This is the story of a hunter woman named Shabari who lived during the Treta Yoga, the epoch of happening of Ramayana. She is used as a metaphor for true devotion and faith. In Ramayana Shabari finds a respectable mention as a ardent devotee a knowledgeable sage.
Shabari was born in a low caste forest tribal called Nishadha. The tribals lived by hunting and killing of animals. Shabari was opposed to killing of animals since her childhood.
When Sabari grew up, her father decided to marry her. One day before her marriage, she was embellished and adored beautifully. While she sat in the mud hut, people outside sang, danced and rejoiced ceremonially.
The loud drumbeats, hoots filled the air around. Men drank and danced. As she glanced outside the window, Shabari saw her father and relatives fetching herd of sheep, goats and other animals. The animals were brought for serving the marriage attendees.
Shabari was deeply moved imagining the fate of animals. She wept over the merciless killing of animals by her tribals for their merry and joy. She decided to renounce her family and community, instead of marrying a tribal and continue living in a community where animal sacrifice was a daily ritual. That night Shabari fled away renouncing her family life forever.
She wandered the forests for months and sustained on forest fruits. One day, she arrived near the banks of River Padma, where she saw some young boys carrying water in earthen pots. Shabari saw them walking towards an ashram. She followed them.
It was the ashram (abode) of Sage Matanga at the foot of Mount Rishyamukha in Dharankarya forest. Shabari went to Sage Matanga and asked if she could serve him and his disciples. The sage accepted her and gave her a hut to live.
Shabri served the sage and his disciples. She engaged in routine work such as cleaning the abode, collecting firewood, forest fruits, fetching water; etc. Away from her family, Shabari served the ashram selflessly. She found peace and dedication living in the ashram.
Years passed by. Shabari continued serving the ashram and received knowledge (brahmajna) from Sage Matanga.
One day sage Matanga from his celestial power of vision the sage came to know that he was nearing his end. So he called all his disciples and blessed them with they asked for. When Shabari was asked her wish she said, 'O pious preacher! I have no worldly desires and found peace serving you. I wish to reach the same acme of peace as you have. Enlighten me!'
The sage was very happy to hear Shabari's words of dedication and devotion. He said, 'Shabari remember one name - Rama. He is the incarnation of supreme deity Lord Vishnu, who has descended the world to ward off evil. Chant his name. You shall meet him, when he himself will come to this ashram one day soon and bless you. You devotion towards Rama shall lead you to peace and salvation'.
Soon sage Matanga attained Mahasamadhi sitting in the lotus posture.
Years passed by and Shabari followed her guru's advise. She chanted Rama's name with utmost devotion, while she continued serving the ashram. She awaits for Rama's arrival and cleaned her hut everyday to welcome him. She fetched fruits everyday from the forest everyday and kept them for serving Rama. At the end of the day, she gave away those fruits to ashram boys (disciples).
Years passed day as Shabari waited for the arrival of the holy Rama. She had started becoming old. Her skin wrinkled and her back was stooped. Her eyes were shrunk in hollows but had a brilliance of hope and faith - the faith that Rama shall come to see her one day and bless her.
One afternoon, Shabari returned to her hut after collecting fruits from the forest. She washed and cleaned the fruits in a bowl crafted from leaves. Just then, she heard a voice, 'O generous mortal! We have come to your door, serve us !'
The old woman, Shabari went to door and saw two divine men standing. They both bowed before the old woman and said, 'O pious mother! We are two brothers - Rama and Laksman. We have been wandering the forests in search of my wife Sita. Could you help us know the way and give us some water?'
Shabari stood wordless. Tears rolled down her eyes. She was filled with devotion for divine Rama. She bowed before them with her joined hands and asked them to come inside.
Sharbari washed their feet and laid flowers on them. She seated them on prayer mats and served them with sweet ber** (Indian berry - Ziziphus mauritiana) fruits. To ensure that the fruit was sweet and ripe before it went to Rama, Shabari tasted them herself. She sided the pieces which were either tasteless or unripe and offered only the ripe fruit to Rama.
Both Rama and Laksman saw Shabari tasting the fruits before she offered it to them. Rama blissfully accepted the eaten berries, while his brother Laksman refused them. He told Rama, 'O respected brother Rama, these berries are not pure. The old woman is tasting them and giving it to us. Do not eat these berries'.
But Rama knew the thinking and devotion Shabari had for him. He blissfully accepted the fruits and enlightened Shabari about nine folded path of devotion.
In the later part of their conversation, Shabari inquires Rama about Sita and her abduct. Rama related how they came to know about Sita's abduction from Jatayu. He spoke about Jayatu's sacrifice as he bravely fought again Ravana. Shabari reflects on the facts, and directs Rama to go further south towards River Pampa where the Kingdom of Kishkindha was ruled by the Monkey (Vanar) King Sugriv (Sugreev) and his chief Hanuman. They were Sugriv and Hanuman who spearheaded the war against King of Lanka - Ravana with their mighty force of humanoid monkeys.
Before Rama left Shabari's ashram, she bowed down on the divine feet of Rama and his brother. Shabari was blessed her attainment of salvation and surrender herself to God. Ram told Shabari that her devotion was iconic and that he would be remembered in ages to come for her commitment, piety, forbearance and devotion.
**Ziziphus mauritiana, also known as Ber, Chinee Apple,
Jujube, Indian plum and Masau is a tropical fruit tree species belonging to the
family Rhamnaceae.
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