Welcome Lykkers! Have you heard about the fabulous poet Maharishi Valmiki? He has been recognized as Ādi Kavi, the first poet, and the original author of the epic Ramayana, the story of Lord Rama!

The Ramayana consists of 24,000 shlokas( a 32-syllable verse) and seven cantos( kandas). Today, let's step into the world of this grand poet!

Birth of Valmiki

There's a major disagreement among people related to Maharishi's life. One belief is that Valmiki was born as Agni Sharma to a Brahmin named Pracheta( also known as Sumali) of Bhrigu Gotra. According to legend he formerly met the great savant Narada and had a converse with him on his duties.

Moved by Narada's words, Agni Sharma began to perform penance and chanted the word "Mara" which meant "die". As he performed his penance several times, the word became" Rama"( the name of the god Vishnu).

According to the Nagara Khanda of the Skanda Purana, in the section about the creation of Mukhara Tirtha, it is believed that Valmiki was born a Brahmin named Lohajangha. He was a devoted son to his parents and married a beautiful woman, with whom he shared a faithful and loving relationship.

One day, Lohajangha tried to steal from a group of seven pandits called Saptarishi. But realizing the situation of Lohajangha, one of the Saptarishi, Pulatsya Rishi, provides him a mantra. Reciting the mantra while performing intense austerity for years, his entire body got covered by an ant hill or valmika, earning him the name Valmiki.

Works of Maharishi Valmiki

One of Valmiki Rishi's greatest achievements is writing the Adi Kavya (the first poem) in Sanskrit history—the Ramayana. This epic consists of seven cantos and 24,000 shlokas, detailing every important moment of Lord Rama's life: from his birth and education to his marriage to Devi Sita and his 14-year exile in the forest. The story reaches its climax with the conflict between Ravana's forces and Rama's army of Vanaras (monkey warriors) after Ravana kidnaps Devi Sita.

He wrote many Shlokas and there is a story relevant to his first Shloka. After a hunter killed a mating bird couple along the Tamasa brook, Maharishi Valmiki was so distraught and angry that he wrote such a Shloka in Sanskrit literature:

Maharishi Valmiki's Teachings

Maharishi gave us the following guidance on how to pursue the right path of Dharma and Karma through the Ramayana:

1. Always tell the truth. The truth will prevail regardless of how strong the evil is.

2. Strength lies in unity. Similar to Rama's family, they overcame difficulties because, despite their separation, their hearts were united.

3. Be devoted to your work.

4. Adhere to the moral way.

5. Treat others with kindness and respect.

6. Recognize and treat all living things equally.

7. Avoid doing business or interacting with unpleasant people.

8. The secret to harmony and serenity is forgiveness.

9. Not everything that sparkles is made of gold.

Respect to Maharishi Valmiki

With numerous mandirs (temples) devoted to him, the Balmiki sect honors Valmiki, also known as Lal Beg or Bala Shah, as a patron saint.

Tiruvanmiyur, a neighborhood in Chennai, is thought to have been named after Sage Valmiki, Thiru-Valmiki-Oor. This location is home to a temple dedicated to Valmiki that is thought to be 1300 years old.

Maharishi Valmiki's works have left a lasting impact on the arts and cultures across Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent. Writers and poets from diverse backgrounds have translated Valmiki's Ramayana into their own languages, making it accessible to a wider audience. He truly stands out as a monumental figure in Indian literature!