RamarpaNam 371 => 373.

Jai Sri Ram.

Shabhari gets salvation :

''Mt. Rishyamuka off Pampa lake is unique in that should a man sleep on the heights of that mountain, and dream of gaining some riches, he gains that much when he wakes up. Sugreeva dwells in the cave nearby along with four other monkeys, and will be available on the peaks of that mountain'' Thus Kabandha informed Rama and Lakshmana and redeemed to divine world.

Taking the cue and after making a sojourn on the mountaintop, to the west side of Pampa Lake the two spotted the ideal hermitage of Shabari. Both the brothers then approach Shabari as said by Kabandha and She honours them as guests. She gave them water for feet-wash and mouthwash, and dishes by way of athithi satkaram.

Rama enquiring about her ascetic practises asked whether her sacred commitments are achieved, that she is appeased in herself and subservience to her mentor, Sage Mathanga have borne fruit. She replied befittingly saying that by the gracious presence of Rama and His acceptance of all the offerings just completed her penance and that her birth is fructified, while subservience to her mentors have turned her divine.

A point to be noted at this juncture is that while Rama did not taste the offerings given by Guha earlier, He willingly tasted all that were offered by Shabhari. Though both belong to the same race that of a hunter, Shabhari's offerings have the sanction of her Guru under whose directions she stayed back to receive Rama and Lakshmana at their hermitage and venerated them not only in her personal capacity but also representing her mentor-teacher, Sage Mathanga. That makes all the difference as the saying goes : Tath bhaktha bhaktheshu preethi abyathika bhavEth.

She then expresses her desire to depart to the spheres where her teachers are gone. Rama gives consent to it, and she offering herself into fire, ascended heaven.

For Jataayu Rama's blessings helped salvation but for Shabhari, the blessings of her Teacher by itself fetched salvation. Thus Acharya sambandam that of Bhagavat Ramanuja by way of pancha samskaram or samasrayaNam will undoubtedly ensure liberation from samsara.

பகவதபிமானம் அவன் கையைப் பிடித்து காரியம் கொள்ளுமா போலே. ஆசாரியாபிமானம் அவன் காலைப் பிடித்து காரியம் கொள்ளுமாபோலே, நிர்பரோ நிர்பயோஸ்மி.