XSABARI (SABARl)
XSABARI
(SABARl) was an aged woman of the tribe of forest-dwellers. Sri
Rama, during his life in the forest, gave her salvation.
Xsabari,
in her former life, was the only daughter Malini of the Gandharva King, Chithrakavacha.
An erudite scholar, Veethihothra,
married her. As he was ever immersed in
contemplation of Brahman his wife Malini, (later Xsabari) kept one hunter,
Kalmasha, as her paramour, and her husband cursed her thus: "As you have
become a lover of the hunter, you turn out to be a hunter-woman."
At
the Suburbs of Maathanga's hermitage, Malini in tears sought redemption from
the curse from her husband, and he told her that she would get absolution from
her infamy and the curse from Sri Rama. Immediately she was transformed into a
hunter-woman and she came to the suburbs of Maathangaasramam. She took a
special liking for the place, the reason being that the flowers in the aasramam
possessed a special fragrance. Once while the disciples were carrying a load of
flowers for the muni (Maathanga) a few drops of sweat from their bodies fell on
the ground, and the muni blessed that the trees and creepers, which grew up
from the sweat and their flowers would never fade.
This
is described as follows in Canto 73, Aaranyakaandam of Valmiki Ramayanam.
"Oh ! Rama ! nobody plucks and wears those flowers. They neither fade nor
fall down. While the disciples of Maathanga were carrying a load of flowers for
him, they sweated on account of exhaustion and some drops of sweat fell on
earth which developed themselves into flowers due to the prowess of the guru's
tapas. Even today may be seen there Xsabari, who has taken to sanyaasa and who
tends the flowers. She will attain heaven only after seeing you."
Xsabari
lived for long there serving Maathanga's disciples, performing tapas and
learning knowledge about Brahman. At the time of the munis giving up their
physical bodies they blessed Xsabari that without further delay she would meet
Rama and get redemption from the curse. They also blessed that she would
possess divine eyes to see hidden things and also the past and the future.
After that she was spending her days awaiting the arrival of Rama.
It
was the period of the life in the forest of Rama and Lakshmana. After visiting
various aasramams, Rama at last came to Maathangasramam. Hearing about Rama's visit Xsabari had
gathered a lot of fruits. Now, Rama and Lakshmana came and Xsabari received
them most respectfully. After herself biting each fruit from every bunches to test
its taste she gave the fruits for them to eat. The left-overs of Xsabari appeared
as nectar to Rama. Then Xsabari told Rama thus: "When you go a short
distance south-wards there is the beautiful stream called Pampa. You cross
Pampa and advance a little further and you will reach mount Rushyamuka. On the
top of that mountain lives Sugriva, son of Sun, and if you enter into alliance
with him you will succeed in finding out and getting back Sita after
annihilating the enemies. Oh ! Lord ! my salutations."
After
speaking thus, Xsabari the great anchorite and chaste woman closed her eyes.
Immediately she was transformed into Malini, the Gandharva damsel, and all at
once a handsome Gandharva prince appeared there in a divine plane. It was Veethihotra,
the husband of Malini. After saluting
Sri Rama, he took away his wife in a chariot to the Gandharva city.
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