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Questions about Shravana Kumara

Short answers, pulled from the story.

Who were the parents of Shravana Kumara in the Ramayana?

Shravana Kumara carried his blind parents named Shantanu and Gyanvanti on a bamboo pole. The couple relied entirely on his care during their travels to visit four sacred Hindu pilgrimage sites.

How did King Dasharatha accidentally kill Shravana Kumara near Ayodhya?

King Dasharatha loosed an arrow toward a noise he heard while hunting near a lake in the forest of Ayodhya. The projectile struck a teenage boy named Shravana who was collecting water for his sick and aged parents, causing him to die from heavy bleeding.

What curse did the grieving hermits place upon King Dasharatha after Shravana died?

The couple cursed the king with Putrashoka which means grief over the loss of a child. This prophecy eventually manifested when Dasharatha died without seeing his beloved son Rama.

Where is the location associated with the death of Shravana Kumara according to local tradition?

Local tradition identifies Sarvan in Unnao district as the place where Shravana died. Another account places the event at Darvan Lake in Ambedkar Nagar district about 80 kilometers from Ayodhya.

Which sites exist today to commemorate the legend of Shravana Kumara across India?

A site called Shravan Dhaam exists near Darvan Lake to commemorate the legend. Mukhed in Nanded district of Maharashtra holds a samadhi dedicated to Shravana.