This blogpost elucidates on the life and contributions of Sage Valmiki.
EARLY LIFE
Born in the Treta Yug
Valmiki was born to a brahmin family in the treta yug. He was born to Pracheta and named Ratnakara. He is known to have gotten lost in the woods during his childhood and gained excellency in hunting. Due to certain circumstances he started robbing. During his time as a robber, he bumped into a Narad Muni who changed his life and perspective towards how to lead a life. His meeting with the saptarishis also changed the course of his life and inspired him to turn into the great sage who authored the epic, Ramayan.
According to Indian mythology, Narad Muni answered several of his questions and advised him to meditate and chant the word, Ram for years as penance. He followed his advice and managed to impress the god and got blessed with the reputation of a Maharishi.
LIFE EVENTS AND CONTRIBUTION TO SOCIETY
The Maharishi who wrote Ramayan and advised Yudhishtir
The most important contribution that one associates with Valmiki is the Ramayan. According to a popular version of mythology, Lord Brahma advised and inspired him to write Ramayan. It is said that Valmiki had a vision of Lord Brahma asking him to write the epic in the form of beautiful shlokas. In fact the first shloka that came out of Valmiki was a cry of grief due to him witnessing a couple of cranes dying due to an arrow shot by a hunter. The shloka came out in Sanskrit language as a cry of shock and agony he experienced by witnessing the painful sight.
He played an important part in the epic of Mahabharat as well by advising Yudhistir to worship Lord Shiva after the war to cleanse himself of the sins committed during the war.
LIFE AFTER MAJOR EVENTS
Worshipped as Lal Beg
Due to the immense and knowledgeable contributions of Valmiki to India’s literature, he is worshipped in some parts of India. A particular section considers him a reincarnation of a god. He is worshipped at various temples in Chennai and Rajasthan as Bala Shah or Lal Beg. His birthday is also celebrated as Balmiki Jayanti in many parts of India.
BOOKS PUBLISHED
Author of Yoga Vasistha
Aside from the famous epic of Ramayan, he is also known to have authored one of the most famous works in Indian mythology, Yoga Vasistha. It celebrates and describes the discourse of Sage Vasistha.
The Maharishi who was a part and author of Ramayan
One of the most fascinating facts about Sage Valmiki is that he authored the epic of Ramayan and also played an important role in the story. In Uttarkand, when Sita was asked to leave the palace and live in the forest, she takes shelter in the ashram Sage Valmiki. It is during her stay at the ashram, Sita gave birth to her two sons Luv and Kush. The two boys became the disciples of Sage Valmiki and learnt Ramayan. The role played by Valmiki goes beyond the role of just an author of the epic. He played an important role in inspiring the generations to come about the transformation one can go through if they are inspired to change their life and follow the path of dharma.
To read more about such holy souls who have inspired us through the ages, keep reading blog posts on Sameedh.
