The Berries of Shabri

$115
Item Code: CA94
Specifications:
Height: 15 inch
Width: 15 inch
Depth: 8 inch
Handmade
Handmade
Free delivery
Free delivery
Fully insured
Fully insured
Shipped to 153 countries
Shipped to 153 countries
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More than 1M+ customers worldwide
Malini was the wife of Vitihotra. For being unfaithful to her husband she was cursed to be born in a tribe of forest dwellers. Malini wept and her husband relented slightly:

" Vishnu born as Rama will take your curse away ", he said to her.

Malini was reborn as Shabari near the forest hermitage of a saint. She spent her days awaiting the arrival of Rama.

While looking for Sita, Rama and Lakshmana came across her humble dwelling. Shabari was overjoyed at this honor and rushed inside her hut to find something to offer to the royal visitors. But she had nothing except a few Ber berries (Jujube) from a tree growing near the hut.

Shabari wanted to make sure that Rama and Lakshmana got only the sweetest of berries. So she bit into each fruit, and if it turned out sweet she gave it to either brother. The unsuitable ones she threw away. Rama ate the fruit given to him for he saw the love and devotion that had made this illiterate woman taste the berries. But the fastidious Lakshmana threw the bitten fruit away. It is said that the life-giving herb Sanjivini, grew out of the fruit that he threw and later, when he was grievously injured in battle, this herb saved his life.

As for Shabari, as soon as Rama blessed her for her devotion, she was transformed into Malini, and reunited with her husband.

Reference:

Gandhi, Maneka. On the Mythology of Indian Plants: Delhi, Rupa & Co, 1999.

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