Sambodhi 2005 Vol 28

Author(s): Jitendra B Shah, K M Patel
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 29

Vol. XXVIII, 2005
ŚABARI EPISODE OF THE RĀMAKATHA :....
23
does not bother about pollution.
He again refutes the argument about the tasting of fruits indulging in hairsplitting discussion. With her hands she ate the fruits and then with the same hand she plucked the fruits. So those fruits also would be polluted. Sharan argues that are we to suppose that she carried water with her and everytime she tasted, went for washing her hands, and then plucked fruits. Sharan concludes that path of devotion is altogether different from the ways of the world and here, such mundane considerations do not count. And thus the debate gves on, rewording and reworlding the canon.
Now to wind up the discussion, let us take an example of the modern twentieth century epic in Kannada language Shri Ramayana Darshanam by K. V. Putappa Kuvempu, a literary feat by any standards. In this epic there is altogether a different world and a different word. The poet has dramatised the whole event.
Therein Sabarī indulges in monologue waiting for Rāma. I have awaited you
For ten long years, child, my hermitage yard . In full fruition awaits you to yield
Ripe luscious fruit on trees
I planted to receive you ?
The poet has steered himself clear out of controversy of tasted or untasted fruits, by making sabarī plant the trees which are in full fruition for Rāma. She is portrayed like a godmother. At first she could not recognise Rāma and Laksamana who also introduced themselves as wanderers.
Then she suspects them to be someone else. Then having sumptuous meal, Rāma has a siesta in the afternoon. Rāma in a dream blurts out the name of Sītā. Then Sabarī recognises Rāma. The treatment of the episode is delightful, and artistic and free from the earlier tensions of casteism.
Thus the Rāmakathā goes on flowing and thus the word and world go as rewording and reworlding themselves. Annotation : 1.44 a fafaj api riferi 4.90941
Tapet cu 4 pre 44 11 (3-70-13)