GREETINGS

Once upon a time in a jungle along the banks of river Ganga lived a thief called Ratnakar. He was a cruel and ruthless person robbing passers- by of their valuables. One day Ratnakar saw a sage walking through the jungle and attempted to rob him. The sage was none other than Narada! The sage was unperturbed and his calm demeanour had a profound effect on Ratnakar. Further more, Narada asked “Will your family be willing to share the fruits of your sins? Why don’t you go and ask them? I shall wait for you till you come.” Ratnakar goes back to his family and asks them. Alas! His wife replies, “It is indeed your duty to provide for your wife and children. But as for your sins, you alone have to bear the consequences of your sinful acts”. Ratnakara, crestfallen, comes back to the sage, falls at his feet, begs for his forgiveness, and requests the sage to show him the way out of his misery. Narada advises him to meditate on the Supreme Being by chanting the holy name of “Rama”. The poor savage is unable to repeat the word and hence Narada asks him to chant “Mara” (meaning tree). The word “Mara” when repeated fast becomes “Rama”. Thus without knowing, Ratnakara started repeating the word “Rama” instead of “Mara”. Ratnakar then begins his penance which prolongs for so many years that an anthill grows around him. Later, Narada comes to the same spot and gently clears the anthill away. Ratnakar is named Valmiki by Narada. Sage Valmiki, now a realized soul, leads the life of a hermit and initiated by Brahma, composes the great epic, Ramayana. Thus Ramayana was authored by Valmiki, who was once Ratnakar, a thief! But, once he surrendered his mind at the feet of the Lord, he was elevated to the status of an enlightened soul. Such is the grace of the Lord’s name! Ratnakar came out of the anthill as Valmiki. The anthill represents our body. As long as we identify ourselves with our body and everything associated with it, the mind forces us to dance to the tune of world of sense objects. Man indeed loses sight of the true purpose of this blessed life. Once we embark on our journey inwards, keeping the mind in steady contemplation of the Lord by Nama Japa, miracles happen! The same mind could function as Ratnakar, a thief causing hurt and pain to others, and as Valmiki, who composes the immortal song of Lord ShriRamachandra benefitting generations of mankind. Dear friends, whether to live a life of a Ratnakar or a Valmiki, the choice is ours indeed!