Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Today's Shravan Kumar

        The two ends of a strong bamboo were tied with equally strong ropes. A basket each, was suspended on both the ends. Father sitting in one basket, mother in the other, he simulated the weighing scale in his own unique way. Aged parents wanted him to take them to pilgrimages. Motion and transport was scarce and very costly those days. He had the utmost respect and sincere love for his blind parents. So he started their journey so that he could fulfill his parents wishes. After many successful visits to many holy places shrines in this manner, they reached the banks of the river Sarayu. While his parents were resting, Shravan was searching and picking fruits in the nearby areas for food. King Dashratha on his hunting journey, misunderstood Shravan for an animal from a long distance and shot him and killed him only to realize later that the King had committed a grave mistake. Somehow he found out about his parents, and he brought dead Shravan's body to his parents and seeked an apology for his action. Shravan's blind parents cursed Dashratha, they were devoid of their son's love and even he would face the same. Rest we know is history.
Since then, Shravan Kumar became the symbol of exemplary and unconditional love for parents and the responsibility we need to show towards our parents.

In an India of 2014, I present to you a real life story of a man who I perceive as a modern day Shravan Kumar. Here we go with the story of a person I know. I don't want to disclose his real name. So let's just call him Shravan. Sounds apt for the context. : )

Shravan swore that he will never ever get married. Shravan never questioned the intentions of his small brother Raman, but his sister-in-law Lekha used to ruin the sanctity and decorum of the house and used to create ruckus out of petty things, specially money matters. She never trusted parents with Raman's earned money. She treated the parents with utter disgust and never acknowledged the presence of Shravan. If not quarreling with family members, she would be found spending her time on facebook and giggling at forwarded jokes on whatsapp. Raman tried pacifying the showdowns with the parents but he was also slowly slipping out. They wanted to move out.

Later on, Raman also started doubting his parents over many issues and sought answers from them on various occasions. Shravan used to quell these heated arguments. Mutual understanding lost grip of control. Shravan had a word with Raman, Lekha and parents to decide the end of this commotion. All of them came to agreement that, in the best interest of the family, Raman and Lekha move out of their home and live life separately.

A doctor by profession, Shravan contributes to the society very delightfully. Despite hefty and lucrative offers from private hospitals, he continues to practice medicine in a public funded medical institute. Shravan has a pact with his employer that if he dies in any circumstances, he wants all his organs donated to the institute, and in turn, the employer take care of his parents. Apart from that, Shravan has also put efforts to set up an internal committee for patients above the age of 50. The committee monitors the ailments given to these patients and also helps them in monetary relaxation if they are unable to pay for their treatment. Shravan heads this committee himself and monitors the status everyday. Shravan devotes 4-6 hours for the hospital. He draws a very simple amount that is sufficient to make ends meet.

Shravan wakes up at 5 in the morning. He escorts his parents to a nearby park. They are joined by a group of elders who live in the vicinity. All of them then visit the Krishna temple and recite melodious verses and bhajans. He puts a 5 rupee coin in the donation box and accompanies his parents back home. While he is preparing lunch, he loves to listen his mother recite the excerpts of Bhagawad Gita. He feeds his mother and father very graciously. After they finish the delightful meal, Shravan has his lunch in whatever remains in his parents' plates.

Shravan heads for work where he is highly praised by officials and staff for his selfless and efficient work. They say, they are very happy to work with Shravan as a colleague. Early evening, he returns home where he immediately prepares dinner, then gives his ailing father the prescribed injections and medicines. After food, they again visit the temple for offering evening prayers to the lord. This time, after recitals and bhajans, the elders have a stroll in the park while Shravan catches a comfortable place in the meantime.

Shravan very happily gazes at his satisfied parents, the beautiful atmosphere and pens down random poetry for a local magazine which pays him a stipend helpful for his savings for his parents. He again sees his parents, cherishing their joy and seizing the moment. At night, he thanks the almighty, he thanks mother nature, he thanks his parents, for everything given to him. Very emotionally, he touches their feet as a mark of respect and quietly goes to bed planning for the schedule of the next day.

Shravan is content. Shravan is very happy. Shravan is smiling. Shravan is satisfied. Shravan is today, being cremated by his parents, who are crying profusely. "There lays your son, who had a cardiac arrest this morning. He sacrificed his whole life for others. For him, it was never himself, but parents, elders and others," Said his employer to his wailing parents. Neither Raman, nor Lekha have responded to the news. Probably, Shravan's existence does not make any radical change in their life. They are happy in their life, earning loads of money. Today is no different day for them.

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