This happened in those distant times when people were God-fearing and innocent, and a person who broke the law was an exception to the rule.
There lived a man named Valmiki. He traded in robbery and did not hesitate to kill people if they resisted.
At that time, the musician, poet and wonderful person Narada lived in the world. People loved him for his cheerful disposition. He always smiled, joked, and if he was asked to play, he never refused. His instrument was always with him. It had one string and was called an ektara. But it is known that the simpler the instrument, the higher the skill of the musician should be. And Narada extracted enchanting sounds from it.
One day Narada was going to a neighboring village, and the road went through the forest in which Valmiki lived. People began to persuade him not to walk this road, because it was very dangerous:
“Valmiki is a villain, he won’t notice that you are a musician and a good person.”
Narada said:
“I want to look at the man who made you cowards.” There is only one person, and traffic on the road is stopped.
He went because he believed in music more than in the bloodthirstiness of man.
Valmiki heard enchanting music and came out onto the road. To his surprise, he saw one unarmed man, and this made both the man and his music seem even more beautiful to him. For the first time, Valmiki felt hesitant.
“Don’t you know,” he turned to the musician, “that walking along this road is dangerous?”
Narada, still playing, turned off the road and sat down next to Valmiki, who was sharpening his sword. Having finished playing the melody, he turned to the robber:
“You are a very colorful figure, but what are you doing alone in the dark forest?”
Valmiki replied:
“I rob people, and now I’ll take all your wealth away from you.”
Narada said:
“My riches are of a different quality, they are internal, and I would be happy to share them with you.”
“I am only interested in material values,” answered Valmiki.
The musician said:
- But they are nothing compared to spiritual values, and you, such a strong person, tell me, why are you doing this?
- For the sake of my family: my mother, my wife and children. If I don’t bring them money, they will starve, and I don’t know how to do anything else,” answered Valmiki.
Narada asked:
- Do they need such a sacrifice? You asked them about this: are they ready to share responsibility for your sins before God?
For the first time, Valmiki began to think.
“I didn’t think about it before,” he said, “but now...
Narada said:
- So go and ask them, and I will wait for you.
He went home and asked his mother. She replied:
“Why should I share responsibility for your crimes with you?” I am your mother, your duty is to feed me.
And his wife said:
- Why on earth would I be responsible for your sins? I haven’t done anything like that and I’m pure before God. I don’t know how you get bread, that’s your business.
Valmiki returned and said:
- Nobody wants to share responsibility with me. I am lonely, and no matter what I do for the sake of my family, I will be responsible for everything myself. I want to understand myself. Guide me on the true path, so that one day I can feel the same music, the same joy that I see on your face.
They left together... Repenting of his crimes, Valmiki spent many years atoning for the evil he had committed through severe asceticism. The name Valmiki translates as “ant” and was given to him because he stood motionless for several years, covered in ants. Having purified himself, Valmiki became a legendary poet.
He is credited with the invention of the epic poetic meter - shloka. He is also the author of the famous poem Ramayana.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru