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 Gurus 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 Gurus 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 Gurus instructions. Valmiki did not apply his intellect
to his Gurus instruction but crossed over the ocean of Maya merely by putting unwavering faith on his Gurus
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 Gods name. Seeing an
unmoved Narad, unabashed by the presence of robbers, Ratnakar was infuriated. He asked Narad that arent 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
Narads 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 Lords 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 Gurus instructions.
Ratnakar had so much faith in his Guru, that he didnt 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 hours time
while practicing devotion, but Valmiki recited mara mara uninterruptedly for thousands of years. Who can
equal his faith and depth of devotion?
Valmikis unquestioning faith on his Gurus instructions transformed him, from being a bandit to a God-realized
saint, and the author of the epic Ramayan.
Source: JkYog.org