Sage Valmiki has
written about Sabari, who lived in the Ramayana period.
Sabari belonged to
the hunters tribe. She was attached to the ashram of Mathanga rishi even when
she was young. The sweat of Mathanga rishi's disciples that would fall on the
ground transformed into flowers that never died.
When Rama and
Lakshmana set out in search of Seetha, en route they killed Kabandakan who had
been transformed into an Asura due to a curse. After being released from the
curse, he told Rama that Sabari has been waiting for them at Mathanga rishi's
ashram.
So Rama and
Lakshmana visited the ashram where Sabari told them that Mathanga rishi and his
disciples had attained moksha and gone to heaven (swargam).
She also said
Mathanga rishi had told her that Rama and Lakshmana would visit the ashram and
that she could reach heaven after serving them.As part of her
hospitality, Sabari offered fruits to Rama and Lakshmana before taking them
around the ashram and showing the place where Mathanga rishi and his disciples
did yagas.
She then sought
Rama's permission to leave the world. On getting his consent, Sabari entered
the fire wearing deer skin and emerged out of it as a beautiful woman wrapped
in a silk dress and adorned with beautiful jewels. She attained swargam with
Rama's permission.Sabari rejoined
Mathanga rishi and his disciples in heaven.
(as was in Valmiki Ramayanam)
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