When Maharishi Matanga was ready to leave for heaven, he gave the responsibility of the ashram to young Shabari, who was just ten years old. But Shabari, holding his hand tightly, began to cry and begged to go with him. Seeing her tears, the Maharishi gently said, “Daughter, stay here. One day, God Himself will come to this ashram.”
Shabari, innocent and full of faith, asked, “When will you come back?” Maharishi Matanga, who could see the past, present, and future, knelt before her and bowed. The other sages were shocked to see a Guru bow to his young disciple, but they remained silent, awed by his wisdom.
The Maharishi then explained, “God’s arrival will take time. King Dasharatha has not even married yet. First, he will marry Kaushalya, and the wait will begin. Then he will marry Sumitra, and the wait will continue. Later, he will marry Kaikeyi, and only after many years will God be born as their son.
He will grow up, marry Janaki, and go into exile for 14 years. In the last year of exile, when Janaki is kidnapped, He will come here searching for her. At that time, you will tell Him to befriend Sugreev and help Him defeat Ravana.”
Shabari was confused. She couldn’t understand how long this wait would be. With innocent impatience, she asked, “Gurudev, how will I wait for so long?” Maharishi Matanga reassured her, “God will definitely come. This is certain. He can come at any time because He is beyond time.
Remember, He once came out of a pillar to save Prahlad. He will come to you too. Just wait patiently. The world will remember me as your Guru, and this is the reward for my penance.” Shabari followed her Guru’s words and stayed in the ashram. Every day, she waited for Prabhu Ram.
She spread flowers on the path, believing He could come any moment. Years passed, but her faith never wavered. She grew old, yet her heart remained as innocent as ever. One day, her wait ended. Prabhu Ram’s feet touched the flowers she had lovingly spread. Overwhelmed, tears streamed down her face. Her Guru’s words had come true, Prabhu had come to her.
Prabhu Ram, who had never eaten leftovers from his own mothers, accepted Shabari’s offering of simple berries with love and gratitude. Shabari looked at Him with tearful eyes and said, “Prabhu Ram, did you face many difficulties finding my small hut?” Smiling, Shri Ram replied, “Mother, I had to come to you. No difficulty could stop me.”
Shabari continued, “Prabhu, I have waited for you since before you were born. I didn’t even know what you looked like or why you would come to me. I only knew that someone great would come to fulfill my wait.” Ram responded gently, “Even before my birth, it was decided that I would come to your ashram.”
Shabari then said, “There are two kinds of devotion ‘Vanari Bhava’ and ‘Marjari Bhava.’ A baby monkey holds tightly to its mother, clinging with all its strength, trusting her completely. This is one way of devotion holding on to God with all your effort. But I chose the second way, like a kitten. A kitten doesn’t cling to its mother but sits calmly, knowing the mother will carry and protect it. I waited for you with that trust.”
Hearing this, Prabhu Ram smiled warmly, appreciating her pure and unwavering devotion.
