Published on: October 20, 2021

MAHARSHI VALMIKI

MAHARSHI VALMIKI

What is in news : Valmiki Jayanti celebrated

About :

  • Considered as the Adi Kavi
  • First poet of the Sanskrit language
  • Great sage and author of the epic Ramayana.
  • Celebrated on Ashwin Purnima as per the Hindu lunar calendar.
  • Also known as Pragat Diwas
  • Was a contemporary of Lord Sri Rama
  • Lord Rama met Valmiki during his period of exile and interacted with him.
  • Valmiki provided shelter to Devi Sita in his hermitage when Lord Rama banished her. In his hermitage, Kusha and Luv, the twin sons of Lord Rama were born.
  • Valmiki taught Ramayana to both twins.
  • In his early life, Maharishi Valmiki was a highway dacoit whose name was Ratnakar. He used to rob people after killing them. It is said that Sage Narad Muni transformed Ratnakar and became a great devotee of Lord Rama.
  • Narad Muni advised Ratnakar to perform great penance by reciting the Mantra of Rama Nama.