Valmiki Jayanthi 2013

The birth anniversary of the great sage Maharishi Valmiki who authored the epic Ramayana is celebrated as Valmiki jayanti. It falls on the full moon day of the Ashwin month according to the Hindu calendar.

In 2013 Valmiki jayanti is on Friday October 18.

Valmiki is also known as Adi Kavi or the first poet because it was he who composed the first verse or Hindu sloka which set the foundation for Sanskrit poetry. The story of Lord Rama written by him is called Valmiki’s Ramayana and is the first epic of Sanskrit literature. Ramayana is also the first kavya.

Saint Valmiki was one of the most popular sage of ancient times. He he is well known for his contributions in ancient literatures. The epic scripture, Ramayana was composed by him. This is the reason that the original Ramayana is popularly known as Valmiki’s Ramayana by people around the world. Ramayana is based on the life story of Lord Rama and related incidents, that depict various duties and responsibilities of a human towards life.

Saint Valmiki is well known as a composer of Ramayana. Sage kashyap had a son named, Varun/Aditya. Once Varun was sitting under a tree in a deep meditation. Soon, an anthill grew around him. After a long penance, a divine light came upon him and said that he was free from all sins, and that he was to be called "Valmiki" from then

Maharshi Valmiki : The legend

Valmiki was born to a Brahmin family and was named Ratnakara. At a very small age he got lost and was brought up by a family of hunters. Later on he became an unnamed robber who used to rob people for a living. One day when he ran into Shri Narada Muni and tried to rob him. But when Narada muni asked whether his family was also a part of his sin and when they refused to be part of it he realised his mistake and begged Narada muni for divine mercy. That is when Narda Muni asked him to chant Lord Rama’a name. He was so immersed in chanting that ant hill or Valmika grew around his body during his poised state of penance. Pleased by his dedication Ratnakara was bestowed with honour of Brahmarshi and he got the name Valmiki.

How Ramayana Was Written

After Narada Muni recited the entire story of Ramayana, immersed in the story Valmiki left to take bath in Ganges. On his sway he came across a stream named tamsa. When he was looking for a suitable place to take bath he saw two happy birds. As he looked one bird was hit by an arrow which was shot by a hunter. The other bird’s agony melted his heart and he spontaneously uttered a curse which came in the form of a sloka and thus he turned into a poet.

The male bird dies that leaves the female bird shattered and upset. Listening to the rhythmic sound of the female bird, Valmiki realized his ability to create rhythmic verses. He started singing the shlok, “ Ma Nishad Pratishtha Twamgam Shashvati Samah | Yatkronchamithunadekam Avadhi Kammohittam ||, which became the base of Ramayana.

This is the first sloka that was created. Then with blessings lord Brahma he wrote the Ramayana in slokas. Another fact is that Valmiki was a contemporary of lord Rama. It was Valmiki who received the banished Sita to his hermitage and he also taught the slokas to Luva and Kusa the sons of lord Rama.

Why Valmiki Jayanti is Celebrated?

Saint Valmiki Jayanti is celebrated with zeal and fervor around the nation every year. Special pilgrimages are organized on this day. Devotees can be seen reciting Ramayan with affection, and respect. Ramayan depicts the feelings of sacrifice, love, success and penance. Valmiki aimed at enlightening the minds of people through his composition.

On this day, the Valmiki temples are decorated beautifully. Devotees visit the temples and take part in religious and spiritual activities. Enthusiastic young people can be seen dancing and yelling in front of the jhanki carried in devotion of Lord Rama.

In order to honour his unparalleled contribution in the form timeless epic Ramayana, Valmiki’s birth anniversary is celebrated as Valmiki jayanti. The day also holds great significance in the north and is called pragat diwas. This day is to remember a great saint who rose above his limitations and through his teachings encouraged people to stand against social injustice and to remember a man who personifies benevolence and penance.