Shabari's Hospitality - A painting of a man kneeling down to a man holding a bow

Rama and Laxman continue their search for Sita, moving southwards. An old woman Shabari, who had heard about the virtues and valour of Rama, was waiting to offer him berries, she collected from forest-shrubs. Rama received her gift cheerfully and blessed her. It is said that Shabari actually tasted each of the berries to make sure they were ripe and perfect for consumption by Rama.