How a young man became a modern-day Shravan Kumar

By Mehak Minocha
You must have heard the tales of Shravan Kumar, the devoted young man who carried his blind parents on his shoulders to fulfill their wish of a holy pilgrimage.

In today’s fast-paced world, finding such devotion is rare. However, Siddhant Mishra, a 25-year-old from Delhi, has come close to becoming a modern-day Shravan Kumar.

Siddhant had lost his parents when he was young and had been brought up by his grandfather, whose wish was to visit India’s holy places before he died.

Siddhant had always been close to his grandfather, Mr. Ram Prasad, a retired schoolteacher.  As a child, he had spent countless hours listening to his grandfather’s stories, soaking in his wisdom.

The close relationship between the two continued even after Siddhant secured a job in Delhi. He would visit his grandfather regularly. During one such visit, Siddhant’s grandfather shared his long-held wish of going on a Teerth Yatra (holy pilgrimage).

Siddhant immediately offered to help. “Dadaji, why don’t we go on the Teerth Yatra together?” he asked. “I have some leaves, and we can visit all the places you want to see.”

He could see his 72-year-old grandfather’s eyes light up. However, Mr. Ram Prasad hedged saying he was not sure if his health would allow him to take such an arduous journey. Siddhant told him not to worry. “I’ll be with you every step of the way,” he assured him.

They started their journey with the sacred ghats of Varanasi as their first stop. As soon as they reached Varanasi, Siddhant could sense a change in his grandfather; he stood taller, seemingly refreshed by the spiritual energy of the place. Together, they performed the rituals at the banks of the Ganges and then sat quietly on the ghats, enjoying the calmness of the flowing water.

Next, they travelled to Haridwar, where they participated in the evening Aarti at Har Ki Pauri. The sight of the floating diyas on the river and the chanting moved Mr. Ram Prasad to tears. He felt a deep sense of calm come over him, knowing that he was one step closer to fulfilling his lifelong dream.

Their journey continued to Rishikesh, Badrinath, and Kedarnath, each site bringing new experiences and deeper connections. Mr. Ram Prasad shared stories of the places, their history, and spiritual significance, while Siddhant listened with the same awe and respect he had as a child.

One evening, as they sat by the serene waters of the Yamuna in Vrindavan, Mr. Ram Prasad expressed to his grandson how this journey has given him more than just the fulfillment of a lifelong dream. It has given him a new perspective on life. “Seeing these places with you by my side has been the greatest blessing,” he said in a voice quivering with emotion.

Their final destination was Rameshwaram, where they offered prayers at the Ramanathaswamy Temple.

When they returned home, Mr. Ram Prasad was a changed man. The pilgrimage had filled him with a new enthusiasm for life.

Siddhant may not have carried Mr. Ram Prasad on his shoulders, but he had given his grandfather the same joy and peace that Shravan Kumar must have given to his parents.

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