Hari Om.
Let us begin the seventy fourth sarga of the araNya kAnDam by offering our prostrations at the lotus feet of SrIrAma and our sathguru.
Emerging from the pyre, the redeemed kabandha, now had a glorious body, well decked and sat in an aerial chariot. As he regained his celestial body, he also rediscovered his prescience and suggested rAma to find an ally to help in finding sItA, suggested the mighty sugrIva as an ally and also gave a detailed account of how and where to find him. He spoke about the hills and forests that the dup will have to cross and narrated about the flora and fauna of the hill RushamUka. On the way, they would meet SabarI, the amazing ascetic woman who being the servitor of the realized sages now lived in anticipation of rAma in the hermitage of the sage matanga. The realized sages, although they were keen to meet rAma, left their bodies and instructed SabarI to wait for him before attaining salvation of her own will! Having given all these directions, kabandha hastened to his celestial abode. The duo set out as told. Onwards…
As advised by kabandha, the duo set out in the western direction on their way to the lake pampa. On those hills, they beheld tall trees on their way that bore honey-sweet fruits and looking for sugrIva, they surged ahead. Resting a while on the hills, the duo reached the western banks of pampa. There on the banks of pampa, they saw the lovely hermitage of SabarI. The hermitage was enchanting and was surrounded by trees. They entered inside and approached SabarI. Beholding the duo, SabarI, the accomplished ascetic, recognized them and fell at the feet of rAma and lakshmaNa and extended hospitality due to guests such as offering water to wash their feet and sip. Having received the hospitality, rAma addressed the ascetic woman steeped in austerities and penance –
“O repository of tapas (penance), I hope you are not facing any obstacles and are well engaged in enhancing your tapas by having control over anger and food. I hope you have attained self-restraint and your mind delights and I hope your service to the gurus has attained fulfilment”
कच्चित्ते निर्जिता विघ्नाः कच्चित्ते वर्धते तपः।
कच्चित्ते नियतः क्रोध आहारश्च तपोधने।।3.74.8।।
कच्चित्ते नियमाः प्राप्ताः कच्चित्ते मनसः सुखम्।
कच्चित्ते गुरुशुश्रूषा सफला चारुभाषिणि।।3.74.9।।
Thus inquired by rAma, the old woman, who was not only an accomplished ascetic but acknowledged by the accomplished ascetics spoke –
“Today indeed by your vision, my tapas has attained fulfilment and today all my worship of the gurus has attained fruition. Indeed, today my birth has become fruitful and I will attain the heavens having worshipped you, the loftiest of gods. I have been sanctified, O scion of raghu , by your gentle glance on me and by your grace I shall ascend to the high heavens of infinite merits.
अद्य प्राप्ता तपस्सिद्धिस्तव संदर्शनान्मया।
अद्य मे सफलं तप्तं गुरवश्च सुपूजिताः।।3.74.11।।
अद्य मे सफलं जन्म स्वर्गश्चैव भविष्यति।
त्वयि देववरे राम पूजिते पुरुषर्षभ।।3.74.12।।
चक्षुषा तव सौम्येन पूतास्मि रघुनन्दन।
गमिष्याम्यक्षयान्लोकांस्त्वत्प्रसादादरिन्दम।।3.74.13।।
As you reached the chitrakUTa, the great sages who I served ascended to the heavens in aerial chariots. I was told by those dharmic greats that rAma along with saumitri will grace this holy hermitage and he shall receive your hospitality. They told me I shall ascend to the heavens after having their darSan (vision). I have been collecting the forest produce grown on the banks of pampa for your sake, O best among men”.
मया तु विविधं वन्यं सञ्चितं पुरुषर्षभ।
तवार्थे पुरुषव्याघ्र पम्पायास्तीरसम्भवम्।।3.74.17।।
The righteous rAma spoke to SabarI who never for a moment was away from the knowledge of the self –
I have heard from the great danu (kabandha) about your glory. I would like to see that myself if you think it is appropriate. Hearing rAma’s words, SabarI took them around to the hermitage and its gardens and showed around –
“Look, O scion of Rahu, this forest dense like the clouds is known widely as the forest of matanga full of birds and beasts. This is where the realized Rshis, my gurus lived and by the power of their mantras sanctified this place and performed yajnas here. Here this altar on the western side which I arranged and where we performed floral decorations with trembling hands. Look, rAma, by virtue of their penance the gods in the altar is shining today as well illuminating the directions. Since the great sages were fatigued by fasting and could not venture to the seven seas for performing ablutions, drawn by their contemplation, the seven seas came here together. Having taken their bath, they have put out the wet bark robes for drying and they are still wet today! The flowers that those great sages have used in the worship of the gods have not wilted and withered to this day. As desired by you, I have shown you the wonders of this great forest and narrated to you its worth listening legend. Now, with your permission, I would like to shed this body of mine and want to reach the exalted worlds where the gurus served by me dwell”.
Along with lakshmaNa, rAma exclaimed and wowed at what SabarI showed just now and told the ascetic who was stickler to the vows that he has been well taken care of by her hospitality and that she may leave as per her wish.
permitted thus, the ripe old ascetic SabarI of matted hairs who was donning bark clothes entered into fire by herself and ascended the high heavens like a flaming ball of fire. She had transformed into a delightful form, bedecked with jewels, smeared with scents donning excellent clothes and lit up that whole place like a streak of bright lightning.
यत्र ते सुकृतात्मानो विहरन्ति महर्षयः ।
तत्पुण्यं शबरी स्थानम् जगामात्मसमाधिना ॥
By virtue of her own tapas and unbreakable poise, SabarI ascended the hallowed heavens where accomplished sages dwell.
Here we conclude the seventy fourth sarga of the araNya kAnDam of SrImath vAlmiKi rAmAyaNam and humbly offer it at the lotus feet of SrIrAma. Hari: Om!
jAi SrIrAma.
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Next: 3.75. Hope springs in rAma’s heart
Previous: 3.73. The path to pampa
rAmabhaktisAmrAjyam 
