Shabari Listens to the Nine Forms of Devotion
Rama Defines Ideal Devotees in Tulsidas’ Ramcharita Manas
May 4, 2009
Though the Ramcharita Manas recounts the story of Rama, it is not a narrative epic. Tulsidas focuses on the describing the divine nature of Rama and the expression of devotion. The Ramcharita Manas was written during the Bhakti (Devotion) Movement. In the Aranya (Forest) Canto Rama explains to Shabari the nine forms of devotion. This dialogue captures the essence of the scripture.
"How Should I Worship Thee?"
Like Kaushalya, Shabari asks Rama with folded palms, “How should I worship thee?” But Shabari’s dilemma was different. Her problem was that she was of a low caste, a woman and ignorant.
Such passages have been used by critics of Hinduism to imply that Hinduism preached an exploitation of the weak and women. This exploitation was a reality in Hindu society as it was a reality in any other society in the world. However this exploitation was a social condition and not a religious diktat.
Rama’s reply to Shabari should clear any misconceptions. He said, “I recognize only devotion. Caste, kinship, lineage, reputation, wealth, strength, numbers and cleverness cannot enable persons to reach out to me. Without devotion a person is like a cloud without water.” Rama added that Shabari’s life exemplified all nine forms.
The Nine Forms of Devotion
It was then that Rama enumerated the nine forms of devotion as follows:
- The first form of devotion is the company of saints;
- The second form is listening to the Epics and Puranas;
- The third form is humbly serving ones guru;
- The fourth form is singing devotional songs;
- The fifth form is chanting God’s name with unwavering faith;
- The sixth form is the practice of good conduct avoiding all undesirable activities;
- The seventh form is to see God in everyone and to revere saints above all else;
- The eighth form lies in contentment and not wishing ill for others even in ones dreams, and;
- The ninth form is having faith in God through good and bad times.
Rama added that no one form of devotion was better than another. Anyone who follows any one of these forms could attain salvation.
The Discourse in Context
Sita has been abducted by Ravan and Rama and Lakshman are searching for her. They reach Shabari’s hermitage, where Shabari is eagerly awaiting their arrival. Her guru, the sage Matang, had informed Shabari before he passed away that Rama would visit her hermitage some time.
Since then, she spent almost a life time waiting for Rama. Everyday she would pick fresh berries for Rama, just in case he came that day.
When Rama came she washed his feet and when Rama has seated himself she offered the berries that she had plucked that day. She would take a bite of each berry and if it was sour she would throw it aside. She would offer the sweet partly eaten berries to Rama.
It is considered inappropriate to offer eaten food to a guest of repute let alone God himself. But Shabari was so entranced in her devotion that she did not realize that she was breaching protocol. And Rama was so fascinated by her devotion that he did not care.
Then followed the discourse described above. Rama asked Shabari if she knew of Sita’s whereabouts. Shabari guided him to the Vanar (Monkey) King Sugriv. Then Shabari implanted the Lord’s image in her mind and gave up her life. Little of the above narration is described in the Ramcharita Manas, which focuses largely on the discourse.
Hinduism Offers Diversity
The crux of the discourse is that devotion has not been described in a singular manner. The forms described are diverse. They take into account that humans have inherently different natures and the same form of devotion may not suit everyone. Therefore a person can choose from these as befits his or her inclination. Hinduism offers choices.
