Maharishi Valmiki

Introduction

Maharishi Valmiki is the Adikavi (first poet) of Indian literature and culture. He composed the Ramayana in Sanskrit, considered the world’s first epic poem. The Ramayana narrates the life and deeds of Lord Rama. The Valmiki Ramayana contains approximately 24,000 verses divided into seven Kandas (books). He is also regarded as the originator of the shloka meter in Sanskrit poetry.

Life

Many legends surround the birth and early life of Maharishi Valmiki. According to a famous legend, he was formerly a highway robber named Ratnakar who sustained his family by looting travelers. Once, the sage Narada appeared before him and asked whether his family would share in his sins. When Ratnakar asked his family members, they all refused. This event transformed his heart.

Narada instructed him to chant the name of Rama. Ratnakar performed such deep penance that termites (valmik) built their mound over his body. Upon completing his penance, he came to be known as Valmiki. Lord Brahma, pleased with his devotion, inspired him to compose the Ramayana.

It is said that once, on the banks of the river Tamasa, he witnessed a hunter kill the male of a pair of Krauncha birds. Moved by the grief of the female bird, a verse spontaneously escaped his lips — “Ma Nishada Pratistham Tvamagamah Shashvatih Samah” — considered the first shloka in Sanskrit. This earned him the title of Adikavi (the first poet), for his grief (shoka) gave birth to verse (shloka).

During the time of the Ramayana, when Mother Sita was exiled to the forest, she took refuge in Valmiki’s ashram, where Lava and Kusha were born. Valmiki educated both children and taught them to recite the Ramayana.

Major Works

• Valmiki Ramayana — The Sanskrit epic, the world’s first poem. Approximately 24,000 verses across seven Kandas (Balkand, Ayodhyakand, Aranyakand, Kishkindhakand, Sundarkand, Yuddhakand, Uttarkand). It describes the life of Lord Rama, his ideals, and the establishment of Dharma.
• Yoga Vasistha — Valmiki is sometimes credited as the author of this text, which contains the spiritual teachings given by sage Vasishtha to Lord Rama.

Teachings

• Transformation is possible — The story of the robber Ratnakar becoming Maharishi Valmiki teaches that anyone can transform their life through sincere effort and penance.
• Compassion is the mother of poetry — The compassion born from witnessing the Krauncha bird’s killing gave birth to the first verse. Grief (shoka) gave rise to verse (shloka).
• Dharma and propriety — Through Maryada Purushottam Rama, the Ramayana establishes the ideals of righteousness, duty, and truth.
• The power of chanting the divine name — Ratnakar was redeemed solely through the chanting of Rama’s name. Naam smaran (remembrance of the divine name) is the simplest and most powerful spiritual practice.
• Respect for women — By giving shelter to Sita, Valmiki set an example of honoring and protecting women.