Shloka 3.74.7
शबरी-आश्रम-प्रवेशः (Rama and Lakshmana at Sabari’s Hermitage)
पाद्यमाचमनीयं च सर्वं प्रादाद्यथाविधि।तामुवाच ततो रामश्श्रमणीं संशितव्रताम्।।।।
anujñātā tu rāmeṇa hutvātmānaṃ hutāśane | jvalatpāvakasaṅkāśā svargam eva jagāma sā ||
Permitted by Rāma, she offered herself into the sacred fire; radiant like a blazing flame, she indeed went to heaven.
She offered them water to wash their feet and water to sip as per tradition. Then Rama spoke to Sabari who used to perform austere penance:
Dharma is alignment of action with rightful sanction and purity: Śabarī acts only after receiving Rāma’s permission, showing that even renunciation should be guided by propriety and truthfulness, not impulse.
Śabarī, with Rāma’s consent, enters the fire and attains a heavenly state, depicted as radiant transformation.
Śabarī’s disciplined obedience and unwavering devotion; Rāma’s compassionate authority in granting permission.