Rama and Laxman saw the injured Jatayu while searching for Sita. He told Rama that Ravana had kidnapped Sita and had gone towards the south. He died after saying this. Rama performed the rituals of his funeral and headed south. They reached Shabri’s cottage. Shabri was a tribal woman. Sage Matang had once told her that Rama would visit her one day. Many years passed by and Shabri grew old. Each day, she cleaned her cottage and waited patiently for Rama to visit her. Finally, Rama and Laxman had arrived at her cottage. Shabri was overjoyed. She washed their feet lovingly. She had collected berries for Rama. She tasted every berry and kept aside the sweetest of them for her Lord. Laxman was shocked to see Shabri offering fruits that she herself had tasted before offering to Rama. But Rama explained to Laxman that tasting the berries before giving them to him to eat showed Shabri’s love and devotion. Rama was happy to accept the sincere offerings, and blessed the old lady for her piety. Shabri felt that her greatest desire had been fulfilled by meeting her Lord. Asking Rama to grant her salvation, she entered the fire.
RAMA IN SHABRI’S ASHRAM
