The Story of Shabari — The Devotee Who Tasted Heaven Before the Lord Did

Long ago, in a quiet village, there lived a young woman named Shabari, the daughter of a hunter. She wasn’t born into privilege or beauty, but her heart shone with a rare, divine purity.

On the morning of her wedding, she saw thousands of goats and sheep tied up — ready to be sacrificed as part of the ritual. Her tender heart trembled. “How can I celebrate while these innocent lives are lost?” she thought.
Before dawn broke, she fled to avoid the wedding and save those goats, sheep from getting scarified. 

She wandered from one sage to another, begging to be taught the secret of true wisdom — Brahma Jnana. But each teacher turned her away. “You are of low birth,” they said. “You are unfit.”
Only Sage Matanga, a true seer, looked beyond her appearance and saw the gold in her soul. He welcomed her with compassion into his ashram. The other sages mocked him — “He has accepted an outcaste!”
But Sage Matanga smiled and said, “She has come seeking the Highest. How can I refuse her?”

Under his care, Shabari bloomed — humble, silent, devoted. She swept the ashram, tended the cows, fetched water, and served every visitor with folded hands. Her only joy was seva — service born of love.

Years passed. When Sage Matanga grew old, he called her close. “My child,” he said softly, “I will soon leave this body. Is there anything you wish?”
Tears filled her eyes. Shabari pleaded, “Gurudev, take me with you. I cannot live without you.”
But the sage smiled. “Not yet. The Lord Himself — Sri Rama — will come here one day. Wait for Him. After His darshan, you will reach me again - until then stay alive,”

So Shabari waited.
Every morning, she would gather fresh berries, clean her hut, and decorate it with flowers — whispering, “Maybe today my Lord will come.”

Days turned into months, months into years. Her hair turned grey, her back bent, but her hope never faded.

One day, a rishi at the nearby Pampa Sarovar saw her drawing water. Disgusted by her caste, he hurled a stone at her. It struck her leg, and a drop of blood fell into the lake — turning the entire lake red like blood!
The horrified sages tried every mantra, every ritual, but nothing could cleanse it. They even brought water from Ganga, it was of no use, they brought Yamuna water, it didn’t work. The water remained Red.

Desperate, they prayed to Lord Rama, who was then wandering through the forest with Lakshmana.

When Rama arrived, He walked into the red waters — but the lake remained blood. He took a sip, even washed His mouth, yet nothing changed.
Puzzled, He asked, “How did this happen?”
The rishis told Him the story of Shabari — the outcaste woman whose blood had “polluted” the lake.

The moment Rama heard her name, His eyes softened, and His voice trembled —
“Oh rishis… that was not her blood. That was my own. Her pain is mine. Her devotion flows in my veins.”

He asked them to bring her at once. One of them went to Shabari and said, "Lord Rama has come and he is requesting you".
Shabari came running — limping, trembling, tears streaming down her face — the soil from her feet fell into the water as she was running hastily. Instantly, the water turned crystal clear again!
Everyone was surprised and were asking themselves "What happened? what happened?". 

The rishis stood speechless. Rama smiled, “You see? The dust of a pure devotee has done what even my touch could not.”
Shabari prayed to Lord Rama "now, please come to my hut Lord, I have decorated it with flowers for you, I have brought sweet berries for you. Please come my Lord".

He gently took Shabari’s hands and said, “Come, Mother. Take me to your home.”
Her heart overflowed with joy. She led Rama and Lakshmana to her simple hut, adorned with flowers and love.

Offering Him a bowl of berries she had picked that morning, she said, “"Lord I have selected only the sweet berries for you, I tasted every berry to make sure I have only brought the sweetest berries, please take it my Lord".

When Rama was about to take a berry Lakshman said, "Brother these are half eaten!".

But Rama smiled and took one. “Brother,” He said as He tasted it, “no fruit in this world is as sweet as this.”

Then He turned to Shabari, “Whoever offers Me a fruit, a leaf, or even water — if it is offered with love — I accept it with joy.”

Shabari then humbly suggested, “My Lord, seek out Sugreeva — the king of the Vanaras. He will aid you in your quest to find Sita.”
She added softly, “My revered guru had foretold this moment. He told me that Sugreeva would be the key to your mission — and that I would live to witness your divine purpose on earth.”

