Rishi Valmiki was one of the greatest sages of Bharat and lived an extra-ordinary life. He was the first poet and the author of the epic ‘Ramayan’. He was born to Rishi Prachetas and was named ‘Ratnakar’ by his parents. It is said that this little boy, Ratnakar went deep into the forest one day and got lost. His parents searched for him but they could not find him.
The boy was found by a hunter who adopted and raised him. In due course Ratnakar also became a fine and accomplished hunter. At the appropriate age, he got married to a girl from a hunter’s family. As time passed Ratnakar’s family expanded and he was now a father. Ratnakar couldn’t meet his family’s needs through hunting alone. A desperate family man, he started robbing and looting travellers who passed his area.
One day Narad muni was passing through the area. Ratnakar saw him and ran towards him with weapons with the intention of robbing him. Narad remained calm and said to Ratnakar ‘Why are you attacking me? What have I done to you?’ Ratnakar said, ‘Give me all your valuables now!’ Narad thought for a moment and then asked ‘Why are you doing this?’. Ratnakar spoke ‘I have to feed my family. I am doing this for them.’ Then Narada spoke, ‘Go and ask your family if they will accompany you and share the result of the sins you are committing for them. If they are ready to do it, I will give you all my valuables. I will wait right here till you come back.’
Ratnakar rushed home and asked his family. His wife said ‘We will not share the result of your misdeeds. If you are feeding us by robbing people, you are a criminal. I and our children will not share or be a party to the results of your bad deeds.’ Ratnakar was heart broken after hearing this. He realized that even though he performed the bad deeds to feed his family, he alone would have to face the consequences of his misdeeds. No one was going to come with him or help him either. He now felt ashamed of his behaviour and regretted doing all the misdeeds.
Crestfallen, Ratnakar returned to the spot where Narad muni was waiting for him. He narrated all that had happened. With folded hands, Ratnakar fell down on his knees sobbing and asked for forgiveness. He asked Narada to punish him for his crimes and also to guide him to the path of salvation.
After some time Narad muni spoke ‘O Ratnakar! All you need to do is chant ‘RAM’!’ Ratnakar tried chanting but he couldn’t say ‘RAM!’. Then Narad muni advised him to chant the name in opposite direction ‘MARA!’. Saying this, Narad muni left and continued on his journey.
Ratnakar started chanting ‘MARA’. He was determined to perform penance for all his misdeeds. Slowly he was able to chant the word ‘RAM’. Ratnakar kept meditating and sat still and unmoved, deep in meditation for many years. In the meantime, the ants built an anthill around him. He was covered by the anthill which became his home.
Then one day Narad muni arrived at the spot and he slowly cleared the anthill surrounding Ratnakar. Narad muni declared Ratnakar a sage. He then spoke ‘From now on, you will begin your new life with the name Valmiki, as you were reborn through a Val-Mik (Ant-Hill).’ (Anthill is called ‘Valmik’ in Sanskrit). Hearing this Ratnakar burst into tears. He seeked Narad muni’s blessings and proceeded to begin his new life as – Rishi Valmiki.
