Shabari's Divine Berries

Way back in the Tretayuga, a girl is born to parents who are hunters. For the clan, the day starts with hunting and killing animals. A meal without meat is unimaginable in the tribal hamlet where the young girl lives. But she is different and more inclined towards spiritual pursuits. An embodiment of Ahimsa, she seems out of place in an environment replete with killings and sacrifices.

Her name is Shabari.

Shabari’s parents are keen on getting her married, which would have resulted in many animals being sacrificed for the feast.The impending slaughter is the last straw off the camel’s back & Shabari decides to flee the village. Wandering in the forest, she finally reaches the abode of Sage Mathanga. One look at her and the sage knows that she is an enlightened soul. Shabari is welcomed as an inmate and is given the task of cleaning the precincts of the ashram, along with the general upkeep of the hermitage.

Years roll by and it is time for Rishi Mathanga to leave his physical body.Before leaving, he tells Shabari that she can follow suit only after meeting Lord Rama.

Searching for Sita, Rama and Lakshmana approach the ashram and are welcomed by Shabari. The wait is finally over. Bent with age and the youth behind her, Shabari falls at Rama’s feet.Tears of joy roll down her cheeks as she offers Rama berries tasted by her.

“These are the sweetest berries I have ever eaten”, says Rama and blesses her.

This anecdote from the Ramayana puts to rest, all those theories of discrimination and throws the caste equations out of the window. Devotion or Bhakti rises above all, irrespective of the background or the order to which one belongs.

Shabari’s devotion towards Rama places her in a different league altogether and her devotion is what makes the berries sweeter than ever.

Rama bids goodbye and proceeds towards the Rishyamukh mountains. Soon after, Shabari leaves her human body and joins her Guru, Sage Mathanga in the astral world.

Photo credit - Bhakti Marga

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