The Compassion of Lord Rama can transform the wicked, the unscrupulous into virtuous human beings. The story of Valmiki which has been told and retold during the years is a classic example of how Lord Rama ‘s divinity extends to all- to the Savage and the Saint. Valmiki who was called Ratnakkardah in his early life was a Dacoit who lived in a forest. He robbed people who crossed the forest.

He was brutal, even when people begged for Mercy he did not spare them. One day when Narada Muni was crossing the forest Valmiki accosted him. Valmiki could not rob Narada as he had nothing valuable with him. Narada was calm, he counselled Valmiki and made him realize that he was leading a life of sin. Narada persuaded Valmki to surrender to Lord Rama and give up his violent life.

Narada asked Valmiki to chant Lord Rama ‘s name to Redeem himself of his sins. Narada asked Valmiki to chant the name, “Rama “but Valmiki instead of chanting Rama he wrongly chanted Mara which means Devil or Death just the opposite of what Narada had taught him.

After years of Valmiki chanting “Mara” when Narada visited him one day in the forest he saw Valmiki chanting the name of the Devil – Mara Instead of Rama. Narada corrects Valmiki’s mistake. But the faith and sincerity with which Valmiki chanted the name “Mara” innocently thinking that he was actually chanting Lord Rama’s name overcame his mistake in pronunciation.

Valmiki’s desire for redemption was so intense that his mistake in the technique of chanting could not stop his spiritual journey to attain Moksha. Later Valmiki composed the Indian epic poem, “Ramayana” where he describes the birth of Rama,his marriage to Sita and his slaying of the demon king Ravana. Valmiki is revered as the Adi Kavi as he was the first poet and author of Ramayana which originally written by Valmiki consists of 24,000 shlokas and 7 Kandas.

Legends say that when Rama sent Sita to the forest she took refuge at sage Valmiki’s ashram where she gave birth to the twins Lava and Kusha. It was sage Valmiki who taught Lava and Kusha the Ramayana. Valmiki hails Lord Rama with the epithet, “Bhuta Hite Rataha”-which praises Lord Rama for his concern and care for the wellbeing of the entire creation and the universe.

The Valmiki Samaj refers to a community which claims to be the descendants of the legendary author of Ramayan – Valmiki. Every year on Ram Navami day the Valmiki Samaj in Matunga- Mumbai brings out a Palki of Valmiki offering free food to all the devotees.

–Indira Satyanarayan