Shabari Moksham is a very moving episode in Ramayana.
Shabari was born in a forest dwelling clan. When her wedding was fixed, she found that many animals were about to be butchered for preparing her wedding feast. Aghast that her wedding should lead to the death of so many living beings, Shabari ran away from home and sought refuge in the ashram of Matanga Rishi. Realizing that Shabari was an evolved soul who had imbibed Ahimsa in her very way of life, Matanga permitted Shabari to spend the rest of her life in his Ashram. When Rama visited her, Shabari fed Rama with the choicest of fruits that she had bitten first to check for their taste! Shabari subsequently received salvation from Rama himself.
Bhagawan Mahavira too stressed that no one should harm any living being not just in action but also in thought. Ahimsa is a basic tenet of the Jainism religion founded by him.
In a world where dis-agreements quickly result in exchange of blows, the concept of Ahimsa is more relevant than ever.
Periyalwar Thirumozhi – The Fifth Set of Ten – The Fourth Divine Poem
463. Oh Lord who resides in the towering mountain of Venkatadri (Tirumala Tirupati) which touches the clouds! You manifested to bless all living beings. Damodara! You pardon the faults of your devotees. I am branded with the emblem of the Sudharshana chakra. Tell me what I should do for you!
464. Oh Lord who rides the Garuda! When I was without refuge, you took me in. Ever since, this ocean like struggle for existence has completely abated! All the sins that plagued this life have turned into ash! The sweet river of knowledge (of you) flows in me non-stop!
465. My king! The Lord of my clan! My hero! No one would have received your grace as much as I have. The sins of all those born on this earth have fled to hide in the bushes. These sins have lost their form and there is no sign of them! What a surprise!
466. Oh brave one who carries the Sudarshana Chakra and the Saranga bow from your mighty shoulders! You churned the ocean to fetch the nectar of immortality. I have survived by opening my mouth and chanting your name that’s like nectar. Even Yama hesitates to enter my domain!
467. Oh father! You have brought my senses under your control. You have prevented my soul from being led astray. Like testing gold for purity by rubbing it against a stone, I take your name again and again in my tongue. You are manifested in me! I have surrendered to you!
468. You incarnated as Parasurama who subdued kings and their armies with his mighty axe. I have painted in my heart details of all you feats! My Lord! Show yourself to me. Don’t leave me alone!
469. Like the Pandyan kings who planted their flag with the fish symbol in the snow clad mountains, so you have planted your lotus-like feet on my head. Oh Lord who subdued mighty elephants! Oh Lord who felled the mighty wrestlers – Chanura and Mushtika! Bless me with the good fortune to recite your names at all times! (Goddess Meenakshi whose temple is located in the city of Madurai is believed to be the daughter of Malayadwaja Pandyan. The Pandyan kings find mention in both Ramayana & the Mahabharata.)
470. Oh Lord with the Sudarshana Chakra who did me a great help! You are affectionate to Ananta (the thousand hooded snake) and Garuda (the king of birds). You have made me live by making my heart your home. With tears in eyes, I express my gratitude to you for this.
471. Oh Lord who resides in the cold waters of the ocean of milk! From there, you have come to reside in the ocean of my existence (Samsara Saagara). Oh husband of Mahalakshmi! Shirking aside the beautiful ocean, the incomparable rays of the sun and the boundless horizon, you have chosen to dwell in my heart. What a great act of selflessness is this!
472. Like a beautiful creeper resides in a mountain, you reside in my heart like a ray of light. Instead of staying in Vaikuntam in the north or even Dwaraka, you have chosen to reside in my heart. How much love you have for me!
473. Periyalwar born in the Veyar clan has composed these verses in praise of Gopalan, the Lord who is colored like the rain bearing clouds, who resides in Periyalwar’s heart. Those who recite these verses will forever be inseparable from the lord and will follow him like a shadow.
Thus, concludes Periyalwar Thirumozhi – the divine verses composed by Periyalwar. I will be moving next to Tiruppaavai – composed by Andal. May Andal bestow her bountiful blessings on us as we continue this exploration into the Divya Prabandham. 🙂