Story of Shabri: Story of Love and Devotion to Bhagwan

Story

Krish was a young boy in class five. He was a devotee of Bhagwan Rama. Every Morning and evening, he would chant Shri Rama’s name. Also, he would often visit Bhagwan Rama’s temple to offer Prasad and flowers to the Bhagwan. One day he did not do his evening prayer and was very upset.

His father asked him, “Krish, why are you so upset? You did not even do your evening prayer.”

Krish replied, “Bhagwan Rama was supposed to help me. I worship him daily in the morning and evening. I also offer him Prasad in the temple. But he did not help me with my Hindi exam. I will not pray to him from now. Why should I worship Bhagwan Rama?”

Father said, “Let me tell you the story of Shabri. Then you will understand, what is true devotion, what is having faith in Bhagwan and what are sincere efforts.”

Shabri is one of the most respected characters in the epic Ramayana. She was a great devotee of Bhagwan Ram. Shabri belonged to a humble family and her life was filled with hardships. She was devoted to spirituality and wanted to know more about it. For this reason, she came to the ashram of Sage Matanga and became her disciple. She dedicated herself to serving the ashram and lived a life of devotion.

Before Sage Matanga passed away, he blessed Shabri and told her that one day Bhagwan Ram would visit her. He said that when Shri Ram visits her, all her wishes will be fulfilled. Trusting his words, Shabari eagerly waited for many years for the arrival of Shri Ram.

Every day, she would clean the ashram and pluck berries from the forest for Bhagwan Ram. She would taste each berry, keeping the sweetest ones for the Bhagwan and the bitter and sour ones aside. Although she didn’t know when Prabhu Shri Rama would come, yet she did all the activities daily as if he would visit that day.

Finally, after a long wait of many years, Prabhu Shri Ram and his brother Lakshman visited Shabri. They were searching for Devi Sita (Ramaji’s wife), who had been forcefully taken away by Ravan, the demon king of Lanka.

When Shabari saw Bhagwan Ram, she fell at his feet, worshipping him with tears in her eyes. She offered him the berries she had plucked as a symbol of her immense devotion towards Bhagwan Ram. Despite the custom that food should not be tasted before being offered to Bhagwan, Shri Ram whole-heartedly accepted the half-eaten berries with love, recognizing Shabri’s devotion. He also blessed her with the wishes to come true.

Prabhu Shri Ram’s acceptance of the berries is an example that shows that pure devotion matters more than rituals or social customs. Shabari, though belonging to a humble background, was blessed to serve Bhagwan Ram because of her strong faith. Her sincere efforts over many years pleased Bhagwan Ram.

Father after finishing the story asked, “Krish, what did you understand from this story?”

Krish said, “Father, I have understood, that our devotion and efforts should be sincere, selfless and unconditional. Bhagwan tests our faith, is it strong or weak? I will worship Bhagwan Ram with complete faith and sincerity from today expecting any reward from him.”

Krish was now happy and his love and devotion for Bhagwan Ram increased even more. He did his evening prayers with full sincerity, faith, and devotion.