Sheorinarayan Group of Temples, Shivarinarayan – Legends

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.