SAGE VALMIKI – STORY
Sage Valmiki is said to be in the lineage of Sage Brighu.
By chance he had to live with then hunters in the forest.
So, he became a seasoned hunter and robber.
However, he was initiated into enlightenment by a great sage Narada in a unique manner.
Valmiki once waylaid the sage Narada in the forest.
Narada tried his best to stop the hunter from robbing.
But, Valmiki justified that it is his means for livelihood.
Sage Narada said:
“Your family members enjoyed all the benefits given by you. But, just ckeck with your family members whether they are ready to share the sins you acquire by robbery.”
Valmiki went to his family and asked everyone whether he/she will share the sins he acquired by him.
All of them refused to share his sins.
Then, Valmiki realized that committing sins to satisfy his loved ones is useless and ignorance.
Then, he accepted Sage Narada as his guru and requests him to guide him in life.
Since he was illiterate and not aware of any form of worship, Narada told him to to meditate on the name MARA because it was the familiar term for that hunter.
Narada thought that the hunter would find it easy to meditate the name MARA repeatedly.
Why Narada told him to chant/ meditate MARA?
If he tells him to meditate as RAMA, the hunter may think it a new name for him to meditate.
Narada knew if the hunter repeatedly utters MARA, it will become RAMA.
The hunter began his penance of meditating as MARA MARA MARA with single mind.
He did not even realize an anthil (muddy coat on him) had grown over him.
Finally, he emerged from that anthil that gave him the name VALMIKI.
He is honoured as ADI KAVI (Poetic source) as he was chosen to compose the Ramayana with the grace of Brahma.
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