How Valiyo became Valmiki!

In the heart of a dense jungle, a notorious robber named Valiyo made his living through robbery. He was feared by travellers and revered by his family, who relied on his stolen goods to sustain their lives.

One day, Sage Narada, the ever-mischievous celestial bard known for his devotion to Lord Vishnu, happened to pass through the jungle. As always, Narada was dressed in simple robes, carrying his veena, and chanting “Narayana, Narayana!” in a melodious rhythm.

Valiyo spotted him from afar and mistook him for a wealthy priest. “This man must have hidden riches,” he thought, eyeing Narada’s attire and veena with suspicion. With a wicked grin, Valiyo drew a sharp knife from the folds of his dhoti and concealed himself in the bushes, ready to strike.

As Narada drew nearer, Valiyo leapt out, brandishing his knife. “Stop right there, Brahmana!” he bellowed. “Hand over all your riches, or I’ll chop you to pieces with this blade!”

Narada, undisturbed, responded calmly, “Narayana, Narayana! Dear Valiyo, I am but a simple devotee of Sri Mahavishnu, wandering the three worlds with nothing to my name. What can I possibly offer you?”

Valiyo’s eyes widened in disbelief. “How do you know my name, Brahmana? Enough lies! Surrender your treasures, or you’ll regret it!”

Narada smiled serenely. “I know your name because the Lord knows all, and I see His grace in everyone, even in you. But tell me, Valiyo, what do you gain by stealing from others? Do you realize the heavy burden of sins you’re piling onto your soul?”

Valiyo scoffed. “I do it for my family. My wife and children survive on what I bring back. They share in my sins, just as they share in the benefits of my deeds.”

Narada’s expression grew serious. “Ah, Valiyo, you are mistaken. The sins you commit belong to you alone. No one—not your wife, not your children—will share that burden. Go, ask them yourself if they are willing to bear your sins.”

Confident in his belief, Valiyo returned to his cottage. Standing before his family, he spoke with uncharacteristic gravity. “My dear wife, my beloved children, there’s something I must confess. I have robbed countless people to provide for you all. I thought you shared in my deeds, but tell me honestly—will you share my sins as well?”

His family exchanged uneasy glances. Finally, his wife spoke, her tone firm. “Your actions are your own, Valiyo. We have not stolen anything. Why should we bear the burden of your sins?”

The children nodded in agreement. “We never asked you to rob anyone, Father. The sins are yours alone.”

Valiyo was stunned. Their words struck him like lightning. The illusion he had lived under shattered, leaving him overwhelmed with guilt and remorse.

The next morning, Valiyo sought out Narada and fell at his feet. “Forgive me, O Sage! I see the depth of my karma. Please guide me to salvation.”

Narada placed a hand on Valiyo’s head. “Narayana, Narayana! True realization is the first step towards transformation. Dedicate yourself to penance and devotion, and you shall be free from your past.”

Under Narada’s guidance, Valiyo renounced his life of crime and began intense penance. He meditated on the divine name of Rama with unwavering focus. Over the years, his devotion purified his soul, and the sinner Valiyo transformed into Sage Valmiki, the revered author of the great epic Ramayana !

Thus, the story of Valiyo reminds us that no sin is too great to overcome with sincere repentance and devotion.

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A retelling by Shanmukha 

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