In ancient India, Shravan Kumar was a young man renowned for his unparalleled devotion to his elderly, blind parents. When they expressed a final wish to visit the holy sites of the land, Shravan built a 'Kavadi'—a bamboo yoke with two baskets—and carried them on his shoulders across the country. One evening, while they rested in the forest of Ayodhya, Shravan went to the banks of the Sarayu River to fetch water. Nearby, King Dasharatha was hunting and, hearing the gurgling sound of the pitcher, mistook it for an elephant drinking. He released a lethal 'Shabdabhedi' arrow, which struck Shravan in the chest. Rushing to the scene, the horrified King found the dying youth. Shravan’s only concern was his thirsty parents; he begged the King to take them water before he breathed his last. When Dasharatha informed the parents of the tragedy, they were consumed by grief. Before passing away, they cursed the King, stating that he too would die from the pain of separation from his son—a prophecy that eventually led to the exile of Lord Rama and Dasharatha's subsequent death.
Devotion to one's parents is the highest virtue, and every action, whether intentional or accidental, carries inevitable karmic consequences.
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Questions about this story
What is the moral of Shravan Kumar's Filial Duty?
The story teaches that serving one's parents is a sacred duty and that the law of Karma ensures every action has a consequence. Shravan's devotion remains a gold standard for filial piety in Indian culture.
Who killed Shravan Kumar and why?
King Dasharatha of Ayodhya accidentally killed Shravan Kumar. He was practicing 'Shabdabhedi', the art of shooting an arrow based on sound alone, and mistook Shravan’s water pitcher for a wild animal.
What was the curse given to King Dasharatha?
Shravan's grieving parents cursed Dasharatha, saying that just as they were dying due to the loss of their son, he too would die from the agony of being separated from his own child.
How does Shravan Kumar's story relate to the Ramayana?
The curse placed on King Dasharatha by Shravan's parents is what later caused Dasharatha's death when Lord Rama was exiled to the forest for fourteen years.
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