Maha Lakshmi Vidya Bhavan Maha Lakshmi Vidya Bhavan

THE STORY OF
SHRAVAN KUMAR
By Shri Bankim Gossai
Gowswami Tulsidasji, in his Raamcharitmanas reported
these wonderful words of Bhagwaan Shri Raam as he
spoke to Ma Kaikeya:
“SUNO JANNEE SOYE SUTU BARD BHAGEE JO PITU MATU
BACHAN ANURAAGEE TANAI MATU PITU TOSHNIHARA
DURLABH JANNEE SAKAL SAMSARA”
Listen my mother; blessed is the son who loves to obey
his parents' commands. A son who thus contents his
mother and father is rare in this world".
RCM.Ayod.40.4
The above describes the greatness of one of the many
qualities Shri Raam showed to mankind having come on
earth. It is these qualities upon which MAN should
pattern his life in order for him to enjoy peace and
supreme happiness.
Parents, according to Shri Sanatan Dharma are our
earthly Gods. It is said:
"MAATRI DEVO BHAVA
Look upon mother as Divine.
PITRI DEVO BHAVA
Look upon Father as Divine".
Parents having brought us into being, nurtured us in
times of great difficulties, they also give us all that is
necessary towards a happy life. They give to deserving
children what Bhagwaan Himself cannot deprive them of.
The poet says:
"MAATA PITAA KAY CHARAN CHUA JO, CHAAR DHAAM
TIRTH PHAL PAAWAY"
By touching the feet of parents, honouring their wishes,
children attains the four fruits of Life - ARTH, KAMA,
DHARMA AND MOKSH.
“JO AASHEESH YEH DIL SAY DEY, BHAGWAAN SAY BHEE
TAALEE NAA JAAYEE”
50 1982-2007 SILVER JUBILEE
Whatever blessings parents give to a deserving child,
it's fruition cannot be denied even by God Himself.
But should parents always be the ONLY giving source of
love and affection? I present to you, dear devotees, the
answer to this question as was demonstrated by a great,
dutiful and caring son, SHRAVAN KUMAR (means one who
listens).
During the reign of Aja (Dasratha's father), there lived a
boy, Shravan Kumar, who was a Vaish by caste. Both his
parents Gyanvati and Shantavan had become blind, old
and weak and were unable to even walk. Shravan Kumar
rendered service to his invalid parents with care,
sincerity and devotion and he tried to fulfil every wish
they would express.
When Shravan Kumar heard that only a pilgrimage to the
seven holy sites would restore his parent’s sight, he
pledged to carry them on his shoulders. He made a
contraption of two baskets hanging from a bamboo and
carried them to the places of worship (Tirthas). During the
journey, the son would bring kandamool-phala (roots and
forest fruits) from the forest to feed them, as begging is
prohibited for Kshyatrias (fighters) and Vaishas (traders).
Brahmins were allowed to beg for their livelihood, but
they were expected to spread knowledge in return. Sudras
(workers) served the above mentioned two communities.
During the pilgrimage, Shravan arrived in a forest near
Ayodhya. One night his parents felt thirsty and Shravan
Kumar took an earthen vessel and went to the bank of
Saryu to fetch water. At that time Dasratha, who was
hunting for wild animals heard the sound of the vessel
dipping into the water, and mistaking the sound for that
of thirsty elephants and deers, he aimed an arrow
towards the sound and shot his deadly arrow which
pierced the chest of Shravan Kumar. Shravan gave out a
shriek, fell on the ground moaning and dying, leaving his
old, weak and blind parents helpless and alone in the
dark night in the forest.
Hearing the moaning, Dasratha came running and saw
the innocent boy clad in the bark of trees, lying in a pool
of blood on the ground. When Shravan saw the prince, he
told Dasratha he was a Vaish boy, and had come from far