Shravana Kumara
Shravana Kumara carried his blind parents, Shantanu and Gyanvanti, on a bamboo pole. He placed each parent in a basket tied to opposite ends of the wood. This simple device allowed him to transport them across vast distances without money for transport. The journey aimed to visit four sacred Hindu pilgrimage sites to purify their souls. His dedication defined his life before tragedy struck.
King Dasharatha hunted near a lake in the forest of Ayodhya. A sound drew his attention, so he loosed an arrow toward the noise. The projectile struck a teenage boy named Shravana who was collecting water. The boy bled heavily while explaining that he needed water for his sick and aged parents. Both parents were blind and relied entirely on his care during their travels.
Dasharatha delivered the water to the grieving hermits after Shravana died from his wounds. The couple could not bear the shock of losing their son. They cursed the king with Putrashoka, meaning grief over the loss of a child. This prophecy eventually manifested when Dasharatha died without seeing his beloved son Rama. Rama had been exiled due to orders given by the king himself under pressure from Queen Kaikeyi.
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. Villages named Serva and Savana surround this region according to folklore. An old memorial on the lake banks is now dilapidated and slowly withering away despite its historical significance.
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. Efforts continue to develop shrines that honor the story across India. Village names derived from the tale keep the memory alive among local populations today.
Continue Browsing
Common questions
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.