Shabari’s Moksha(Salvation)
The path shown by Kahbanda was followed by Rama Lakshmana in the westerly direction and were witnessing those sweet Fruit bearing trees. That night they halted in that Forest and next day they went to the Shabari’s Asrama in the west coast. The Old Lady Shabari seeing Rama Lakshmana coming stood up, received them by doing Pradhakshinam (going around in clockwise direction) of them,did Namaskaram (Prostrate) before them did Argyam, Padhyam etc extended civilities as per customs prelevant then. Rama addressed the Great Thapasivini (Mendicant who does severe penance) “Amma(Mother)! Is your Thapas growing without any obstacles? Could you master over Anger? Are you following Diet restrictions? Are you performing Vrat (Fasting, observance of Discipline continuously) as per ordained principles? Is your Manam{ Chitha(Memory)+Inner Conscience Mind +Intellect(Bhuddhi) +Ego} filled with Peace and Tranquility? Has the Service to your Guru fructified? “ thus Rama enquired Shabari’s welfare.
Hearing these Shabahari got up with folded hands and humility said “ Lord! By your august Divine audience my Thapas has fructified and culminated. All my Penance and service to my Guru have fructified only today. After seeing you, who is the Lord of all Devas(Celestials) is there any doubt that I will reach God’s feet? Without assigning any reason the Merciful flow of your grace has wiped out all my sins and I am released from them. Hey destroyer of all obstacles that befalls Devotees! Because of my Prarabtha Karma which will entail me of future Sins; from them also I am released. Focussing on My mercy of my Teacher with your benign Grace I will reach Eternal Vaikuntam (Maha Vishnu’s abode). “Why did you not accompany your teacher?” if you ask; when you were in Chithra koot my teachers went in Divine Aricrafts to the God’s Feet. My Teachers were aware of all 3 times (Past/Present/Future) they were great Souls they knew that I did not have authority to reach God’s feet with Yoga and other methods. Knowing with Teachers’ mercy;which will bestow me Your(God’s Grace) he told me “Rama will come to this Holy Hermittage. You should with utmost devotion extend civilities to him and Lakshmana . By mere sighting or Your Benign Grace will shower the Eternal Salvation of the Noblest World” thus he blessed me. Since your entering this forest and coming to Chitrakoot I have accumulated various types of Food Articles for your consumption. I have very carefully selected, verified and chosen the sweetest of them. I pray you should accept these” thus Shabhari solicited.
Even though She was born in a lower cast with Teacher’s Grace she had become Brahma Gyani (Sage who knew God & the Entire universe)that Shabari was very close to Dear God Rama. Hence Rama addressed her “ Amma(Mother) ! Dhanu had specifically explained the greatness of your Teachers who are Divine Souls. If you have the inclination I have the desire to see them.
Hearing this Shabhari became more ecstatic showed to Rama Lakshmana the specialities of that Forest “ See this huge Forest of Sage Mathanga which is full of Animals and Birds like the clouds ; in this place my Teachers who have Great Gyanam (Wisdom of Knowing the difference Atma(eternal) and the body(perishes)- Atma(Life force ) is the reflection of Paramthma(God) like water in Ocean, river, pond, tank, vessel and cup Is same .Atma takes the birth in different bodies as per karma/good or bad actions ) with their Powers of Chanting Mantras got Ganges and other Holy Waters here, please look at them. See the west facing places of worship for Vishnu( Lord Rama is none other than Vishnu). My Teachers due to their fasting and due to their old age with shaking hands showered Flower Petals and did Archana. Due to their magnificence all these Places of worships are Dazzling with illuminence and Aura in all directions even now. Due to fasts and Upavasam they did not have energy even to walk properly, with mere thought they got all 7 Oceans here they took bath here. The Maravuri(Dresses made of wooden Barks/Leaves) which have been laid on these Trees to Dry; due to their Spiritual greatness have retained their original texture even now without drying up. The Garlands offered by them with utmost reverential Devotion have not dried or withered even today. I have to my limited knowledge shown and told you the Ashchariyam –Awesome ,Unbelievable facts about this Ashrama. Now with your permission or order I want to leave this body. So far I have been serving those Great Souls and now I would like to reach them and go serve them in future as well” Prayed Shabahri.
Thus Rama Lakshmana were immensely pleased with the sincere Love and devotion she had for her Teachers and “ Today we had the Good fortune of seeing this Arbuth( Innate Miracles, heart warming , Soul-mind pleasing, peace showering Surprises/happenings)” said to themselves. Then “ Amma ! I am pleased and overwhlemed with the Food articles you have accumulated over a period of time. Seeing the Devotion you have unto your Guru and the service you rendered to them, made me feel as though I have been worshipped with all Upachaaram –Extend Courtsies-Civilities-vidhipadi –Portocol offered him Roots/Fruits and did civilites of Prayers accorded those days and all forms of Worship. You will attain those Worlds you desire”.
Immediately Shabhari ignited Fire she put the divested digested human body and with a Divine Body of Magnificence and Aura of Light she started. She was adorned with Divine Oranaments, Garlands, Sandal wood pastes, Divine Dressess Like a Thunderbolt Lightning illuminating all around she reached her Teachers world which is eternal ie God’s Feet with Her Atma Yoga of Devotion Faith, Service. (Slokas 35)
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