LORD RAMA  Rama explained to Shabari the Navadha Bhakti — the nine paths of devotion that lead one closer to God. He told her that even sincerely following one of these paths can earn His deepest grace.

The nine forms are:

1. Satsang: Keeping company with the righteous and the devoted.

2. Listening to divine stories: Finding joy in hearing the Lord’s leelas.

3. Serving the Guru: Offering humble service to one’s spiritual teacher.

4. Singing His glories: Praising the Lord with a pure heart.

5. Chanting His name: Repeating His name with unwavering faith.

6. Self-control and righteous living: Living with discipline and dharma.

7. Seeing the divine in all: Recognizing God in every being.

8. Contentment and non-criticism: Staying content and avoiding fault-finding.

9. Total surrender: Offering oneself completely at the Lord’s feet.

Rama blessed her, “Ask what you wish.”
With folded hands, Shabari said, “My only wish, my Lord, is to love You forever — nothing else.”

Rama’s eyes glistened. He raised His hand in blessing.
Moments later, as her Lord stood before her, Shabari’s soul left her body — merging into eternal peace, her Guru’s promise fulfilled.

 

 It is not what we do or offer to the Lord, how big or small things and projects we do. What matter is with how much devotion we offer it to Lord Rama! The Lord values bhava (feeling) over bhoga (offering)

Shabari’s Cave is near Pampa Sarovar in Hampi is the place where Shabari lived and perform her Tapasya (austerities). There is actual spot where Lord Ramacandra and Laxmana came and sat and partook Ber (berries) picked by her.

 Humble Pranams, 
Srikanth Matrubai 

Srikanth Matrubai

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If there are any mistakes/deviations.....we apologise and seek your pardon
Do point out them and email us...we will be glad to correct the same. 

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Srikanth Matrubai

Please note: All the details are collected from various sources including texts, discourses, the internet, and stories heard. If there are any mistakes/deviations.....please pardon them and email us...we will be glad to correct the same. Some images and text could be sourced. We are using it purely for information sharing purposes. If the rightful owner has an issue...do let us know...we will DELETE immediately.

PITRU PAKSHA (SHRAADH PAKSHA) FOLK STORY

FOLK STORY OF BROTHERS JOGE & BHOGE

Famous folklore connected with the Pitru Paksha (Shraadh Paksha) is of 2 brothers named Joge and Bhoge. 
Brothers Joge and Bhoge though living separately loved and respected each other. 

Joge's wife was proud of their Wealth. 

Bhoge's wife was however down to earth and very simple. 

Joge's wife wanted to perform Shradh for ancestors but Joge was not interested. 

But Joge's wife didn't want to miss the opportunity to impress the villagers with her wealth by throwing a feast in the name of Shraadh. 

She invited Bhoge's wife too. But this was done to make Bhoge's wife do all the work of cooking, cleaning, etc. 

Bhoge's wife being dutiful, came early morning to Joge's house, prepared all the dishes, cleaned the place, and after completing her work went to her own to perform Shradh in her own house. 

Bhoge's wife knew there was nothing at home.

Absolutely nothing at home.

Even to lit diya she didn't had oil or wick.

Even agarbatti she had only 1 !!!

With this single agarbatti she went to temple to lit the stick.

Once the agarbatti was lit, she came running home to do pooja before the agarbatti ran out of energy.

Soon it was noon and the Ancestors from Heaven came to Earth. 

They first went to Joge's house and were shocked to see Joge's in-laws enjoying food instead of offering it to the Ancestors. 

Disappointed they then went to Bhoge's house but were again disappointed as poor Bhoge's wife had nothing at home and had just lit an agarbatti in the name of the Ancestors.  

The shocked and disappointed ancestors licked the ashes of the agarbatti and went to the river bank hungry. 

In the evening, all the Dead Ancestors gathered and started praising their respective families for the offering made during the Shraadh. 

The ancestors of Joge-Bhoge too narrated their ordeal. 

The ancestors then felt that the good-hearted Bhoge family at least offered them something and if Bhoge family had the capacity, they would have definitely given more. 

So they blessed Bhoge "Bhoge Ke Ghar Dhan Ho Jaye" (Let there be Widespread Wealth in Bhoge's house). 

MEANWHILE, 

In poor Bhoge's house, Bhoge's children did not have anything to eat and it was already evening. 

