Shri Saibaba Sansthan,Shirdi                                                                         Shri Saileela Main Page

Arrival of Rama – Shabari honours Rama –

Rama blesses Shabari – Shabari attains the holy Realm

Taking up the route through the forest to the Pampa lake as shown by Kabandha, both the sons Rama and Lakshmana of Dasaratha (the foremost among men) proceeded towards the west. Gazing on the numerous trees collected in the form of a cluster on the mountain rocks and laden with flowers and fruits and dripping honey, the two princes, Sri Rama and Lakshmana, marched on their mission to see Sugriva. Staying for the night on a plateau, those two scions of Raghu, the delights of Raghu’s race, for their part approached the western edge of Pampa. Having reached the western brink of the lotus pond, Pampa, the two princes then sighted the lovely hermitage of Shabari on the aforesaid brink (of Pampa). 

Reaching that most delightful hermitage hemmed in with many trees, and looking all-round, the two princes met Shabari. Rising respectfully with joined palms on seeing the two princes, Shabari (who had attained perfection through Yoga or abstruction) for her part presently clasped the feet of Sri Rama and the prudent Lakshmana and offered (to her honoured guests) with due ceremony water to bathe  their feet and rinse their mouth with and every (other) form of hospitality, Sri Rama then spoke (as follows) to the aforesaid ascetic woman, who was intent upon virtue :– “Have all impediments (to the practice of your austerities) been thoroughly overcome by you ? Is your asceticism (steadily) growing ? Has anger been fully controlled by you as well as your diet, O lady with asceticism (alone) as your wealth ? Are (all) your religious vows completely observed and has satisfaction come to your mind ? Has your attendance on your preceptor borne fruit, O lady of pleasing speech ?”

Stationed before Sri Rama when interrogated (as above) by the latter, the aforesaid ascetic woman, the aged Shabari, who had not only attained perfection (through Yoga), but was esteemed by perfect souls, submitted (as follows) to Sri Rama :– “Today has the fruition of my austerities been attained by me through your blessed sight. Today my birth (as a human being) has borne fruit and my elders have been duly adored. My asceticism (too) has become fruitful today and (the highest) heaven too will definitely fall to my lot, now that you, the foremost of Gods, have been worshipped by me, O Rama, the flower of humanity. Hallowed by your gracious look, O gentle one, bestowing honour on other, I shall by your grace ascend to realms knowing no decay, O subduer of foes !

   When you reached Chitrakuta, the sages whom I served (viz., the pupils of Sage Matanga) ascended to heaven from this place in aerial cars of incomparable splendour.