Chapter-XXIV: A shock for the blind couple

King Dhashrath was shocked to learn that he had killed a great soul.

He picked the water container and went in search of the couple. He found them in the farest sitting in their baskets.

He neared the couple in slow steps. The couple heard the crumbling of dry leaves and thought, ShravanKumar has returned. King Dashrath held the water container to ShravanKumar's father Shanthanu and the old man accepted it.

Then the king held it near the old lady and she too satisfied her thirst. The couple after having enough water waited for their son's response. But when there was no sound the old man asked,"what happened my son? Why are you silent?"

The king squeezed his eyes shut hearing the word my son. He told,"Great man, sorry for my behavior. But I am not your son."

The couple gave a shocked expression and Devi Gyanvanti asked,"who are you? And where is out son?"

The king again squeezed his eyes for a moment and said," I am Dashrath the king of Ayodhya."

The couple were glad to hear this and each gave a bright smile. Then the old man spoke,"Oh my lord! We have made a great punya to meet you in this life. We have heard many things about you.This is my wife Gyanvanti, she is a distant relative to you."

The king bowed before them and said,"it was my pleasure to meet great people like you."

Gyanvanti said,"where has ShravanKumar gone at this moment to fetch water?" Then she gave a known expression and asked,"how did you get the water container?"

King Dashrath felt a crumbling pain to see this worried mother and said,"My lady please forgive me, but I shot your son for an animal during the hunt. I know I have created an unforgivable sin and am ready to accept any punishment."

The world froze for the couple on hearing their son's death and their eyes welled up.