Shabari's Sweet Berries

Near Lake Pampa, in the ashram of Rishi Matang, lived a simple, devoted woman named Shabari. She came from the Bhil community of the forest. For many years she had served the rishis of the ashram.

When the rishis were about to leave this world, they told Shabari, "Daughter, one day Bhagwan Ram himself will come to your ashram. Wait for him."

From that day on, Shabari waited for Ram every single day. Each morning she swept the path to the ashram, so that no thorn would prick Ram's feet. She spread flowers on the path and thought, "Maybe today my Ram will come." Days passed, then months, then years. Shabari's hair turned white, but her faith never grew weak.

Every day she brought sweet berries from the forest. People lovingly say that she tasted a little of each berry first. She kept the sour ones aside and put only the sweet ones in her basket, so that her Ram would not get even one sour berry.

Then, one day, Ram and Lakshman really did come to her ashram! Shabari's joy knew no bounds. She fell at Ram's feet. She was so full of love that no words came out. She respectfully washed Ram's feet and gave him a nice seat.

Then she held out her basket. Ram ate each berry with great love and said again and again, "How sweet these fruits are!" Ram knew that every berry was filled with Shabari's true love.

Shabari folded her hands and said, "Prabhu, I am a very ordinary person. How can I praise you?" Ram said lovingly, "Mother, the only bond I count is the bond of devotion. Not high birth, not wealth, not power. A heart full of true love is what I love most."

Then Ram told Shabari about nine beautiful paths of devotion, called Navadha Bhakti. Shabari told him to go near Lake Pampa and make friends with Sugriv, to help find Sita. Having seen her Ram at last, Shabari felt her life was complete, and she went to the highest heavenly home.