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a story in which parents have suffered but son cant do anything
Here is a simple Jain-style story on this theme.
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The Helpless Son
In a small village lived an old couple – Devchand and his wife Sushila. All their life they worked honestly, never cheated anyone, always spoke truth, did jiv daya (kindness to all beings), and raised their only son, Harsh, with great love.
They ate less so he could eat more. They wore old clothes so he could go to school. They bore pain silently so he could have comfort.
With time, Harsh grew up, studied well, and got a good job in the city. He truly loved his parents and wanted to keep them happy.
Years passed. The parents became very old. Their bodies were weak, eyesight dim, hands shaking. Still, they remained satisfied, did samayik, pratikraman as much as they could, and remembered the names of Arihant and Siddha Bhagwan.
One winter, Devchand fell seriously ill. He had trouble breathing, could not walk properly, and was in great pain.
Harsh rushed from the city to the village. He took his father to the best hospital he could afford. He bought medicines, called good doctors, did everything possible.
But every day the doctor said the same thing:
> “We will try, but we cannot promise anything. Your father is very old. His body is tired.”
Harsh sat near his father’s bed, holding his hand, tears in his eyes.
> Harsh: “Bapu, all my life you suffered to make my life better. > Now when you are suffering, I cannot remove your pain. > What kind of son am I, if I cannot save you?”
Devchand smiled softly.
> Devchand: “Beta, don’t cry. This is karmaphal – the result of my own past karmas. > You can love me, serve me, and be by my side… > but you cannot suffer in my place. > No one can take another’s karma.”
> “You gave me food, medicine and love. That is your punya. > My pain is my old karma getting finished. > Be happy that it is ending now. > The body must suffer what is written in its karma, but the atma can stay peaceful.”
Harsh still felt helpless.
> Harsh: “But Bapu, I am your son. I should be able to do something.”
> Devchand: “You are doing the most important thing – > You are serving me with love, > speaking gently, > not getting angry, > and helping me remember Bhagwan’s name.
> Pain of the body will go one day. > But your seva, your love, and your gentle words will stay with your atma as punya.”
After some days, Devchand’s health worsened. The doctors finally said, “Now only pray. His time is near.”
That night, Harsh sat next to his father, chanting:
> “Namo Arihantanam, Namo Siddhanam…”
Devchand listened peacefully, joined his palms, and slowly left his body.
Harsh cried a lot. He felt he could not save his parents from suffering, even with all his money and love.
Later, a Jain sadhu visited their home for gochari. Harsh told him everything and said:
> “Maharaj Saheb, my parents suffered so much. > I tried everything, but I could not stop their pain. > I feel I failed them.”
The sadhu gently explained:
> “No, putra. You did what a good son must do.
> In Jain Dharma we learn: > - Everyone’s karmas are their own. > - Even Bhagwan does not “remove” anyone’s karma. > - He shows us the path to right faith, right knowledge and right conduct so we bind less karma and slowly become free.
> Your parents’ suffering was their old karma finishing. > Your seva, respect and love are your good karma.
> You cannot take away anyone’s karmaphal, > but you can help them face it with peace and prayer.”
He added:
> “When someone we love is suffering and we cannot stop it: > - Do not drown in guilt. > - Increase daya (compassion) and seva (service). > - Keep your mind gentle, speech soft, and actions pure. > - Help them remember Bhagwan and stay calm.
> This is the highest help a human can give another.”
Harsh slowly understood. He could not control the suffering of his parents, but he had controlled his behavior – with love, patience, and respect.
This realization gave him peace.
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Moral (in simple Jain terms)
- Every soul bears its own karma.
- Even the most loving son or daughter cannot take the pain of their parents on themselves. - We can support, serve and love – but we cannot erase their karmaphal.
- True help is:
- Caring for their body (food, medicine, comfort). - Caring for their mind (kind words, patience, no anger). - Caring for their soul (help them remember Bhagwan, keep good thoughts around them).
- Do not live in guilt.
- When we genuinely do our best with love and honesty, - we should accept that some suffering is due to old karmas, not our failure.
- Follow Dharma now.
- By right conduct, non-violence, truth, and self-control, - we reduce new bad karmas and slowly free ourselves and our loved ones from future suffering.
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If you want, I can also share a very short Jain story specifically from scriptures on karma and helplessness in front of karmaphal, in even simpler words.
