Story of Shabri & Shri Rama

Shabri was queen in her previous life. She was doing service with the wealth. Once, she went Prayagraj and met several sages. She desired to meet pure sage and died in triveni sangam. In her next life, she was born in Bheel tribe.
 
Shabri was getting married. On the day of wedding, her father made huge preparations. A large number of goats were brought. They were to be cooked. Shabri thought, this violence would take place due to her. She decided to leave the house. She left the house in mid night.
 
She stayed on the bank Pampa River near Matang sage hermitage. The Matang sage used to kill one elephant in a year and devour on him whole of the year.  When other sages decried him; he said, they killed many animals in a year and he killed only one.
 
Shabri started cleaning the path of sages on which they came to take the bath in Pampa River. Matang sage asked about her caste. She told correctly. Matang sage thought that she is of low caste but not of low in deeds. He told her to stay in his hermitage. She was pure but people were criticizing sage saying that he has kept one Bheel girl. The sage initiated her in mantras of Shri Rama.
 
One day, Matang sage was in his last stage. Shabri was distressed. She asked him who would take her care. The sage said to her that she has been trained in Ram-mantras. She should keep trust. One day, Shri Rama would arrive in her residence. The day cannot be predicted but he has already appeared in Ajodhya.
 
Shabri collected berries & other fruits daily and waited Shri Rama whole day. In the evening she used to distribute the fruits among children of sages which were brought for Shri Rama. Her time passed in waiting and she turned old. But she was living in hope as the guru ji told her.
 
Shabri chanted Shri Rama mantras whole of the day and led a restraint life. When Shri Rama and Shri Laxmana arrived at Pampa River, the sages welcomed them and asked to visit their hermitages. Shri Rama said, first he would go to the hermitage of Shabri.
 
When Shri Rama & Shri Laxmana reached hermitage of Shabri, she was chanting Rama mantras. Shabri welcomed them and offered seat. She told Shri Rama that she is from low tribe but surrenders herself to him. Shri Rama told her that he understand devotion only and nothing else. Shabri brought berries and offered everybody after tasting. She forgot that she is offering half eaten fruits.
 
Shri Rama asked her, if she has any desire. Shabri asked Shri Rama to purify the Pampa River water. Once, one sage hit Shabri with his feet which polluted water of the River. Shri Rama told that it could be purified by Shabri only. Shabri was made to take bath in the River and water of Pampa River was purified. Shabri left for heaven after seeing Shri Rama.
 
Spiritual Significance:

1. Shabri teaches us trust in almighty.
2. The almighty reaches to the person who searches him.
3. Besides, Japa, Tapa, charity, visit to sacred places etc. grace of pure sage is also important for success of Bhakti. 

Source:
Shri Shrimad Bhagwat Rehsaya by Shri Ramchandra Keshav Dongra ji Maharaj