Valmiki

Valmiki
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Valmiki. Long time ago, a dacoit used to stop travellers in a forest. He killed them if they did not stop. One day a rishi passed through the forest.

Long time ago, a dacoit used to stop travellers in a forest. He killed them if they did not stop. One day a rishi passed through the forest. The dacoit stopped him, and said, "Give me everything you have, even your clothes.

" The rishi said, "I shall give them to you. But what will you do with them?" The dacoit said, "I shall sell them. With that money I shall feed my family." The rishi asked, "Will your family share the punishment from God for your wicked deeds? Go and ask them." The dacoit went and asked his family. All the members said “No.” He came back sad. He went and said this to the rishi. The rishi said, "Don’t you think your work is thankless?” The dacoit then said, "What should I do?" The rishi said, "Give up your evil ways. Worship God. Only He can help you.”

“How should l worship God?” he asked. The rishi said. “Pray to Rama. Say Rama, Rama, Rama, all the time." The dacoit could not say the word right. He went on saying “‘Mara - Mara - Mara" day and night for years. A great ant-hill grew up around him. Valmika in Sanskrit means ant-hill. Even though the dacoit said God’s name the wrong way, God came to him and said, “I am pleased with your prayer. You shall be a great rishi and write the Ramayana." And he did. He came to be known as Valmiki, because he was covered by a valmika.
- (From Culture Course-BVB)
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