Devtas

Shabari

Other names- Sabari, Shabri, Sabri

Shabari was a disciple of Matanga Rishi. She was quite aged and belonged to a race of Vanavasis (forest dwellers) called Bhils. Although she was unlettered and uneducated, she had an immense amount of faith and devotion and firm belief in her Guru. She spent her life in Sage Matanga’s ashram serving him and tending to chores like cleaning the place, watering the garden, collecting the wild fruits, berries and tubers that were the staple diet of an ascetic. Sage Matanga was very pleased with her diligence and devotion.

When Rishi Matanga became old and realized that his time on earth was nearing an end, he asked Shabari to look after the ashram after he was gone. His words saddened Shabari. She said, “I cannot imagine staying in this deserted forest without your presence which gives me security and comfort. Who will be my support here ? "

Sage Matanga said, “Shabari, to relieve the earth of its problems, soon in the house of King Dashratha, Shri Rama will be born, as an incarnation of Vishnu. I will not be fortunate enough to behold him. But he will certainly come to this ashram and you will have the good fortune of his darshan (sighting). Wait here till Shri Rama arrives.” With these words Sage Matanga achieved paramapad (ultimate bliss) and left his earthly body.

Shabari, the true devotee, now dedicated her life to her guru’s words of advice, and spent her days waiting for Shri Rama’s arrival. Every day, she swept and cleaned the ashram, filled fresh water and gathered fruits and tubers for Shri Rama. She waited and waited for years on end. She became old and infirm, but the hope in her heart that Shri Rama would arrive, remained ever fresh.

At last, in search of Sita, Rama and Lakshman , arrived at Sage Matanga’s ashram after killing the demon Kabandha. Shabari welcomed them and washed their feet reverentially with tears that flowed from her eyes. Shri Rama asked here to fetch some fruit. Shabari offered him berries and fruits but before giving them to Shri Rama, she tasted each one of the berries. She forgot that she was feeding Shri Rama with berries that were bitten and therefore unfit and impure for offering to another. And swayed by her devotion, Shri Rama ate the berries with joy. It was a moment when the devotee and divine were joined in harmony.

Shabari suggested that they seek out to Sugreeva, the king of Vanaras (monkeys) and said that he would be able to help them in their quest for Sita. That is what my omniscient guru had said, she quoted. He had also told me the reason for your incarnation on earth.

Shri Rama was pleased with the devotion and care of the simple hearted Shabari. With the blessings of Shri Rama Shabari quit her earthly body and left for her heavenly abode. As told by Shabari, Shri Rama then continued on his way, to meet Sugreeva on the Rishyamukh Mountain, along with Lakshman . (Refer to the map for the place where Shabari met with Shri Ram). The tale of Shabari will never die because it is a benchmark for devotion and love towards God.