In Dandakaranya, near the hermitage of Sage Matanga, lived an elderly devotee named Shabari. Her guru had said that one day Shri Ram himself would come to her door. Since then Shabari swept the path and strewed flowers every day as she waited.
Years passed. One day Shri Ram and Lakshmana truly arrived at her hermitage. Shabari’s eyes filled with tears of joy. She offered them a seat and washed their feet.
Shabari brought sweet berries picked from the forest and offered them to Shri Ram. The story says she tasted each berry first to make sure it was sweet, so the Lord would not get a sour one.
Shri Ram ate those berries lovingly, without hesitation. Lakshmana was surprised, but Ram said that what is given with feeling is dearest of all.
Shri Ram taught Shabari the nine forms of devotion (Navadha Bhakti) and also asked her the way to find Sita. Shabari showed the path and, feeling her life complete, departed for the onward journey.