Rishi Valmik Ji

Rishi Valmik Ji- Translated from Sri Gur Bhagat Mala Steek by Pandit Narain Ji

A great Rishi (inspired poet of the Vedas) was born on Puranmashi (full moon) in the month of Assu (mid September to mid October) in Treta Yuga. He was born into a very good family. Since his early life, he was a great devotee. As he was born in a royal family, he was also skilled in martial arts and weaponry.

It was mentioned in many scriptures that he used to go to the jungle and meditate for many years. He meditated as such for many years, until termites started to build its home on his body. In Sanskrit, the home of termites is known as Valmik. When he came out from his meditation and got up from the dirt that covered his body, everyone started calling him Valmiki. His name as a child was different but that name no one knows now.

In Hindustan, he was the top scholar of Sanskrit. He was accepted as the first incarnation of Brahma. Due to his intense meditation, he could tap into the past and future. He knew everything. He had already attained knowledge on the life of Sri Ram Chandar Ji. Hence, he wrote Ramayana, the scripture about the life of Sri Ram Chandar Ji, in Sanskrit. The other Ramayana written was based on this scripture by Rishi Ji.

Once he had obtained full wisdom of Ramayana, he called his servant, and reached the bank of Tasma River. This was his first time at this beautiful river. He kept walking, and then he sat down by the river. The riverbank was very beautiful and green. He was very happy. He took a bath in the river. While bathing in the river, he reached the other side of the river where under a tree, two Brahminy Ducks, a male and a female was fondling each other lovingly. The ducks looked very happy. Rishi Ji was looking at the ducks, when suddenly a hunter came into the scene. He killed the male duck. The female duck was saddened and started wailing. Upon witnessing this, Rishi Ji got into rage. He recited a verse in Sanskrit, that meant, ‘Oh hunter, because you have killed the ducks, for this you will die fast, and your wife shall suffer as the female duck did.’

After this incident, he was pondering on why he said such words, but when he recalled the verse, he was pleased. He repeatedly sang the verse. He told his servant to memorize this verse. The servant did as told.

Rishi Ji couldn’t take his mind off from the event that took place. The scene kept on playing before his eyes, and with a saddened heart, he walked back to his ashram.

Even at the ashram, he kept reciting the verse. He made up his mind to write Ramayana in this style of verse (salokas). Rishi Ji started writing Ramayana in salokas (verses).

He wrote in-depth verses, with deep thoughts and hidden meanings. He started gaining wisdom and secrets of law of grammar and style of poetry. When he entered deep meditation and looked within, he could see and follow all the characters from Ramayana, such as Ram Chandar Ji, Sita, Lachman and more. It was to the extent that Rishi Ji could hear and see Ram Chandar Ji laughing, speaking, smiling and playing. He could recall all the events that took place in Ram Chandar Ji’s life.

Rishi Ji then got his servants to bring papers and he started writing Ramayana which was divided into of 7 chapters, 745 sargam (key notes), 24000 salokas (verses).

Rishi Ji had just completed the main section of Ramayana, when Sita Ji came to his ashram due to banishment from Ram Chandar Ji.  Rishi Ji told the servants to serve Sita Ji with full respect. After some time, Sita Ji gave birth to two sons, their names were Kush and Luv. Rishi Ji gave a lot of attention to the upbringing of the children. Rishi Ji started teaching then when they were young. Together with Sanskrit, Rishi Ji taught them music and martial arts. He also taught them Ramayana.

Their sweet voices heightened the standard of poetry. When they sang, the listeners would be so pleased, and some would even feel detachment from the world. Little droplets of tears made up of faith, sympathy, and pure devotion would fall from their eyes. Every man and woman would follow them while singing their praises. Luv and Kush were not just singing poetry but they were also spreading a new message. Whatever was happening in the past, was happening again in the present. Luv and Kush would return to the ashram after preaching to the public. They respected their mother a great deal.

During those days, in order to be a universal ruler, Sri Ram Chandar Ji decided to have a sacrificial ritual. He let go of a horse and announced that whoever can catch this horse would have to fight with Lachman. Lachman with his army, started chasing the horse. When this horse reached the ashram of Rishi Ji, Luv and Kush caught hold of that horse and tied it under a tree. When Lachman came to the ashram, he told the children to release the horse, but they refused. ‘We like this horse very much, we would ride on this horse, you can take another.’

‘But this is a sacrificial horse. Whoever caught this horse, would have to fight with me.’

‘We are ready to go to war against you, but we will not let go of this horse,’ said the brothers.

Lachman told them to prepare for the war. Luv and Kush had learnt the art of war from Rishi Ji, and whoever learnt from Valmik Ji, how can they be defeated? The two brothers took their bow and arrow, wore their armor, mounted on their horses and left to the battlefield. Witnessing the army of Lachman, they said, ‘If you have the strength, then attack us!’ 

Lachman released an arrow, which Luv blocked with his arrow. Then, Luv and Kush released arrows in such a way that Lachman’s army was defeated. Lachman was shocked to see this, and he tried to negotiate with them, but even he was defeated by Luv and Kush.

When Sri Ram Chandar Ji heard about Lachman’s defeat, he sent Shatrughan, his youngest brother with an army to defeat Luv and Kush. But even Shatrughan couldn’t defeat them, and lost.

Upon hearing about the defeat of Shatrughan, Ram Chandar Ji sent Bharat, his brother, who tried to negotiate with Luv and Kush, but failed. They defeated Bharat’s army and Bharat fell to the ground.

Then, Sri Ram Chandar Ji with his army, went to the battlefield. He was very pleased to see such strong and well-built warriors. He praised Luv and Kush and told them to let go of the horse, but they didn’t pay any heed to what Sri Ram Chandar Ji said, and started the war. Within a short period of time, Sri Ram Chandar Ji’s army was defeated. In the end, Sri Ram Chandar Ji was wounded. Upon gaining victory, they went to their mother Sita and told them about their victory, and how they have defeated the ruler of the whole kingdom. Sita Ji suspected that they were speaking about Sri Ram Chandar Ji. At that moment, she got up and went to see the mentioned king. When she saw Sri Ram Chandar Ji, Sita Ji started crying loudly, and said, ‘You have taken my husband away from me!’ Luv and Kush were shocked to hear this. Sita Ji then pleaded to God to save her husband.

Rishi Ji also found out about the whole incident. Rishi Ji splashed holy water onto Sri Ram Chandar Ji and he got up right away. Sri Ram Chandar Ji was shocked to see the warriors with Rishi Ji and Sita Ji. Rishi Ji told him everything. Sri Ram Chandar Ji was happy to see his wife and children. Sri Ram Chandar Ji pleaded to Rishi Ji to bring his brothers and his army back to life, and so did it happen. He requested to bring his wife and children back with him, and Rishi Ji happily agreed. Both sons and Sita Ji reached Ayudhya. The whole country celebrated their return. People would come to have a glimpse of the brave warriors.

Luv and Kush narrated Ramayana to the whole of Ayudhya. Sri Ram Chandar Ji, after listening to his own life story, said, ‘Until this world remains, Rishi Valmik’s katha will remain, great is Rishi Valmik Ji!’

In his later part of life, Rishi Ji wrote Uttarakhand, which is the last book of Valmiki Ramayana. This way, Valmik Ji was known as a great scholar and warrior. He had all the virtues of a deity. Today, if the world knows the story of Sri Ram Chandar Ji, that is because of Rishi Valmik Ji. He spent many years of his life writing Ramayana.

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