Ratnakara
Ratmakara was a highway robber and killer. One day he attacked the sage Narada. "Why are you doing this?" asked the sage. "For my family", replied Ratnakara. "Will they pay the price of your misdeeds?" asked Narada. "Yes,They will. After all, I am doing this for them.", said Ratnkara confidently. Narada requested Ratnakara to check with his wife and son if this was really true.
Ratnakara ran to his home and asked his wife and son if they would share the burden of his karmic debts. "No", said his wife. "Why should I?, My duty is to keep your household. Your duty is to provide for it. How you choose to provide for your family is your concern, not mine."
Ratnakara realized that ultimately a Jiva is responsible for his actions. He gave up his life as a criminal and became the author of the great epic Ramayana that chronicles the life of a Prince who lets his destiny, not his desires, to shape his life. He was later on known as Valmiki. Valmiki is also quoted contemporary of Rama. Rama met Valmiki during his period of exile and interacted with him. Valmiki gave shelter to Sita in his hermitage when Rama banished her.
Vishnudharmottara Purana says that Valmiki was born in the Treta Yuga as a form of Vishnu who composed Ramayana and that people desirious of earning knowledge should worhsip Valmiki.
An area in Chennai, Thiruvanmiyur derives it's names from Valmiki, Thiru-Valmiki-Oor. There is a temple for Valmiki located in this place, which is believed to be 1300 years old.
Ratmakara was a highway robber and killer. One day he attacked the sage Narada. "Why are you doing this?" asked the sage. "For my family", replied Ratnakara. "Will they pay the price of your misdeeds?" asked Narada. "Yes,They will. After all, I am doing this for them.", said Ratnkara confidently. Narada requested Ratnakara to check with his wife and son if this was really true.
Ratnakara ran to his home and asked his wife and son if they would share the burden of his karmic debts. "No", said his wife. "Why should I?, My duty is to keep your household. Your duty is to provide for it. How you choose to provide for your family is your concern, not mine."
Ratnakara realized that ultimately a Jiva is responsible for his actions. He gave up his life as a criminal and became the author of the great epic Ramayana that chronicles the life of a Prince who lets his destiny, not his desires, to shape his life. He was later on known as Valmiki. Valmiki is also quoted contemporary of Rama. Rama met Valmiki during his period of exile and interacted with him. Valmiki gave shelter to Sita in his hermitage when Rama banished her.
Vishnudharmottara Purana says that Valmiki was born in the Treta Yuga as a form of Vishnu who composed Ramayana and that people desirious of earning knowledge should worhsip Valmiki.
An area in Chennai, Thiruvanmiyur derives it's names from Valmiki, Thiru-Valmiki-Oor. There is a temple for Valmiki located in this place, which is believed to be 1300 years old.
Great work. Keep going :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a turn of events. One event that changed the entire outlook of his life.
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