Shravan Kumar revisited

Mumbaikars are self-centred and have been so even in the times of Shravan Kumar. Yes, the very same personage who has become a byword for his unstinted devotion to his old, blind parents, whom he carried on a sling to pilgrim spots.

Mumbaikars are self-centred and have been so even in the times of Shravan Kumar. Yes, the very same personage who has become a byword for his unstinted devotion to his old, blind parents, whom he carried on a sling to pilgrim spots. Having heard of the city8217;s famous pilgrim centres of Babulnath, Mumba Devi and Walkeshwar, Shravan Kumar once embarked on a journey to Mumbai.

After trudging many a mile, he reached the city8217;s outskirts. Then disaster struck. Shravan Kumar put his sling down, took a deep yawn and sat down. 8220;Have we arrived in Mumbai, beta?8221; asked his father. 8220;Are we at the Mumba Devi teerth? But I do not hear any crowds here.8221; Shravan took a minute to answer, 8220;No. Mumbai is still some distance away. But I am sick of carrying you around. This is the end. I am leaving you here, and returning home alone. After all I too have a right to my life.8221;

When his old parents heard him, they burst into tears, 8220;What has come over you? You have been such a good son to us.8221; To which their son shot back, 8220;Precisely. But what have I got in return? No money, no support. Instead, it has been my lot to lug you around. Enough. I am going home to find myself a wife.8221;

When his parents suggested that they all go back together as a family, their recalcitrant son shouted, 8220;So you want me to carry you back? No way.8221; Finally the father said, 8220;Okay, go your way, son. But please take us to a spot where there8217;s some water.8221;

Shravan, hesitated, and then picked up the sling and started walking away from Mumbai. He found a well eventually and put the sling down. He fetched water for his parents and fed them. After a while, he again reached for the sling. 8220;But we thought you were leaving us here, son,8221; said his mother, surprised. 8220;But why, mother? We have to visit Rameshwaram yet,8221; replied Shravan. He seemed to have completely forgotten his resolve to abandon them.

His father then realised that the sudden transformation of his dutiful son earlier had nothing to do with the boy himself. It was Mumbai8217;s air. It had temporarily made an ogre of Shravan Kumar.