- Rama and Lakshmana became aware of treachery. They saw that Maricha took a form of a golden deer to lure them. Rama shot an arrow, and Maricha died. They rushed towards the hut to see Mother Sita.
- They didn’t find her in the hut. Lakshmana saw that the Lakshmana Rekha was untouched. They felt that Mother merged herself with fire. But, they could not see her false form. They even found some pieces of evidence of past mayhem and several unusual large footprints. They realized that someone had abducted her.
- Rama and Lakshmana ran on foot to find her. Rama uttered her name to search her. The Mother’s name echoed in the forest. At the same time, Mother Sita was sitting under the Ashoka tree and was chanting Rama’s name.
Both were enunciating the name of the same essence. We often express our emotions about respect to women, with special reference to Mother Sita. But, she is the Energy that cannot be disgraced or honored. - Rama and Lakshmana found a wounded bird lying in their way. They rushed towards him and asked about his well-being. Jatayu narrated the incident. He said that Ravana had kidnapped Mother, and he tried to kill Jatayu. But, he could not kill him as the faith saved him. Jatayu believed that Rama would come to him in search of Mother and he could die before Rama. Rama took Jatayu in his lap and stroked gently. Jatayu enunciated Rama and left the physical abode.
- Rama and Lakshmana continued their journey and reached near Rishi Matang’s hermitage. They enquired about Mother. The charged aura and vibrations of the hermitage attracted the princes. They walked towards the hermit and met Mother Shabari. She was a seventy-seven-year-old lady who had been waiting for Rama for seventy years. Her eyes were restless for Rama. As she saw Rama and Lakshmana, she rejoiced.
- She did her best to serve her Lord, her son. She offered wild jujubes. She used to taste the fruits and place the juiciest ones for Rama.
We may think that she offered contaminated fruits of Lord. Lord is hungry for love, not for flaunty fruits. - Rama even offered Lakshmana. Lakshmana could not accept the fruits as he had taken a vow to remain without food and sleep for fourteen years (only he could kill Meghnatha). But, he accepted the words of Mother and accepted the prasad. Lakshmana didn’t eat anything except the berry for fourteen years.
- Rama and Mother discussed Navdha Bhakti, and Mother told Rama about the Kishkindha hills and Sugriva. Mother wished to leave the divine abode before Rama. She enunciated Rama and left.
