.
While Prince Dasaratha was busy hunting animals, at the same time Shravan Kumar who came the river to fetch water. As he dipped the empty earthen pot into the river to fill it with water, it produced a typical bubble sound.
The Tragic Incident at River Sarayu
Prince Dasaratha who was hunting animals, heard the sound and mistook it to be an animal (an elephant). He directly shot an arrow in the direction of sound. The arrow swiftly moved in the air and straight away pierced into Shravan Kumar's chest who yelled in pain.
On hearing the cry of a human voice, Prince Dasaratha was taken aback and rushed to the spot. He was shocked to see an innocent young hermit boy crying in pain lying down in a pool of blood.
Prince Dasaratha was very much upset at the sight and neared the boy. On seeing the prince, Shravan Kumar told him that he came to the river to fetch water for his thirsty blind parents who are eagerly waiting for him to get the water.
Shravan kumar requested Dasaratha to pull out the arrow from his chest and relieve him from pain. He told Dasaratha to take water for his blind parents and informed them about the situation.
Dasaratha pulled out the arrow from Shravan Kumar's chest and then carried potful of water to his blind parents who were waiting for their dear son to come and quench their thirst.
As Dasaratha went near them and offered water, the blind parents could immediately sense that it was not their son and they refused to drink water. They asked who he is and what happened to their son.
Dasaratha revealed his identity and with a heavy heart, narrated all that had happened. The blind hermit parents couldn't control themselves on hearing the plight of their son and ordered Dasarath to carry them to the place where their son was lying.
Shravan Kumar's Tragic Death
Dasaratha carried them to the spot where Shravan Kumar was lying and yelling in pain. On seeing his parents, Shravan Kumar said that he is a very unfortunate son for he couldn't fulfill the wish of his parents.
He told that he would be eagerly waiting for them in the heaven and would resume his services to his parents when they reach heaven.
After uttering those last words to his parents, Shravan Kumar fell down at the feet of his parents and breathed his last.
Curse to King Dasaratha
The poor grief-stricken parents couldn't tolerate the separation and blamed Dasaratha for killing their innocent son.
They cursed him saying that Dasaratha too would meet his death in a similar situation. After cursing the prince, the hermit couple left to the heavenly abode.
The Karmic Effect
Years later, Shravan Kumar's parent's curse worked. King Dasaratha could not escape himself from the Karmic effect. He met with similar situation as that of Shravan Kumar's pareent's.
King Dasaratha grieved in pain as he couln't tolerate the separation of his beloved son Sri Rama who was sent to 14 years of forest exile (vanvas). He then breathed his last in a painful manner.
Moral of the Story
This age-old story teaches the lesson that one cannot escape from Karmic effect, be it good or bad. Everyone will experience the effect of Karma (deed) at any time in their life. So the lesser the sins committed, the happier the life would be.
Final Note
In conclusion, the story of Shravan Kumar remains an eternal symbol of parental love and selflessness. His life teaches us the profound values of respect and care for our elders, while his tragic end highlights the inescapable law of karma. By understanding the moral of Shravan Kumar, we learn that devotion to parents is one of the highest virtues a person can practice in life.