Valmiki, the Sage Who Wrote the Ramayana: Exploring the Epic and His Mystical Journey

The Ramayana, an ancient Sanskrit epic, narrates the journey of Rama, a divine prince, and the trials and tribulations he faces with the help of his allies, especially his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana. This masterpiece of Indian literature was composed by the revered sage Valmiki, who remains an enigmatic figure in ancient Indian history. This article dives into the life of Valmiki and the timeline of the Ramayana's composition.

Valmiki and His Background

Valmiki’s early life is marked by mystery; his original name was said to be Prachetasa, and he was born in the lineage of Bhrigu. However, the identities of his parents are unknown. Valmiki’s spiritual journey is as fascinating as the epic he wrote. This sage is credited with performing an immense penance for many years, during which anthills formed over him. Due to this, Ant hills in Sanskrit are called Valmike, leading to his name Valmiki.

The Composition of Ramayana

According to scholars, the composition of the Ramayana took place around 500 BCE to 100 BCE. This makes the epic roughly 2500 to 2000 years old, considering the present time. It was sung in around 24,000 verses, delivered orally without the aid of written scripts, as no such system existed at the time. Through generations, the epic was passed down orally.

Controversies and Maha Yugas

The exact time period of the events narrated in the Ramayana is a subject of much debate. Some scholars propose that the events might have occurred between 12,000 BCE and 5,000 BCE. Others believe that the Ramayana took place in the 24th Maha Yuga, which would be millions of years ago. Maha Yuga is calculated to span 4,320,000 years, and it is currently in its 28th iteration.

The Life of Valmiki in Ayodhya

Valmiki is said to have resided in the nearby forest of Ayodhya, located in the vicinity of the Tamasa river. The Ramayana itself implies that, by the time Valmiki narrated the epic, Rama had already killed Ravana and coronated as the king of Ayodhya. It also mentioned that Sita, Rama's wife, lived in Valmiki's ashram and even gave birth to the twin princes Luv and Kush. According to the text, Luv and Kush were about 10-15 years old when Valmiki began narrating the epic, and it was sung by them.

The Confusion of Knowledge

Valmiki's narrative of the Ramayana mirrors a clever allegory of understanding knowledge. Atomic physics, though complex, can be comprehended through the fusion of theory and practice. Conversely, the teachings of Brahma Jnana (knowledge of Brahman) are non-material and cannot be grasped through physical senses. Hence, the vast number of books written on these subjects can be bewildering to students. This complexity is addressed by Adi Shankara’s teachings, as expressed in Viveka Chudamani, where he explains that the mere words can be overwhelming and confusing as to what they are truly addressing.

Valmiki's Ramayana stands as a timeless allegory, a continuation of life and creation, reflecting the fundamental truths of existence and the journey of consciousness.