Shravan Kumar: A Son’s Ultimate Devotion
Shravan Kumar took care of all their needs - cooking their food, helping them move around, and making sure they were always comfortable. His parents loved him dearly and often blessed him for his devotion.
One day, Shravan’s parents expressed a long-held wish. They said, "Son, before we leave this world, we wish to go on a pilgrimage to holy places." In those days, travelling was difficult, especially for people who were old and blind.
Shravan Kumar thought for a moment and then said gently, "Do not worry. I will take you to every holy place you wish to visit."
He prepared a special bamboo pole with two baskets, one on each end. He seated his parents carefully in the baskets and carried the pole on his shoulders. In this way, Shravan began a long journey, walking through forests, villages, rivers, and mountains.
Wherever people saw him carrying his parents with such care and patience, they were amazed. Many praised him and said, "This boy is a perfect example of devotion to parents."
Days passed, and Shravan continued his journey happily. He never complained about the long distances or the heavy load. His only joy was seeing his parents satisfied and peaceful.
One evening, after a long day of walking, Shravan and his parents reached a forest near a river. His parents felt thirsty and asked him for some water. Shravan carefully placed the baskets down and said, "Please wait here. I will bring water for you."
He took a pot and went towards the river.
At that very moment, the king of Ayodhya, Dasharatha, was hunting in the forest. King Dasharatha was known for his skill of shooting arrows by sound. When he heard the sound of water being filled in a pot, he thought it was a deer drinking water.
Without seeing the target, he quickly shot an arrow in that direction.
A painful cry echoed through the forest.
The arrow had struck Shravan Kumar.
King Dasharatha immediately rushed to the spot and was shocked to see a young boy lying on the ground with his arrow in his chest. Shravan Kumar was badly injured.
With great sorrow, the king said, "My child, I made a terrible mistake. I thought you were an animal."
Shravan Kumar spoke softly despite his pain. "My parents are waiting for me nearby. They are blind and thirsty. Please take this water to them and tell them what happened."
Soon after saying this, Shravan Kumar breathed his last.
King Dasharatha’s heart was filled with grief. He took the pot of water and went to the place where the old parents were waiting.
They heard the footsteps and thought their son had returned. They asked lovingly, "Shravan, why did you take so long? We are very thirsty."
With a heavy voice, King Dasharatha told them the truth. When the parents learned that their beloved son had died, they were filled with unbearable sorrow. Before they passed away from grief, they cursed the king that one day he too would suffer the pain of losing his son.
This curse later came true when Dasharatha had to live without his son Ram, as described in the great epic Ramayana.
Even today, the name of Shravan Kumar is remembered with great respect. His story has been told for generations as a symbol of perfect devotion to parents.
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