Sheorinarayan
Group of Temples, Shivarinarayan – Legends
Shabari was
an elderly woman ascetic mentioned in the Hindu epic Ramayana. She was a tribal
woman and an ardent devotee of Lord Rama. She was a seeker of knowledge and
wanted to know the meaning of Dharma. She set out to find the truth. She met
Sage Matanga at the foot of Mount Rishyamukha after several days of travel. She
became a disciple of him and served him sincerely. When Sage Matanga was in death
bed, Shabari sought salvation from his Guru.
The
sage advised Shabari that she should stay at this place and wait for the
arrival of Lord Rama and Lakshmana who will visit the hermitage in near future.
She would attain salvation with their blessings. Shabari took up the responsibility
of the hermitage and started waiting for Rama and his brother. Every day,
Shabari would go out of her ashram, with the help of a walking stick, and
pluck berries for Lord Rama.
She
would pluck one, taste it and, if it was sweet, she would put it in her basket,
discarding the bitter ones. She wanted to give the good berries to
Rama. She didn't know that offerings must not be tasted. Thus, collecting
a few berries, Shabari would return to the ashram and eagerly await
Lord Rama's arrival. Lord Rama with his brother, Lakshmana, were searching for
Sita in Dandaka forest. They met Kabandh and sought his help.
He
advised them to go to Pampa Sarovar in west direction and they would find Matanga
Vana, where the hermitage of Sage Matanga is located. He further informed them
an elderly lady named Shabari was waiting for them in the hermitage. Rama and
Lakshmana reached the hermitage and found Shabari was waiting for them. Shabari
became ecstatic on seeing Lord Rama. Shabari offered the fruits which she had
meticulously collected from the forest.
When Lord
Rama was about to taste, Lakshmana raised the concern that Shabari had already
tasted them and therefore unworthy of eating. Lord Rama informed Lakshamana that
the fruits offered by her was tastiest of all which he had eaten till now. He
further said that offerings made with pure devotion is more important than the
sanctity of the offerings. Later Rama requested her to show her hermitage and
nearby forest which she accepted cordially.
She
took them to Sapta tirtha where water from seven oceans appeared when Sage
Matanga was weak enough to visit the oceans. Shabari also tells Rama to take
help from Sugriva and where to find him. Finally, Shabari requested
Lord Rama for salvation. As requested, Lord Rama granted her the moksha. Also,
Shabari requested Lord Rama to name the
place after her. Hence, the
place came to be called as Sheorinarayan.
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