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Tale of devotion: Shabari Jayanti
Though every character mentioned in our mythological text hold their unique significance, yet few of them capture our attention and become eternal. They become the epitome and inspiration of our daily life and also provide us the strength to connect with Supreme power. Shabari was one such character who is still known for her innocence, immense devotion and shraddha and saburi. Oblivious to the customs and traditions of the high society, she spent her entire life in the forest wandering and waiting for her Shri Rama.
To appreciate and adore the faith of this divine lady, Shabari Jayanti is celebrated on Krishna Paksha Saptami in the month of Phalguna, as per the north Indian lunar calendar. The day holds great significance among the Kol Community.
The day Lord Rama reached the doors of Shabari, she was overwhelmed with joy and tears rolled down her cheeks. She couldn’t believe that her Rama was there to meet her after years of patience and faith in the Lord. In her innocence and bounty of love, she started tasting the fruits before offering them to lord Rama. She never wanted to offer any sour or poisonous fruits to him.
Shri Rama happily accepted the half eaten fruits and proved that it is not the condition or value of the offering that matters but devotion of the devotee who offers it. When Sri Rama asked her, “Shabari what boon would you like“? Shabari says, “With my Guru’s blessing I was blessed to have your darshan today. I do not desire anything else now. Please give me the permission to give up my mortal body and attain salvation.”
1st March 2016 is celebrated as Shabari Jayanti this year to remember her love and devotion towards her guru. This day inspires the devotees to be faithful and true towards the lord and focus more on the devotion rather than the offerings.
Attitude of Generosity: Our Sacred Cows
After the unlimited debates and discussions over meat ban in our country, it’s necessary to revive the age old traditions and sentiments of Indians attached with the ‘sacred cows’. Being an important ingredient of hamburger, and holding tons of nutritional and protein value in terms of cost; yet the other virtues of cows cannot be ignored.
Cow, the ever known symbol of the Earth– the giver and the nourisher; represents the generous attitude and demands nothing in return. It’s a symbol of grace and abundance and inspires the people to adapt the virtues of gentleness and love for nature. Even our own Vedas have an important mention about wish fulfilling cow- Kamadhenu.
The nutritious milk of cow is a source of curing numerous diseases, and an easy remedy of dysentery, inflammation, and so on. To get rid of the problem of obesity, cow’s milk has been proved to be the most effective solution. Along with milk, cow is also a source of cream, yogurt, cheese, butter and ice cream, ghee and buttermilk. It gives entirely of itself through sirloin, ribs, rump, porterhouse and beef stew. Its bones are the base for soup broths and glues. It gives the world leather belts, leather seats, leather coats and shoes and what not.
Even the waste of cow i.e. urine and dung has its own magical qualities. The urine consists of high quantity of sulphur and mercury, which is used in variety of Ayurveda medicines. Cow dung is an effective disinfectant and still used as a source of fuel and manure for plantation.
Mahatma Gandhi once said, “One can measure the greatness of a nation and its moral progress by the way it treats its animals. Cow protection to me is not mere protection of the cow. It means protection of all that lives and is helpless and weak in the world. The cow means the entire subhuman world.”
The good fortune and the selfless attitude of the innocent animal is enough to melt the heart of inhumane beings and spare these lovely creatures. Our Rig Vedas also demands us to save the life of this pleasant existence.
Contributed By: Meenakshi Ahuja
Shubhpuja.com 