Shabari

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Shabari

Source:http://www.ramakrishnamath.com

 

Shabari was born to a Kshatriya father and hunter mother. Since she

belonged to the Shabara tribe she was named Shabari. When her

marriage was fixed, her parents collected thousands of animals for

the feast. But Shabari did not like the killing of innocent animals.

So, she decided to remain unmarried and spend her life thinking of

the Lord. She left her parents and went away.

 

Sage Matanga gave shelter to her in the Ashram. The sage took great

care of her than even her parents did. He taught her the basics of

spiritual life. He gave her advice and helped her develop a

spiritual outlook that would sustain her for the rest of her life.

 

The local brahmins did not approve of Matanga giving spiritual

guidance to a low caste woman. All the brahmins boycotted Sage

Matanga.

 

One day, Shabari was going to the river for a bath. A brahmin was

coming in the opposite direction after bath when by chance, her

wearing cloth touched him. The brahmin became furious. He rebuked

her severely.

 

The brahmin went again to the river to take bath. As soon as he got

down the waters the water turned red in colour and worms began to

crawl in it. This was due to the insults he had earlier hurled at

Shabari.

 

After many years Sri Rama during his exile came to the forest known

as Dandakaaranya and visited Shabari's hut first. He partook with

the greatest relish the fruits offered by her in ecstatic devotion.

All the sages of the forest came to meet Sri Rama. They sked: " Rama!

There is a river nearby. Once pure water use to flow in it. But now

the water is reddish and unusable. Can you please enlighten us as to

why this happened? "

 

Sri Lakshmana explained, " The brahmins here boycotted Matanga Rishi

and insulted Shabari. Consequently the water turned impure " .

 

They asked further, " Is there any way to purify this water? "

Lakshmana replied, " Of course. If the innocent and pure- hearted

Shabari bathes in this river, it will regain its original purity "

 

Accordingly as soon as Shabari touched the waters it became crystal

clear. The brahmins realised their fault and begged forgiveness of

Shabari. They understood that the Lord looks at the internal purity

and does not discriminate on the basis of races.

GOMU <gokulmuthu