Bhagat Maalaa ~ Part XIV - The Story of Sarvan Bhagat

The Story of Sarvan Bhagat

jaisae maath pithaa kaeree saevaa saravan keenee
sikh biraloee gur saevaa t(h)eharaavee ||

Just as the noble Sarvan served his blind parents so dedicatedly
So is the rare disciple who would stay and serve his Guru.
(Bhai Gurdas Ji; Kabit 103 pg. 1.)

In his Kabit, Bhai Gurdas Ji likens the unconditional service and devotion of Sarvan Kumar to his parents to the devotion a Sikh has for the Guru.

In the age of Tretha Yug lived an old couple named Shantavan Kumar and Gyanvanti Devi. After learning that Gyanvanti was unable to conceive, both husband and wife decided to become hermits and lived in solitude to meditate upon Shiva.

After many years of intense meditation, Shiva appeared before the couple. Pleased with their meditation, Shiva asked the couple to ask for a boon, as a reward of their devotion to him. Both Shantavan and Gyanvanti asked Shiva to bless them with a son. Shiva informed the couple that a child was not written in their Karma and in order for their wish to be fulfilled both husband and wife would lose their vision as a result.

Both Shantavan and Gyanvanti accepted their fate and said to Shiva, "O Lord Shiva, if having a child means we are born blind in another seven rebirths, then so be it."

Shiva granted them their wish. Soon Gyanvanti gave birth to a beautiful boy. He was named Sarvan Kumar. The moment Sarvan was born, both Shantavan and Gyanvanti lost their vision.

As Sarvan grew older, he turned his attention to devoting his life and serving his parents instead of God. A day came where Sarvan was faced with the truth regarding his birth and the sacrifice both his parents made for him to be born. Struck with guilt and contrition, Sarvan decided to take his parents on a pilgrimage to the forty Hindu holy places of worship in an attempt to restore his parents' vision.

Sarvan made a carriage from a solid bamboo stick and hung two baskets either side with ropes. In one basket he sat his mother and on the other side he sat his father. Day and night he would carry his blind, old parents on his shoulder.

As they came near to the end of their pilgrimage, Sarvan's father asked him to fetch some water to quench his thirst. Sarvan placed the carriage down, picked up his pitcher and made his way to the nearby forest. On the other side of the forest, Sarvan's maternal uncle, Raja Dasrath of Ayodhya was on a hunting expedition. Sarvan reached the riverside and immersed the pitcher into the water. Raja Dasrath's attention turned to the sound of the trickling water. Assuming there was a deer drinking water at the riverside; he drew his bow and shot an arrow in the direction of Sarvan.

The arrow fatally pierced the heart of the young boy. Sarvan fell to the ground and cried out "Ram Ram Ram" three times. On hearing the pain stricken cries of the young boy, Raja Dasrath ran towards Sarvan. Realising he has just shot his nephew; a horrified and repentant Dasrath held the young boy in his arms and began to weep and wail out aloud.

Sarvan said to his uncle, "O Mamma Ji now is not the time to be crying. There is very little time. My old parents are thirsty. They will die of thirst if they do not receive this water. Please take this pitcher and give them this water."

Sarvan breathed his last and died in the arms of his maternal uncle. A mortified and guilt stricken Raja Dasrath picked the pitcher of water and carried the lifeless body of his nephew upon his shoulder. He made his way to the spot where Sarvan's parents were eagerly waiting for the return of their son.

Raja Dasrath approached the carriage. Wanting to avoid revealing the events of the tragic death of his nephew to Sarvan's parents, he splashed some of the water on Gyanvanti's face. Assuming Sarvan returned, Gyanvanti spoke, "Sarvan is that you my son? May the Lord bless you with a long life! We have been waiting so long for your return. What took you so long? Did you have to travel far to fetch us some water? Sarvan…? Please say something my son."

Too afraid to speak, Raja Dasrath let out a small murmur. Suspicious of the voice, Gyanvanti said, "Who are you? This is not the voice of my Sarvan! Keep away from us!"

Raja Dasrath: "O sister, this is your brother, Dasrath. I have brought you some water, please drink it."

"We refuse to drink this water. Until we do not hear the voice of our son Sarvan, we will not touch a drop of this water. We would rather die of thirst." Gyanvanti replied angrily.

Raja Dasrath clasped the feet of his sister and sobbed, "O my beloved sister. You will not be able to hear the voice of your beloved son, Sarvan. The support of your carriage has broken. I have killed your son!"

Raja Dasrath confessed and told them the truth about what happened in the forest. He placed the body of Sarvan in the laps of his blind parents.

Both Shantavan and Gyanvanti were unable to bear the grief of the death of their son and cursed Raja Dasrath. "Just as you have separated us from our beloved son, you will too face this pain. A day will come where you will be separated from your most beloved son!"

Both Shantavan and Gyanvanti ordered Raja Dasrath to perform the last funeral rites for Sarvan and for them to also be cremated in the funeral pyre with their son.

Sometime after the death of Sarvan, the curse took its toll. Raja Dasrath died as a result of being separated from his most beloved son, Rama, who was banished to the forest for 14 years. This led to epic event of the Ramayan.

Sarvan Kumar is deemed as a Bhagat, not for his devotion to the Lord, but to his parents. The way, in which Sarvan served his parents and took care of them, he is revered as the most obedient and dutiful son every parent desires. 

Bhai Gurdas has many writings that stress respect for one's birth parents. Sarvan is cited as a prime example of this virtue.

hovai saravan viralaa koee ||11||
Rare is any obedient son like Sravan of mythology who was most obedient to his blind parents. (11)
(Bhai Gurdas Ji Vaar 37) 

Related Articles:

Part I: Raja Ambrik

Part II: Bhagat Angra ji and Bhagat Bidar

Part III: Sri Dhru Bhagat & Sri Prahladh Bhagat ji

Part IV: The Story of Ajaamal

Part V: The Story of Bhagat Sudama

Part VI: The story of Gotam Muni & Ahalia

Part VII: The Story of Raja Janak

Part VIII: The Story of Raja Bali

Part IX: The Story of Ajraja-Akrur

Part X:The Story of Bhisham Pitaama 

Part XI: The Story of Chandar Hans

Part XII: The stories of Durbaasha Rishi and Gajinder (the Elephant)

Part XIII:The Stories of Kubija Maalan and Oudhar

Part XIV:The Story of Sarvan Bhagat

Part XV: The Story of Rishi Balmeek 

Part XVI: The Stories of Sankaadik and Rukmaangudh

Part XVII: The Story of Sukdev Muni

Part XVIII: Madhusudan Demon Destroyer

Part XIX: Mother Daraupti

Part XX: The Story of Ganika

Part XXI: Sulhi & Sulbi Khan's Evil Conspiracy

Part XXII: The Story Raja Hari Chand

Part XXIII: The Story of Kaesee Dainth

Part XXIV: The Story of Raagmaala