They started pestering their mother to give them SOMETHING to eat. 

Frustrated Bhoge's wife said, "Go and see in the tank, turn it upside down, whatever you get, you can have it". 

When the children turned the Pot, they were shocked to see it FULL OF GOLD COINS. 

Excited they called their mother and when Bhoge's wife came running and saw this, she too was shocked beyond belief. 

Gradually Bhoge family used this Wealth to do business and become more Wealthy. 

They did not become arrogant and remained simple-hearted. 

When the next year Shraadh came, Bhoge prepared 56 varieties of dishes for the ancestors. 

Bhoge family invited Brahmins, served a delicious variety of Food, and gave a lot of Dakshina including Gold and silver. 

The Brahmins and of course, Bhoge's ancestors blessed the Bhoge family full of heart to be HAPPY AND CONTENTED FOREVER. 

So, go ahead and donate with a full open heart this Pitru Paksha and get blessed. 

All the best,
May you stay blessed, happy, and contented. 
Regards,
Srikanth Matrubai

MUTUAL FUND DISTRIBUTOR

REBALANCE VOLATILITY CERTIFIED COACH

Srikanth Matrubai, Author of the Amazon Best Seller DON'T RETIRE RICH

You are strongly encouraged to consult your financial planner before making any decision regarding this investment. The views expressed here are the author's personal views and should not be interpreted as a recommendation to invest/avoid.

 

Srikanth Matrubai Author of the Amazon Best Seller DON'T RETIRE RICH

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SOURCE OF HAPPINESS

What is the price of happiness?

 

Once there was a king who had presented his daughter, the princess, with a beautiful diamond necklace.


The necklace was stolen and his people in the kingdom searched everywhere but could not find it. Some said a bird might have stolen it. The king then asked them all to search for it and put a reward for Rs.5,00,000 for anyone who found it.

One day a clerk was walking home along a river next to an industrial area. This river was completely polluted, filthy and smelly.




As he was walking, the clerk saw a shimmering in the river and when he looked, he saw the diamond necklace. He decided to try and catch it so that he could get the Rs.5,00,000 reward.

He put his hand in the filthy, dirty river and grabbed at the necklace, but somehow missed it and did not catch it. He took his hand out and looked again and the necklace was still there.

He tried again, this time he walked in the river and dirtied his pants in the filthy river and put his whole arm in to catch the necklace. But strangely, he still missed the necklace! He came out and started walking away, feeling depressed.

Then again, he saw the necklace, right there. This time he was determined to get it, no matter what. He decided to plunge into the river, although it was a disgusting thing to do as the river was polluted, and his whole body would become filthy. He plunged in, and searched everywhere for the necklace and yet he failed. This time he was really bewildered and came out feeling very depressed that he could not get the necklace that would get him Rs.5,00,000.

Just then a saint who was walking by, saw him, and asked him what the matter was. The clerk did not want to share the secret with the saint, thinking the saint might take the necklace for himself, so he refused to tell the saint anything. But the saint could see this man was troubled and being compassionate, again asked the clerk to tell him the problem and promised that he would not tell anyone about it.

The clerk mustered some courage and decided to put some faith in the saint. He told the saint about the necklace and how he tried and tried to catch it but kept failing. The saint then told him that perhaps he should try looking upward, toward the branches of the tree, instead of in the filthy river. The clerks looked up and true enough, the necklace was dangling on the branch of a tree !!!

All along, the clert had been trying to capture a mere reflection of the real necklace all this time.

 

We cannot do our part unless we have unlocked the door and found something within.

 

 

 

Material happiness is just like the filthy, polluted river, because it is a mere reflection of the TRUE happiness in the spiritual world. We can never achieve the happiness we are looking for no matter how hard we endeavor in material life. Instead, we should look upwards, toward God, who is the source of real happiness, and stop chasing after the reflection of this happiness in the material world.

 

 

Happy people know that happiness is a choice. They know it is not a reaction to present circumstances. Instead, happiness is an available decision despite them. They have removed the thinking that waits for everything to be perfect before joy in life is experienced.

 

On the other hand, unhappy people are always searching for happiness. They believe happiness is reliant upon the acquisition of something new or something different. They are constantly chasing, but never attaining. Often times, they search for it in all the wrong places.

