Rishi Valmiki - Writer of Epic Ramayana

Ramayana the great epic of Hinduism is written by Saint Valmiki. Valmiki rishi was previously known as "Valya", the robber. In the past life he was very cruel and sinner.He killed people for money and belongings.For each living being killed by him he used to put one stone in a mud-pot. Such seven mud-pots ware filled by his sins.

One day Maharishi (Great Saint) Narad was passing through a forest where "Valya" was looting the people."Valya" stopped Narada and holding a axe on his throat demanded for his money and gold belongings with him.

Narada said "Dear I am a poor devotee of lord Narayana. I only have this clothes which I am wearing. Don't " kill me.I don't have wealth to give you.You have killed so many people and animals that that would take you to hell to pacify these sins.You think that you are doing this for your family. Please go and ask them if the are willing to partner you in the hell for these sins. After listening to Narada "Valya" went to his family and asked the same to his family. But no one got ready to partner in his sins.Not his wife,children or parents.

Very depressed "Valya" came back to Narada and wit folded hands requested Narada "No one is ready to share my sins. Please tell me the way to get rid of these sorrows. Whatever you say , I wil follow your words."

Narada said "OK, now surrender yourself to Narayana god and keep chanting his name . this is the only way to get rid of your sins.

I'll give you the Mantra (The name of god to chant) . Continuously chant this mantra with whole-heartedness and you will attain the peace and godliness." Narada then gave him the Mantra. he asked valya to chant "MaRa". Actually "MaRa" is not a god's name ; but continuous chanting creates the sound of god's name as "RaMa" .

After that Narada went from there and Valya started chanting the mantra as "MaRaMaRaMaRa.....".This mantra changed Valya's life permanently.After few days Narada came to see the progress of Valya.

Now valya has become the knowledgeable and peaceful saint.Narada gave himt he name "Valmiki". From then Valya is known as "Maharishi Valmiki". Valmiki wrote the great eic of Lord Rama known as the Ramayana. This is life story of Lord Rama which is created before Lord Rama is took the en carnation on Earth.

The poem is divided into several major kandas or parts, The  chronological major events in the life of Lord Rama—
1) Bala kanda, includes the birth of Rama.
2) Ayodhya Kanda, preparations for Rama's crowning and his exile into  forest.
3) Aranya Kanda, forest life of Rama and kidnapping of Sita by Ravana.
4) Kishkinda Kanda, the meeting of Hanuman and Sugriva with Rama.
5) Sundara Kanda, the efforts of Hanuman, flight to Lanka and meeting with Sita.
6) Yuddha Kanda, the battle between Lord Rama and Ravana.
7) Uttara Kanda. the birth of Lava and Kusha to Sita. Final departures of Sita nad rama.