My son who made the supreme sacrifice

My dearest son Niroshan Srideva, a final year Medical Student of Sri Jayawardanepura Medical Faculty was murdered quite unexpectedly on July 6, 2001, in front of my eyes at our residence in Colpetty.

It is my destiny to live on with this sorrow.

Just after Niroshan’s perishable body was cremated there was a shower of rain that fell in that area (after a long spell of drought in July) for a few minutes as if the Gods above were shedding tears of sorrow and blessings. He was an ardent devotee of Swami Sri Sathya Sai Baba.

Niroshan had a charming smile, eyes that twinkled and lasting sweetness in his words. As far as I am aware no one ever noticed any slightest trace of anger, dislike, despair or hate on his face. He was the embodiment of innocence, humility, large heartedness, fraternal attachment, steadfastness of faith and courage.

Niroshan shone at the Medical Faculty. Even though I really miss my son I have some consolation to note that his comrades, associates and friends, who knew him very well, take great delight in recounting his goodness and his sterling virtues.

Niroshan sacrificed his life for the sake of saving his father. Maybe he would have thought at that moment---” Is there any act of gratitude nobler than dedicating this body which was received from my father to save his life alone”and thus he offered it with spiritual bliss. By this act of sacrifice he proved to the world that “service of father is the son’s eternal duty”.

Niroshan, I do not know what merit in my previous life secured you as my son. But now your loss has given me longlasting pain and agony. I try with difficulty to follow Swami’ s words to ‘treat joy and grief with equanimity’.