Valmiki Jayanti 2024 - Significance of the Birth Anniversary of Sage Valmiki

Valmiki Jayanti, or Balmiki Jayanti, celebrates the birthday of Adi Kavi Maharishi Valmiki. It falls on the full moon day (Purnima) in the Hindi month of Ashwina. Valmiki Jayanti 2024 date is October 17. Sage Valmiki is the author of epic Ramayana and is one of the greatest saints of the ancient world. The day is of great significance in North India and it is also known as Pargat Diwas.

Apart from writing the immortal classic Ramayan, Sage Valmiki is one of the greatest saints of the ancient world who through his life and teachings prompted people to think and react against social inequalities.

There are numerous theories regarding Valmiki’s birth and about his spiritual transformation. There is no end to such debates. For a true devotee, what matters more is the teachings of Sage Valmiki and the unparalleled teachings of this great sage rise above all unnecessary noises created by intellectuals.

Numerous functions are organized on the day in India and other parts of the world. Special prayers, Shobha Yatras, meetings, and distribution of free food are some of the important events on the day.

Some Important Points on Sage Valmiki

• He is the author of the great epic Ramayana.

• He lived during the 1^st century BC.

• He is known as Adikavi as he is believed to have created the sloka – the verse form in which Hindu scriptures like the Ramayana, Mahabharata, Puranas etc. are composed.

• He achieved enlightenment by chanting Rama Nama – the name of Bhagavan Sri Ram.

• He was so immersed in meditation that anthill (valmika) grew around his body and he got the name Sage Valmiki.

• Sage Valmiki, who was in search of the ideal man, found the answer to his query from Sage Narada when the sage narrated about Bhagavan Sri Ram. Ramayana is based on the search for the ideal man.

• The sloka – verse form of stanza used in Hindu scriptures – was accidentally uttered by Sage Valmiki when he saw a hunter killing male bird that was making love to the female. The distressed wailing of the female bird, made Sage Valmiki curse the hunter. He was some moved by the whole situation that the curse came out in the form of sloka.

• It is believed that when Sage Valmiki decided to compose his poem in the newly discovered meter form, Brahma blessed him with visions of all incidents in the life of Sri Ram.

• In the epic Ramayana, during the exile period Sri Ram visits the ashram of Valmiki.

• When Ram is forced to banish Sita from Ayodhya, Valmiki shelters Mata Sita and helps in bringing up twin sons Luv and Kush.

Related
Story of the name of Valmiki – Valmikam – Anthill