Shabari’s Early Life
There was a young woman named Shabari, the daughter of a hunter. She wasn’t considered beautiful by societal standards, but her heart was pure gold. On the day before her wedding, she saw thousands of goats and sheep that her father had brought for sacrifice, as it was customary among hunters at that time.
Unable to bear the thought of these animals being killed, Shabari ran away into the forest early in the morning to avoid the slaughter.
Seeking True Wisdom
Shabari went to many teachers, asking them to take her as their disciple and teach her ‘true wisdom’ (Brahma Jnana). All the teachers rejected her because she was of a low caste and deemed unworthy to learn Brahma Jnana.
Sage Matanga’s Acceptance
Sage Matanga welcomed her and took her as his disciple. Other rishis and yogis condemned him for accepting an outcaste as a disciple. They criticized him, calling him fallen and impure. Sage Matanga told Shabari, “Oh my daughter, stay in my ashram, clean the place, take care of the chores, and serve. It will do good to you.”
“But other rishis in the forest are not happy about you taking me as your disciple,” Shabari said.
“You have come to me seeking the greatest; I’ll give you shelter,” Sage Matanga replied firmly.
Life in the Ashram
Shabari lived peacefully in the ashram, performing her daily duties, taking cows to the pastures, and so on. Despite the other rishis’ ignorance and rejection of Sage Matanga, calling him impure, Shabari continued her service.
Sage Matanga’s Departure
One day, when Sage Matanga was very old, he called his disciple Shabari and said, “My daughter, I’m leaving this body. Is there anything you want me to do for you?”
Shabari prayed, “Lord, take me with you to the highest abode you are going. I cannot live without you.”
Sage Matanga replied, “Dear, one day Lord Rama will come to see you. Until then, stay alive. After that, you can come to me.”
Anticipation of Lord Rama
Shabari stayed alive in anticipation of Lord Rama. She would wake up early every morning, go to the forest to collect berries to serve Lord Rama, not knowing when He would come. She spent many years in this manner.
The Incident at Pampasar Lake
Near her Guru’s ashram was a beautiful and grand lake called Pampasar. One day, Shabari, now very old, went to the lake with her mud pot to collect water. An old rishi with a long beard and matted hair was sitting there, chanting mantras incorrectly. He saw Shabari filling the divine water of the lake and thought, “This low-caste woman is making the water impure for our use.” He threw a stone at her in anger, which hit her leg, causing it to bleed. A drop of her blood fell into the lake, turning all the water into blood.
The rishi started shouting, “Look, a drop of this outcaste’s blood has turned the whole lake into blood. What should we do now?”
Purification of the Lake
The rishis had no water to drink or use for sacred rites. They chanted purification mantras, performed yagnas and havanas, and used holy powders, but nothing helped. The water remained blood. They brought water from the Ganga and Yamuna, but it was of no use. Someone suggested that Lord Rama, who was wandering in the forest, could help. They went to Rama and requested His help.
Rama came to Pampasar Lake, and the rishis asked Him to purify the lake by His touch. Rama walked into the lake, but the blood remained blood. He took a dip in it and even cleaned His mouth with the blood and spit it back, but nothing changed.
Rama asked the rishis, “Tell me how it became blood.”
One of the rishis explained, “There was a sage living here who had an outcaste disciple, Shabari. He has died, but she still lives. She came to fetch water from this lake, and a rishi threw a stone at her, injuring her. A drop of her blood fell into the lake, turning all the water into blood.”
Shabari’s Purity
Hearing Shabari’s name, Rama placed His hands on His heart and said, “Oh rishis, that was not Shabari’s blood. That was the blood from My heart. I cannot clean this.”
The rishis lamented, “Lord, our lives have become difficult without this water.”
“I have come to see her. Bring her to me,” Rama said.
One of the rishis went to Shabari and informed her that Lord Rama was requesting her presence. Hearing Lord Rama’s name, Shabari came running. As she ran, the soil from her feet fell into the water, turning the blood back into water. Everyone was astonished.
Rama said, “Did you see? Dust from Shabari’s feet has purified the lake. I bathed in it and cleaned my mouth, but nothing changed. Dust from the feet of a pure devotee purified the lake.”
Shabari’s Devotion
Shabari prayed to Lord Rama, “Now, please come to my hut, Lord. I have decorated it with flowers for You, and I have brought sweet berries for You. Please come, my Lord.”
Rama and Lakshman followed her to her hermitage. She brought them sweet berries in a bowl made of leaves. Rama was pleased with her hard work.
“Lord, I have selected only the sweet berries for You. I tasted every berry to make sure they are the sweetest. Please take it, my Lord,” Shabari said.
When Rama was about to eat a berry, Lakshman objected, “Brother, these are half-eaten. They are not good to eat.”
Rama ate a berry and said, “Brother, these berries are so sweet. I have never tasted berries as sweet as Shabari’s. Whosoever offers a fruit, a leaf, a flower, or water with love, I take it with great joy.”
Rama’s Blessing
Rama, touched by her love, blessed Shabari and asked her to wish for anything she desired. Shabari prayed only for pure devotion to Lord Rama. Rama blessed her, and after this darshan, Shabari’s life ended, and she achieved the spiritual world and the eternal abode of Sri Rama.
Moral of the Story
- Equality in Devotion No matter one’s origin or background, anyone can achieve great spiritual advancement through sincere devotion.
- Respect for Devotees We should be careful in our dealings with everyone, especially devotees of Krishna. Offending devotees can bring many problems, while pleasing them can bring many blessings.
- Pure Intentions It is not what we offer to the Lord but the devotion with which we offer it that matters..
Prayer
“O Lord Rama, please grant us the purity of heart and devotion exemplified by Shabari. Help us to serve You and Your devotees with love and sincerity. May we always remember that pure devotion is the highest offering we can make to You.”
Chant
Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare
Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare
