Chapter-XVIII: Shravan Kumar

It was a beautiful day.

The forest region of Ayodhya was bright green and it's trees were dancing in breeze, yet there were complaints from peasants. They told that there were some wild animals that attacked farmers, farmlands, etc.,

The king went to the forest with his bow and arrows. He heard a noise near the river, it was like an animal drinking water. Hearing the sound he used the "Shabdhabaan" an arrow which uses sound waves to detect it's target.

The target was hit, bit suddenly the king heard a human cry from the direction. He was terrified and ran towards the voice. He saw a young man bleeding. Dashrath fell on his knees before the young man and tried to help him.

But the young man said,"Oh lord, what good deeds did do to die in the hands of the great rightfull ruler of Ayodhya." The words "rightfull ruler", pierced Dhashrath's heart. He told,"Oh youngman, don't worry, I will save you". The youngman chuckled humourlessly and added," my lord a dieing man knows his last breaths better than anyoune". Dhashrath was shocked to hear this and asked,"Who are you 'Mama praja'(My son)".

The young man said I am Shravan the son of Shantanu and Gyanvanti.

The king realized the aged blind couple. The young man requested the king to give water to his blind parent before his death and closed his eyes on Dhashrath's lap. Dhashrath was shocked to learn that the man he killed was the said great "ShravanKumar" who was the greatest pitru/matru bhakt of the era.