In the tranquil groves near Lake Pampā, the air was alive with the exuberant cries of young elephants at play. These were the elephants belonging to the ascetics of Matanga’s hermitage, their voices echoing through the forest. The mighty creatures, their dark forms as swift and imposing as thunderclouds, gathered together, their bodies streaked with rivulets of blood from their playful tussles. After quenching their thirst with the pure, fragrant, and cool waters of Pampā—water so clear and delightful to the touch—the elephants were fully satisfied. Content, they wandered the woods, mingling peacefully with bears and tigers whose blue-tinged fur glimmered softly in the dappled light. The forest teemed with life: antelopes darted among the trees, wild boars foraged, and fearless deer grazed, their presence a balm to any sorrowful heart. Upon the mountain, a vast and wondrous cave adorned its slopes, difficult to enter and shrouded by great rocks. At the cave’s eastern mouth lay a splendid pool of cold, clear water, surrounded by a profusion of roots, fruits, and many kinds of trees. This was the dwelling place of the righteous Sugrīva and his band of monkeys. Sometimes, upon the mountain’s summit, the formidable Kabandha would appear, instructing both Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa. Wreathed in garlands and radiant as the sun, Kabandha shone in the sky, his mighty form visible to the brothers. As he hovered nearby, Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa addressed him, urging him to proceed on his way. Kabandha, well pleased, received their permission and departed, his true and resplendent form aglow as he rose into the heavens, calling out to Rāma, “Make friendship!” Thus, guided by Kabandha’s words, Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa—sons of the noble king—set out westward through the forest near Lake Pampā. As they journeyed, they beheld mountains adorned with honey, blossoming flowers, and trees heavy with fruit, all the while seeking the exiled Sugrīva. They made their camp upon a gentle mountainside and soon approached the western shore of the beautiful Pampā lake. There, on the western bank, they discovered the hermitage of Śabarī, nestled among many trees and radiating a serene beauty. As they gazed upon this sacred place, they entered and were greeted by Śabarī herself, an accomplished and elderly ascetic. Rising to meet them, she joined her palms in reverence and touched the feet of Rāma and wise Lakṣmaṇa. With devotion, she offered water for washing and sipping, observing all the proper rites of hospitality. Rāma, addressing her gently, inquired after her well-being: “Are your obstacles overcome? Is your austerity increasing? Is your anger restrained, and your food regulated, O possessor of ascetic wealth? Are your vows maintained? Is your mind at peace? Has your service to your teachers borne fruit, O gentle one?” Śabarī, honored among ascetics, replied with serene joy: “Today, by seeing you, I have attained the fruit of my austerities; today my birth is fulfilled and my teachers are truly honored. My practiced austerity has borne fruit, and I shall attain heaven, for you, Rāma, best of men and god among men, have been worshipped here. By your gracious glance, I am purified; by your favor, I shall reach the eternal worlds.” She continued, “When you arrived at Citrakūṭa in your radiant chariot, I ascended to heaven, having served you. My teachers, knowers of righteousness, told me: ‘Rāma will come to your supremely holy hermitage. Welcome him as a guest, together with Saumitri; and having seen him, you will attain the highest, eternal worlds.’ Thus instructed, I have gathered many forest offerings for you, O tiger among men, born on the banks of Pampā.” Rāma, recognizing her deep devotion, asked Śabarī about the true power of the great souls who had come from the lineage of Danu, for she knew their story well. “I have heard of it,” he said, “but I wish to see it directly, if you permit.” Śabarī then guided Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa through the sacred forest. “Behold,” she said, “this is the forest of Mataṅga, dense as a rain cloud, teeming with beasts and birds. Here, my noble-minded teachers of great splendor performed sacrifices, building a sacred altar and worshipping with mantras. This is the altar facing east, where my revered teachers, their hands trembling with effort, offered flowers in tribute. By the power of their austerity, the altar still shines with incomparable brilliance, illuminating all directions.” She showed them further wonders: “Exhausted by fasting, my teachers summoned the seven seas, and the waters gathered here—see them. After their ritual baths, they placed their bark garments on these trees; even now, they have not dried. The flowers they offered, together with blue lotuses, remain fresh and unwithered, though these acts were performed long ago for the gods.” Having shown Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa the entire forest and recounted its sacred history, Śabarī, her heart full and her purpose fulfilled, humbly asked for their permission to relinquish her body and depart for the eternal worlds.