The story
Long ago there lived a young man named Shravan Kumar. His mother and father were old and blind, and Shravan loved them dearly. He fed them, bathed them and did everything for them with a happy heart.
One day his parents said, "Before we die, we wish to visit the holy places of pilgrimage." Shravan had no horse or cart. So he made two big baskets, hung them from a strong pole, seated his mother in one and his father in the other, and carried them on his shoulders from one holy place to another.
One evening, near the river Sarayu, his parents were thirsty. Shravan went to the river to fill a pot with water. In the forest nearby, the young prince Dasharatha of Ayodhya was hunting. Hearing the gurgling sound of the pot in the water, he thought it was a deer drinking and shot an arrow at the sound.
He heard a cry and ran — and found Shravan, badly hurt. "Please take this water to my thirsty parents," Shravan whispered, and then he died. Dasharatha, heartbroken, carried the water to the old couple and told them what had happened. In their grief they said he too would one day know the pain of losing a son.
Many years later, as king, Dasharatha remembered this when his own son Rama had to leave for the forest.
What we learn
- Serve and love your parents, especially when they are old.
- Think carefully before you act — Dasharatha's hasty arrow caused great sorrow.
- Our actions have results, sometimes much later.
A shloka to learn
Tvameva mata cha pita
त्वमेव माता च पिता त्वमेव त्वमेव बन्धुश्च सखा त्वमेव ।
त्वमेव विद्या द्रविणं त्वमेव त्वमेव सर्वं मम देव देव ॥
tvam eva mātā ca pitā tvam eva tvam eva bandhuś ca sakhā tvam eva |
tvam eva vidyā draviṇaṃ tvam eva tvam eva sarvaṃ mama deva deva ||
You are my mother and my father, my relative and my friend, my knowledge and my wealth — O Lord, you are everything to me.
Questions to talk about
- How did Shravan Kumar take care of his parents?
- Why did Dasharatha shoot the arrow? What should he have done?
- How can you help your parents or grandparents?
- Why is it important to think before we act?
Parents and teachers: read the story aloud, then talk about the questions together. Let children retell it in their own words.
Frequently asked questions
Where does the story of Shravan Kumar — the Son Who Served His Parents come from?
It is told in the Ramayana tradition (Ayodhya Kanda). This is a simple retelling for children.