 

Stay Blessed

Stay Happy 

SRIKANTH MATRUBAI 

Srikanth Matrubai Author of the Amazon Best Seller DON'T RETIRE RICH Do read the book and give your valuable feedback and request you to post positive comments on the Amazon. https://amzn.to/3cHUM6M/ You can purchase the book on amazon and flipkart Request the readers to join our TELEGRAM channel BHAKTI SAGAR     https://t.me/joinchat/AAAAAFKlm9h_SyEtTyvv1Q/ 

 Please note : All the details are collected from various sources including texts, discourses, internet and stories heard. If there any mistakes/deviations.....please pardon and email us...we will be glad to correct the same.

Some images and text could be sourced. 
We are using purely for informational sharing purposes. 
If the rightful owner has an issue...do let us know...we will DELETE immediately. 

STORY ABOUT WHY SUN GOD GIFTED UMBRELLA AND PADUKA TO HUMANS

One of the Saptarishi is Sage Jamadagi (father of 6^th Incarnation of Lord Vishnu, Lord Parusharama)

 

In Mahabharata (Anushasana Parva) there is an unusual story which is being shared here.

 

Rishi Jamadagni was a great Archer and loved to practice regularly

His wife, Devi Renuka who used to run like a Hare would be equally fast in bringing back those arrows and hand over them to the Rishi again.

 

Once in the noon heat of Jyestha Masa, Rishi Jamadagni as usual, was practicing again and kept shooting the arrows.

As usual, Devi Renuka would run and bring the arrows.

Suddenly, he noticed that his beloved Devi Renuka was limping.

The Surprised Rishi asked “Devi, why are you limping” ?

Devi Renuka said, “The Sun is burning like a furnace, my head is aching and my feet are burning due to that heat produced by the Sun rays”.

Seeing this, Rishi Jamadagni became furious at the Sun God and immediately took aim at the Sun.

 

Sensing trouble, Sun God immediately appeared before the Rishi in the form of a Brahmana and

Seeing a Brahmana, Rishi Jamadagni immediately lowered his bow and welcomed the Guest.

When the Brahmana asked the Rishi, “at whom are you aiming your arrow and why”…. The Sage explained everything.

At this, the Sun  God in the guise of Brahmana laughed and said “O Great Rishi….. The Sun is always is in Motion. At mid-day, the Rays of the sun will be at its peak of strength. This is his Karma and he is bound to do this. Stopping the Sun from doing his duty will bring the World to a standstill”.

Seeing sense, Rishi Jamadagni said “O wise Brahmana Devta, then you tell me the solution to this”.

Noticing that the Rishi’s anger had cooled, Sun God immediately revealed his true form.

Sun God as a remedy to this, immediately presented an Umbrella and a pair of Sandals for protection from the heat of the Sun Rays. Sun God says “O Great Rishi, henceforth, the gift of an umbrella and a pair of Sandals in all religious rites shall be established as meritorious”.

 

By giving old people these umbrellas and footwear one would get Punya (merit). For this reason in the rites for the departed these articles are given. The forefathers would be pleased. This tradition has come down to us from Jamadagni and the Sun God. In ancient times humans had to get drenched 

 

 

 

MORAL :
If Someone is getting troubled even if you are doing your duty, you are better off giving them the solution to overcome the trouble.

 

And when you have protection from the below and protection from the above, you can truly concentrate.

 

 

 

 

 

 

TEMPLE :

Jamadagni Rishi Temple is located in Peej, Kullu (near Manali) in HIMACHAL

 

Offering at the Lotus Feet of Sri Sri Srikanteshwara  Swamy, Nanjungud

Srikanth Matrubai

Srikanth Matrubai Author of the Amazon Best Seller DON'T RETIRE RICH Do read the book and give your valuable feedback and request you to post positive comments on the Amazon. https://amzn.to/3cHUM6M/ You can purchase the book on amazon and flipkart Request the readers to join our TELEGRAM channel BHAKTI SAGAR     https://t.me/joinchat/AAAAAFKlm9h_SyEtTyvv1Q/ 

 Please note : All the details are collected from various sources including texts, discourses, internet and stories heard. If there any mistakes/deviations.....please pardon and email us...we will be glad to correct the same.

Some images and text could be sourced. 
We are using purly for informational sharing purposes. 
If the rightful owner has an issue...do let us know...we will DELETE immediately.