Valmiki Jayanti
Valmiki Jayanti
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Valmiki Jayanti is that the celebration of the birth anniversary of the good author and sage, Maharishi Valmiki. As per the normal Hindu calendar, Valmiki Jayanti is widely known on Purnima (full moon Day) within the month of Ashwin. Maharishi Valmiki is that the author of the great Hindu epic Ramayana and also revered due to the ‘Aadi Kavi’ or the first poet of Sanskrit literature. Ramayana, depicting the story of Lord Ram was first written by him in Sanskrit language and consists of 24,000 verses that are divided into 7 ‘Kandas’. Valmiki Jayanti is observed in honor of this acclaimed saint. today is widely known with dedication within the northern regions of India and is additionally referred to as ‘Pragat Diwas’.
Significance of Valmiki Jayanti:
The day of Valmiki Jayanti holds great religious significance in Hinduism because it celebrates the unparalleled contribution of Maharishi Valmiki. He has authored some incredible works that have Ramayana and several other Puranas. The celebration of Valmiki Jayanti may be a tribute to an excellent saint who conquered his limitations and thru the medium of his teachings encouraged the masses to fight against social justice. He propagated the values of Lord Ram and recognized Him as an individual of penance and benevolence.
LEGENDS OF MAHARISHI VALMIKI
1) Birth and Later Asceticism: - Maharishi Valmiki was the descendant of sage Bhrigu – one among the foremost revered seven sages (saptarishis) created by Lord Brahma. He was born during a Brahmin family, to a Brahmin named Pracheta and his wife Charshadi. Legend has it that when Agni Sharma had an encounter with Narad Muni and had a debate with him over religious, spiritual issues and therefore the duties to be performed during a lifetime. Agni Sharma was so influenced by the conversation, that he reportedly gave up all his materialistic possessions and commenced performing penance, by reciting the word “mara”.
His continuous recitation of “mara” had him, unknowingly pronouncing the word “Rama” which is another name of Lord Vishnu. (Lord Rama is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu). Maharishi was so engrossed in his meditation that massive ant hills were formed surrounding him. Valmiki means an anthill, therefore, the sage Agni Sharma was mentioned as Valmiki by the people.
2) A Dacoit Who Transformed To a Sage: - Another legend has it that when Valmiki was a teenage child, he was abducted by a childless Bhil woman who gave him the name “Ratnakar”. Bhil is an indigenous tribe belonging to central and western India. The Bhil community survived on hunting and killing animals and birds. Later in life, Ratnakar became a roadside robber; confronting and robbing or maybe sometimes killing the unsuspecting travelers.
Incidentally, at some point, Ratnakar caught hold of Narad Muni, who was passing through the road. When Narad asked him why he was doing such a wrongful act; Ratnakar replied that he was doing it to sustain his family. Upon which Narad reportedly told him that he will give all his money if Ratnakar’s relations comply with bear the fruits of his misdeeds.
Confused yet confident that his family and friends would readily comply with carrying the burden of his wrongdoings, Ratnakar asked them if they might. To his surprise, they refused. Heartbroken and in disgust, he returned to Narad, seeking his advice. Narad muni told him to supply up his wrong profession and lead a spiritual life reciting the name “Rama”.
However, Ratnakar wasn't able to pronounce “Rama”, upon which Narad told him to pronounce “mara” instead. Pronouncing “mara” during a series had automatically led to the pronunciation of “Rama”. Thus, the dacoit Ratnakar became Maharishi Valmiki, through reciting Rama and observing penance.
3) Valmiki and therefore the Cruel Hunter: - Another legend has it that when Valmiki was going to the river Ganga for his daily cleansing, amid a devotee named Bharadwaja carrying his clothes. The duo came to pass river Tamasa, which can be a tributary of Ganges, flowing through the fashionable day Indian states of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.
Looking at the clean water of Tamasha, Valmiki expressed his desire to wash within the river. even as he was trying to find an appropriate place to enter the river, he spotted a crane couple in courtship. Before he could admire the sweetness of the birds and be pleased by their love; suddenly an arrow came out of nowhere killing the male bird instantly, while its mate died of shock. Shocked and deeply saddened by the turn of events, Valmiki looked around for the perpetrator.
He spotted a hunter with bow and arrow and instantly composed a Sanskrit verse cursing Orion with eternal unrest, for killing a bird crazy, that too unsuspectingly. Thus, the first-ever shloka (verse) in Sanskrit literature was composed by Valmiki during a fit of rage and grief.
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4) Valmiki and Ramayana: - Valmiki had met Lord Rama during the latter’s exile and came to understand about his life’s incidents. Later when Sita was banished by Lord Rama upon questions of her piousness, she reportedly was given shelter by Maharishi Valmiki in his hermitage.
Sita also gave birth to Rama’s twin sons Luv and Kush there. Rama’s sons were taught Ramayana by Maharishi Valmiki, who had composed it after knowing the entire story of Rama’s life incidents. Luv and Kush later sang the story during Ashwamedha Yagna congregation in Ayodhya. Upon recognizing the story Rama knew that they were his sons.
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