While the Mahabharat was written by Vyas ji in Naimisharanya (please see earlier posts here), the Ramayan, consisting of 24,000 shloks, was written by Valmiki in Bithoor, in his Ashram there (circa 500 BCE to 300 BCE).
Entrance to Valmiki Ashram in Kanpur
A popular story on Valmiki that we heard from childhood is now disputed as having no proven origin and thus may not be true. However it is interesting and goes thus : The daku/dacoit Ratnakar, who robbed to feed his family, came across Narad Muni and tried to rob him. On being asked whether his family would partake of his sins since they were partaking of the spoils, Ratnakar learns that his family is not agreeable to do so. Realisation then dawns on him. Being a sinner, he is unable to even take God’s name. Narad ji asks him to chant “Maraa Maraa Maraa” repeatedly and these words ultimately merge into “Ram Ram Ram” and change his life. During the long period of his meditation, an anthill or valmiki grows over him, thus giving him this name.
Valmiki Dwar, Bithoor. The entrance to Valmiki Ashram and associated temples.
Entrance to Valmiki Ashram
Ram, Sita and Lakshman visited Valmiki’s ashram after leaving Ayodhya. When Sitaji was left in the forests by Lakshman, on the instructions of Ramchandraji, it was Valmiki who gave her shelter. Sita ji’s entire life thereafter took place here.
Valmiki ji
Valmiki is also said to have written Yog Vashist (with 32,000 shloks) which has Guru Vashist’s teachings to young Ram.
(This post was written by me in December 2016, uploaded now)
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