Valmiki Jayanti 2024: An advice that transformed notorious robber Ratnakar into a great scholar

Valmiki Jayanti, also known as Pragat Diwas, is a significant Hindu festival celebrated to mark the birth anniversary of Maharishi Valmiki, a revered scholar and sage. Maharishi Valmiki is known for penning one of Hinduism's most important epics, the Ramayana, which consists of 24,000 shlokas and seven cantos (Khands).
On this auspicious day, devotees across India honor Valmiki by chanting verses from the Ramayana at temples dedicated to him.One of the most notable temples is located in Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai. This 1,300-year-old temple holds historical significance as it is believed to be the place where Valmiki rested after composing the Ramayana.
Maharishi Valmiki is also known as 'Adi Kavi’. He is known to be the first poet of the Sanskrit language. According to legends, it is believed that Maharishi Valmiki met Lord Rama during his exile in the forests and later gave shelter to goddess Sita, it was in his hermitage that her twins Luv and Kush were born.


Maharishi Valmiki in his early life was a highway dacoit known as Ratnakar, who committed murder and robberies. It is believed that Sage Narada Muni transformed Ratnakar to be a devoted follower of Lord Rama. According to Drikpanchang, Narada Muni told him to renounce his bad deeds. Ratnakar performed intense penance while reciting the sacred Rama Nama mantra. After several years of meditation, a divine voice declared the success of his penance and gave him the name Valmiki, meaning "one born out of anthills." This change was the very starting step of his life as a mighty sage and the author of the Ramayana.


Valmiki Jayanti is celebrated on the full moon night (Purnima) of the Ashwin month according to the Hindu calendar, and will be observed this year on Thursday, October 17. According to Drik Panchang, the Purnima Tithi begins at 8:40 PM on October 16, 2024, and ends at 4:55 PM on October 17, 2024.
The celebration of Valmiki Jayanti is a time for reflection on the sage's contributions to Hindu literature and spirituality, and is a reminder of the timeless wisdom contained in his works. Devotees gather to pay homage and seek inspiration from Valmiki's life and teachings, in his temples. They also take out processions, sing devotional songs, feed the poor and light diyas.