← Back to the Tree, at this story ← Lakshmana Rekha: the line that is not in Valmiki · Entering Dandakaranya at Harchowka →

STORIES · THE RĀMĀYAṆA · Araṇya

Shabari's tasted berries

Variant

The berries she tasted first are the most famous gift in the epic.

Shabari, a disciple of Matanga near Rishyamukha, tastes each berry and keeps the sweet ones for Rama. When Lakshmana objects, Rama says nothing equals these berries given with devotion. He blesses her leaf bowls, teaches nine forms of devotion (navadha bhakti), and sends Rama toward Sugriva. Tulsidas shows her washing his feet with tears and offering tasted berries.

Who: Shabari, Rama, Lakshmana, Matanga

Bound to

Guha insists on washing Rama's feet before the boat mirror

Places: Rishyamukha, near Hampi, Karnataka

Where this comes from

• devotional · Wikipedia: Shabari
• devotional · Wikipedia: Ramcharitmanas Aranya Kand

See it on the tree · All stories

← Lakshmana Rekha: the line that is not in Valmiki · Entering Dandakaranya at Harchowka →