A SON'S DHARMA

               When King Sudhodana expired, the Buddha did not lament. Since death is a natural phenomenon, mourning is meaningless. However he fulfilled the duty of a son by performing the obsequies of his father. He tried his best to console the bereaved people and built a Stupa in his father’s memory.

                The Bhikshus were surprised when the Buddha behaved like an ordinary man doing mundane things. This was against their concept of the Budha- one who had broken all earthly bonds

                The Lord said- “ Those who don’t worship their parents, however virtuous they are, forget their Dharma. In one of my former births, I had dedicated my life to the service of my blind parents”.

              The Lord then narrated the story of Syamakan:- “ Long ago in Kashi, there lived a Brahmin, named Subandhu. His wife was Gomathy. They had a sweet son, named Syamakan. He was intelligent as well as virtuous. He considered his parents as living Gods. He was very careful in fulfilling all their wishes.

             A tragedy befell this blessed family. Subandhu and Gomathy lost their eye- sight. Doomed to eternal darkness, they set out to the forest, to lead the life of Vanaprastha.

             Syamakan felt uneasy. When his blind parents were living in the forest, how could he live comfortably in his home? As he could not dissuade them from their wise decision, he decided to follow his parents and serve them in the forest. He collected fruits, made garments from the bark of trees and brought water from the stream.

               One day, Brahmadatha, the King of Kasi, came to the forest for hunting. He hid behind the trees by the river side, hoping that some animals would come to drink water from the river.

                                                         

              With a pot in his hand, Syamakan walked towards the river. He was wearing deer- skin. He dipped the pot in the water. Brahmadatha heard the sound. He thought that a deer was drinking water. He shot an arrow. But, he heard a human cry! Have I missed the aim ? Brahmadatha was confused. He hurried to the spot.

            Syamakan was wriggling with pain. The King was shocked. How shall I explain my mistake ? To whom shall I beg my pardon ? He cursed his fate.

            Syamakan spoke in faltering words- “ O King ! I came here to take drinking water for my parents. I put on deer skin to protect myself from the cold. My blind parents are waiting for me in the Ashram. They are very thirsty. Please take this pot to the Ashram and give water to my parents. Hurry up! Please don’t tell them about my death”.

             His words became feeble. But his pathetic look was more piercing than the King’s sharp arrow.

            Carrying the pot of water, Brahmadatha walked towards the Ashram. At the sound of foot steps, the blind parents cried like children-

“water ! Give us water”

 Like newborn birds opening their mouth near the mother bird, they opened their mouth for water. The sad King stood stunned.

“ son why the delay ? We are thirsty, lad give us water” Their cry rent Brahmadatha’s heart. He said slowly- “ I’m not your son. I’m King Brahmadatha, the cruel hunter who killed your son. You can shower curses on me”

          Their tongues became silent. They fell down unconscious. The king sprinkled water on their faces. They sat up again and spoke in feeble voice- “ Please take us to the river-bed. Let us give our last kiss to our beloved son”.

            Brahmadatha led the aged parents to the river bed. He helped them to touch the body with their hands. The old man shrieked- “ My lad ! you dedicated your life for the service of your blind parents. You have been so dutiful and truthful that you will conquer death. “ If God exists in this universe He will hear my prayer- may life come back to you !”

             In response to the pious man’s prayer, Indra appeared on his white elephant. He was carrying a pot of nectar. With a smile, Indra sprinkled a drop of nectar on Syamakan’s face. He woke up as if from slumber.

           Brahmadatha shed tears of joy. By sprinkling more nectar, Indra healed the wounds on Syamakans body.

            The Buddha concluded the story of Syamakan by telling the Bhikshus that Syamakan was the Lord himself and the blind parents were Sudhodhana and Mayadevi.

             The Bhikshus were convinced that there was nothing wrong or strange in the Lord’s performing the funeral rites of his father. The greatest of all Dharmas is Service to the parents.

O

Prof. C. Chandramathy.