West or South?

In search of mother Sitha, Sri Ramachandra was traveling towards the south (Lanka). However, He chose to take a detour and stepped towards the west, visited a worthy place in the direction, and resumed towards the south.

What made Rama take a detour despite His longing for Sitha De:vi?

sudu:ramapi ganthavyam yathra bha:gavatha:ha sthitha:ha
prayathne:na:pi drastavya:ha thathra sannihithou harihi
it is recommended that one must visit places jna:nis and bhakthas have spent time, even if it requires taking an extra step or making additional efforts because they are dear to God and they are regarded as moving mandirs of God.

Rama heard that there was a great sage named Mathanga Muni towards the west of Pampa river. Thus, He visited the maharshi’s a:shram. The sage’s disciple’s disciple named Sabari was waiting for His arrival for 13 years!

Why was she waiting for so long?

Sabari was following the instruction set forth by her acharya to serve Sri Ramachandra. While she was implementing her acharya’s instruction Rama was happy to listen to the glory of her guru from her. She heartfully explained every detail such as where her guru performed prayers, where he got the flowers from for his daily prayers, what prayers he would do and routine chores such as where he dried his clothes etc. After going through everything that she wanted to, she asked Rama to give her an evidence/certificate showing that she had completed what she was instructed to do.

What evidence/certificate did Rama give her?

Sri Ramachandra wrote on a leaf with natural ink…

pu:jithaha
have been worshipped
She questioned who had been worshipped.

pu:jithaha ra:maha
Rama has been worshipped
She questioned which Rama had been worshipped.

pu:jithaha ra:maha dasara:thathmajaha
Rama, Dasaratha’s son has been worshipped
She questioned who had worshipped Rama.

Sabarya: pu:jithaha ra:maha dasara:thathmajaha
Rama, Dasaratha’s son has been worshipped by Sabari
She questioned if the worship was satisfactory.

Sabarya: pu:jithaha samyak ra:maha dasara:thathmajaha
Rama, Dasaratha’s son has been worshipped by Sabari in full satisfaction
She bowed to the lotus feet of Rama and left for her acharya:s abode!

Such was Sabari’s acharya nishta, the dedication and belief towards acharya…
Rama visited Mathanga Muni’s ashram to listen to acharya vaibhava from such a true disciple! Such experience will seed virtues in you. Such experience will strengthen the existing virtues in you.

West, south, or out of route, one should make efforts to visit great people’s places and experience the sanctity. One must pray that the sanctity and glory of the place reach to the corners of the world and to the hearts of the seekers!

– From the discourse of HH Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji
– Sri Rajyalakshmi Rukmini sametha Venugopala Swami temple
– Pudiwada, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh