Valmik Rishi- Encyclopaedia of Saints of India (Part-21)

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The early career of Valmik depicts him as an ordinary person performing an unsocial job which involved him in highway robbery. The illustrious sapta rishi brought about an unexpected change in his career and after years of tapsya, he became Valmik Rishi. He authored the Ramayana and thus gained the most illus- trious fame in the annals of our history, nay, the Hindu society.

The theme contains seven chapters which depict, in a comprehensive way, the poet's deep vision regarding several phases of Ramayana. The main thrust is on the royal household, Ayodhya Kanda, Rama: the Ideal King, Yudha Kanda and the valuation of Valmiki.

This work would be useful for teachers, scholars and millions of other people in India and abroad.

Contents include: The Poet's Vision; The Main Story; Household of Dasaratha; Ayodhya Kanda; Rama: The Ideal King: Yuddha Kanda; Valuation of Valmiki.

Dr. S.R. Bakshi, Ph.D., D.Litt. is an eminent scholar of Modern Indian History and is the author of several works on Indian nationalism and freedom movement. His recent works include 'Encyclopaedic History of Indian Culture and Religion' (in 5 Vols.), The Great Marathas' (in 5 Vols.), The Great Rajputs' (in 6 Vols.), 'B.R. Ambedkar: His Political and Social Ideology' (in 2 Vols.), 'Encyclopaedic History of The Sikhs and Sikhism' (in 6 Vols.), The Great Moghuls' (in 8 Vols.), and 'Development of Women, Children and Weaker Sections' (in 5 Vols.). Dr. Bakshi is member of several academic institutions having deep bearing on historical research.

Dr. Sangh Mittra, LL.B. Ph.D. from Lucknow University, is Dy. Director (Research) in Indian Council of Historical Research. Her Ph.D. thesis on 'Iconographic Study of Minor Brahmanical Deities in Northern India' is published along with more than 20 Research Papers in reputed historical journals. She is Life Member of several academic institutions and a reputed examiner of Ph.D. thesis of Universities of North India. Besides she has actively participated in numerous national and international Seminars.

According to one legend, before he became the immortal bard, Valmiki was but a highway robber who waylaid innocent travellers to amass riches for himself and his family. On one occasion his victims happened to be the illustrious sapta rishi: the seven wise men of the ancient lore who were steeped in spirituality and in esoteric wisdom. Upon being attacked and told that the things that the brigand would take away from the sages by force would be shared with his family, they asked him if his kith and kin would share the consequences of his evil deed. The miscreant began to wonder.

When Valmiki reached home, he asked his wife and children if they would share with them the fruits of his sinful life style when the time of reckoning came. Their prompt reply was that they would share his boot, but not his sins. At this reply, Valmiki's eyes were opened to the reality.

Valmiki went back to the sages, narrated the whole story to them and requested them for the correct direction which he should adopt as the future course of action in future. They asked him to repeat the disyllable 'maraa' countless times and with concentration. It is said that he was immersed in deep meditation for several years, until finally his entire body was covered by a mammoth anthill. The sages now returned to the spot where they had left him, and dubbed him Valmiki, which is Sanskrit for anthill.

**Contents and Sample Pages**