Shabari is well known figure from the great epic Ramayana for her utmost devotion and faith towards Shri Ram.
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Welcome to the oasis of engrossed readings at www.onindianpath.com. Let’s read about the saintly woman of Ramayana who offered tested berries to lord Rama. She was the one who waited for years for Lord Rama and helped him in his search for Mata Sita.
Introduction
As we all know how vibrancy and richness of the Ramayana has touched our life so deeply. Nonetheless, it tells us various stories of gods, kings and brave warriors in each chapter. Yet, one humble tale shines through for me—a story that speaks of true devotion and unwavering faith. It’s the story of Shabari. An elderly woman whose pure love for Lord Rama rose above her simple background and humble status. Besides, her life reminds me that true devotion is not about rituals or status; it’s about the sincerity that lives in our hearts.
Shabari’s love shows us that when our faith is pure, we are already close to the divine.
Who is Shabari?
However, Shabari is a revered figure in the Ramayana, known for her unwavering devotion to Lord Rama. She was a tribal woman, once considered lowly by society. Her parents were Indumati and Ajaa.Yet, her heart was pure and filled with love for God.
Shabari and Sage Matang
Shabari’s devotion began when she met the great sage Matang. Under his guidance, she learned to focus on Lord Rama. She lived a life of simplicity, dedicating herself completely to prayer and service to the Lord.
When Maharishi Matang was about to depart for Devlok after entrusting the ashram to Shabari, she pleaded to go with him. Besides, Shabari, only ten years old at the time, held Maharishi Matang’s hand and began to cry.
Her devotion and faith upon God
Although, the sight of Shabari in tears made Maharishi restless. Gently, he explained, “Daughter, God will come to this ashram; wait here!” Innocent Shabari believed that her Guru’s words would come true. Consequently she asked eagerly, “When will he come?”Maharishi Matang, a Brahmarishi who could perceive the past, present, and future, knelt before Shabari and bowed to her.
Certainly, all the surrounding sages were astounded; they could not understand why the Guru was bowing to his disciple. The brilliance of Maharishi left everyone speechless.
On this, Maharishi Matang continued, “Daughter, he(Lord Rama) has not yet been born! King Dashrath has not even married yet. He will first marry Kaushalya, and then you will wait. Later, Dashrath will marry Sumitra, and you will wait again. Then he will marry Kaikeyi, and you will still wait. Only then will he (Shree Ram) be born.
Then after, he will marry mata Sita. Afterwards, both of them along with Lakshman live in the forest for fourteen years. And in the final year, Sita will be abducted.
That is when he will come here searching for her! Tell him, ‘Make friends with Sugreev, free him from the tyranny of Bali. Your wish will be fulfilled, and you will surely conquer Ravana!'”
Furthermore, Shabari was innocent, could not grasp such a long timeline. Confused, she asked, “Gurudev, how will I endure this long wait?”Maharishi Matang replied, “He is God; he will certainly come. This is destined in the future. But if he wishes, he can set aside this course of time and come at any moment. Beyond birth and death, he emerged from a pillar for Prahlad’s sake. So, wait with faith! He can come anytime.”
Obeying her Guru’s command, Shabari remained in the ashram, waiting for Lord Rama every single day. Every single day she used to decorate entrance of her hut with freshly plucked flowers.
Shabari’s love and faith for Lord Rama grew so strong that she waited for years, hoping to see him.
Divine encounter of Shri Ram and Shabari
Indeed, sage Matang words motivated her to wait for Shree Ram for longest period of her lifetime. Shabari’s pure heart, promised her that one day, Lord Rama himself would come to bless her. Shabari believed his words and, every day, prepared for Lord Rama’s arrival, despite the passing years. She collected berries from the forest, ensuring they were sweet and fresh, tasting each one before setting them aside for him.
Finally, one day, Shabari’s years of waiting bore fruit. Lord Rama arrived at her humble dwelling during his search for Mata Sita. Despite her simplicity, Shabari welcomed him with the deepest reverence. Infact, she offered him the berries she had lovingly prepared, tasting each one to ensure they were sweet.
Berries of faith and true devotion
In a deeply touching gesture, Lord Rama accepted her offerings, eating the berries with love and appreciation. This act demonstrated his divine compassion and his ability to see the purity of Shabari’s heart above all else.
Shabari’s faith and devotion are celebrated as an example of the power of love and surrender to God.
Shabari in her past life
Apparently, in her past life, Shabari was a princess. She had all the luxury of being a princess but her strong dispassion attracted her towards leading a spiritual life rather than seeking the materialistic and worldly pleasure of a queen’s life. Contrarily, Shabri hated the worldly comforts of the castle. Being the royal person, she had to remain behind her veil and could not move out of the castle. Yet, she was deprived of serving the saints and attending their spiritual discourses, which she had a great desire for.
Shabari once visited the Kumbh fair outside a sage’s ashram, where she glimpsed great saints and longed to serve them. Moreover, her status as a queen bound her, filling her with deep distress and a yearning for a rebirth that would bring her closer to the saints.
Instead of committing a sinful act of suicide, she meditated in the sacred waters of the holy river, Ganga, leaving her body peacefully.
In her next life, she was born into a hunter’s family. Shabari was compassionate from childhood, but as she approached marriageable age, she learned that 300 goats would be sacrificed for her wedding. Unable to bear this, she ran away that very night.
Date and tithi of Shabari Jayanti 2025
Shabri Jayanti is celebrated to mark the devotion and faith of Shabri. Certainly, Shabari Jayanti falls in the month of Phalguna on Krishna Paksha Saptami of Hindu Panchang.
In 2025, it will be marked on February 20, 2025. Also, the saptami tithi will begin at 7:32 AM on February 19, 2025. Eventually, Saptami tithi will end at 9 :58 AM on February 20, 2025.
Lessons to learn from Shabari
- Firstly, Shabari’s story teaches us about the power of unwavering faith and patience in devotion.
- Moreover, she waited years not for personal gain but simply to serve and love her Lord.
- Also, her story emphasizes that true faith does not require wealth or grandeur; instead, it is rooted in selfless love and simplicity.
- Additionally, by tasting the berries before offering them, Shabari demonstrated that bhakti (devotion) takes precedence over ritual.
- In her devotion, she forgot societal norms and offered only what she believed was worthy.
- Finally, lord Rama’s acceptance of her offering reminds us that God values the purity of the heart over the formalities of worship.
Conclusion
Today, Shabari’s story continues to inspire devotees worldwide. She is remembered not for her social status or wealth but for her untainted love and devotion. Indeed, her life shows that devotion is not bound by social norms or rituals but is instead about surrendering oneself completely to the divine.
In essence, Shabari’s tale reminds us to seek the divine within our hearts, to serve with love, and to remain patient. Her faith-filled life continues to be a beacon of light, guiding us on the path of devotion.
Through her, we learn that it is not the grandeur of our offerings but the sincerity in our hearts that truly connects us to the divine. May we all find inspiration in Shabari’s devotion and walk our paths with simplicity, love, and an unwavering faith in the divine.
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