Valmiki was the first poet who authored the epic Ramayana which contains 24000 shlokas and 7 cantos including Uttara Kanda. He lived in Treta Yuga. He was also considered 'Adi Kavi' which means the first poet of the Sanskrit language. The sage who composed Ramayan, under the inspiration of Lord Brahma and Brahmarshi Narad. Guru of Lava and Kusha (son of Lord Rama).

Maharshi Valmiki

Ever thought about who was Valmiki before turning to Rishi?

A man called Ratnakar used to steal and serve his family. He took part in many terrible loots from his nearby village. Once Narad Muni passed by the forest, Ratnakar stopped him and tried to rob him. Narad Muni asked Ratnakar, Why do you do this job? to which Ratnakar replied that to raise his family.    

Naradji says are your wife, son, and parents with you in this sin? upon this Ratnakar says "yes why not they are with me". Naradji says let's make your family members judge and ask them whether they share those sins.

Ratnakar went home asking his wife, son, and parents whether they will be part of his sin ?. On this his wife uttered words, "I will be part of your joy and sorrows, not your sins". He was shocked to hear her answer. Afterward, he returned to Narad Muni who said if your parents and wife do not want to be part of your sin, then why are committing this sin for them? 

Ratnakar felt alone, he grabbed Narad Muni's feet. Naradji guided him to the knowledge of the truth.

Naradji taught him to chant Ram-Nam. However Ratnakar was unable to pronounce Rama's name, therefore Narad Muni instructed him to chant "Mara-Mara", and soon he recited Lord Rama's name. Years passed but Ratnakar was still meditating and reciting Ram-Nam. Anthill was created upon Ratnakar. 

One day Naradji was passing by the way and cleared the anthill (a nest in the form of a mound built by ants). With a smile on his face, Naradji declared Ratnakar a sage, from now you will be called Valmiki (reborn from anthill). With tears of happiness, the sage Valmiki started his new life near the Ganga river.

The dacoit in this story gave up his existing world and created his own new world again which we call Ramayana. History says that Ratnakar, the dacoit of the past later on became Valmiki, the creator of the saga of Ramayana. 

This was the story of how Ratnakar, became Sage Valmiki from a Dacoit (hunter).

Valmiki had a great power of thinking. He had a different perception to look towards the world. Sage Valmiki stressed positive thinking. For him, service and human dignity are at the top.

Valmiki's words are rays of hope for millions of poor Dalits, they instill a sense of hope and belief in them. 

According to him if a person has willpower then he can accomplish any task easily. It is willpower that gives the strength to many youths to accomplish extraordinary tasks.

Valmiki Jayanti is celebrated on a full moon night or Purnima of Ashvin month.

We will be always grateful to sage Valmiki for writing such a great scripture like Ramayana, which will be a guide for the younger ones.  

At last from his teachings, we can conclude that,

Chanting reversely Rama's name dacoit Ratnakar turned into Valmiki Maharshi who wrote the epic "Ramayana".

Happy Valmiki Jayanti