Life History of Valmiki
Valmiki is an ancient Indian sage traditionally regarded as the author of the Ramayana, one of the two great Sanskrit epics of India. His life story is a blend of history, legend, and mythology. Here’s an overview of his life history as traditionally understood:
Early Life
- Birth Name: According to legend, Valmiki was born as Ratnakara.
- Caste/Background: He was born into a Brahmin family, though some versions suggest he later fell into a life of crime.
- Life as a Robber: Ratnakara became a highway robber to support his family. He used to rob travelers in the forest and lived a sinful life.
Transformation
- One day, he attempted to rob the sage Narada Muni. Narada calmly questioned him: would his family share the burden of his sins?
- When Ratnakara asked his family, they refused, saying sins are personal.
- This deeply impacted him. Realizing the consequences of his actions, he repented.
- Narada advised him to chant the name of Rama, but as he was too sinful to say it directly, Narada told him to repeat “Mara” (meaning “kill”), which when chanted continuously became “Rama”.
Meditation and Rebirth as Valmiki
- Ratnakara entered into a deep meditation and chanted for years.
- Termites built an anthill (Valmika) around him during this time, hence he was named Valmiki, meaning “one born out of an anthill”.
Valmiki as a Sage
- He became a rishi (sage) and established a hermitage (ashram), where he taught his disciples.
- He composed the Ramayana, the first Sanskrit epic, and is thus called the Adi Kavi (First Poet).
- The Ramayana is written in 24,000 shlokas and divided into seven kandas (books).
Role in the Ramayana
- Valmiki appears within the Ramayana itself.
- He gave refuge to Sita, wife of Rama, when she was exiled.
- Sita gave birth to Lava and Kusha in Valmiki’s ashram.
- Valmiki taught the Ramayana to Lava and Kusha, who later sang it in Rama’s court, leading to a reunion.
Legacy
- Valmiki’s Ramayana has had a profound influence on Indian culture, religion, and literature.
- He is worshipped and respected as a sage and poet across India.
- In many places, Valmiki is considered a divine figure, and there are temples dedicated to him.