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<strong>Our</strong> <strong>Bapu</strong><br />
he had been told. But the parents were old and infirm. The news of the death<br />
of their beloved son was too much for them, and they cried and wailed till their<br />
hearts broke with sorrow, and they died. And what happened to King Dashrath,<br />
mother?" Hari asked.<br />
"As the law of divine justice would have it, King Dashrath also died sorrowing<br />
for his son." "But, mother, please explain to me how these stories influenced<br />
the life of <strong>Bapu</strong>."<br />
"The child Mohan read these stories, and he made up his mind to be truthful<br />
like Harishchandra and to serve the poor and the needy like Shravankumar.<br />
Harishchandra and Shrawankumar became his heroes. Shravan had only served<br />
his parents, but when Mohandas grew up, he gave up all his, comfort and his<br />
wealth in order to serve the four hundred millions of Indians- men, women and<br />
children, Muslims and Hindus, Brahmins as well as untouchables, princes as well<br />
as beggars. For him they were all one and he loved them all equally."<br />
Hari was listening with rapt attention and his mother was happy to see that he<br />
was so deeply interested. She could see that Hari was already beginning to feel<br />
the influence of <strong>Bapu</strong>'s noble example. She then continued.<br />
11. This version of the 'Story of Harishchandra' is different from the familiar South Indian<br />
version.<br />
12. Low caste singer.<br />
13. Cremation ground by the side of a river<br />
www.mkgandhi.org Page 11
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