From Being A Bandit To Valmiki
A story of Ratnakar- the highway bandit, who crossed over the ocean of maya merely by putting unwavering faith in his Guru’s instructions. Is there any one among 6 billion people in the world today who would not be able to utter the word, “Rama” if he were not mute? There is no such sinner who cannot utter the word “Rama”, says Jagadguru Kripalu Ji Maharaj. But even for such a sinner, attaining God was possible due to faith in his Guru’s instruction.
Various Saints in the present age and in ancient times have made every possible attempt to explain spiritual principles to us, such as who is God, what is surrenderance, and what is Maya. But in spite of all their efforts, we have failed to completely surrender to either God or His saints. However, the illiterate Valmiki who used demonic methods to earn his livelihood, developed strong faith in his Guru’s instructions. Valmiki did not apply his intellect to his Guru’s instruction but crossed over the ocean of Maya merely by putting unwavering faith on his Guru’s instructions.
Ratnakar; a highway bandit, had a fortunate encounter with Devarishi Narad, and was inspired to leave his path of falsehood. Once, the robber saw Narad coming along the path, in trance of singing God’s name. Seeing an unmoved Narad, unabashed by the presence of robbers, Ratnakar was infuriated. He asked Narad that aren’t you afraid of us? Narad answered that it is not he but the robbers, who have committed so much sin, should be afraid, as according to the law of Karm, will inevitably to go to hell.
Narad asked Ratnakar that although his family was eager to share the fruits of his bad actions, will they share his sins? Ratnakar replied positively, but Narad told him to confirm this with his family. Ratnakar asked his family, but none agreed to bear the burden of his sins. Dejected, Ratnakar finally understood the truth of life and asked for Narad’s forgiveness and made him his Guru.
Narad taught Ratnakar the mantra for salvation. Narad knew that his sins will prevent him from taking the holy name of God, therefore Narad asked him to chant “mara-mara”; which repeated continuously, resonate the sound of “Rama” which is the Lord’s name. Ratnakar could utter the two syllables “ra” and “ma” because he was able to say “ma-ra”, but he could not say “ra-ma.” Narad asked him to keep on repeating the mantra till he returned.
Ratnakar sat there and followed the instruction so strictly that he did not get up even once for his bodily requirements, such as eating, drinking or sleeping. White termites ate up his body completely, he continued following the instruction unwaveringly. Since the termites made his body their residence, he was called “Valmiki” (Valmika means an ant hill). How could such surrender and devotion to the Guru arise in him? He attained his ultimate goal, by the power of his faith on his Guru’s instructions. Ratnakar had so much faith in his Guru, that he didn’t even ask him, when shall he return or what is mara-mara or how long he should repeat mara-mara. Jagadguru Kripaluji Maharaj says, “He did not even question his Guru once but followed his instructions strictly. Have you ever seen any disciple so strongly devoted to his Guru that if asked to by his Guru, he could sit for twenty-four hours in the same posture? People get up in an hour’s time while practicing devotion, but Valmiki recited “mara” – “mara” uninterruptedly for thousands of years. Who can equal his faith and depth of devotion? Valmiki’s unquestioning faith on his Guru’s instructions transformed him, from being a bandit to a God-realized saint, and the author of the epic Ramayan. Source: JkYog.org