Valmiki
Maharishi Valmiki (Sanskrit: वाल्मीकि, vālmīki) (during Lord Rama's time)[1] was an Indian Sanskrit poet and is celebrated as the poet harbinger in Sanskrit literature. He is the author of the epic Ramayana, based on the attribution in the text of the epic itself.[2] He is revered as the Adi Kavi, which means First Poet, for he discovered the first śloka i.e. first verse, which set the base and defined the form to Sanskrit poetry.
| Maharishi Valmiki | |
|---|---|
| File:Valmiki Ramayana.jpg Maharishi Valmiki composing the Ramayana. | |
| Philosophy | Religious movement called Valmikism is based on Valmiki's teachings. |
| Titles/honors | Revered as the Adi Kavi, which means First Poet, for he discovered the first śloka. |
| Composed Ramayana | |
At least by the 1st century AD, Valmiki's reputation as the father of Sanskrit classical poetry seems to have been legendary.
Role in Ramayana
Valmiki played an important role in Uttara Kanda, the last chapter of epic Ramayana. It is believed that The Uttara Kanda was not original work of Valmiki. It is believed to be taken up from Sesha Ramayana. According to the legend Rama send Sita to forest. Sita finds refuge in Sage Valmiki's ashram, where she gives birth to twin boys Lava (founder of Lahore) and Kusha (founder of Kasur) . Lava and Kusha were Valmiki's first disciples to whom he taught the Ramayana. Bala Kanda of the epic also telling the story of Valmiki narrating the Ramayana to his disciples Lava and Kusha.[3]
Valmiki Media
- Narada visits Valmiki.jpg
The youthful sage Narada at the white-bearded Valmiki's hermitage
- An illustration to a Ramayana series Valmiki and the death of the Sarus crane, India, Kangra circa 1775-1800.jpg
Valmiki and the death of the Sarus crane
- Hermitage of Valmiki, Folio from the "Nadaun" Ramayana (Adventures of Rama) LACMA AC1999.127.45.jpg
India, Himachal Pradesh, Kangra, circa 1820*Drawings; watercolors*Opaque watercolor, gold, and ink on paper*Gift of Jane Greenough Green in memory of Edward Pelton Green (AC1999.127.45)*South and Southeast Asian Art
- Idol of Sage Valmiki at center, Lava and Kusha on both sides of Valmiki, the horse of Ashwamedha Yajna of Ram at left corner, and Sita on the right corner, at the Valmiki Jayanti celebration at Bihutali, Duliajan.jpg
Related pages
References
- Notes
- ↑ Julia Leslie, Authority and Meaning in Indian Religions: Hinduism and the Case of Valmiki, Ashgate (2003), p. 154. ISBN 0754634310
- ↑ Vālmīki, Robert P. Goldman (1990). The Rāmāyaṇa of Vālmīki: An Epic of Ancient India. Vol. 1. Princeton University Press. pp. 14–15. ISBN 069101485X.
- ↑ Rao, T. S. Sha ma; Litent (2014-01-01). Lava Kusha. Litent.
- Others
- Dictionary of Hindu Lore and Legend (ISBN 0-500-51088-1) by Anna Dallapiccola