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ARTICLE BY : Dr. Dev Singh
"Assur" (D.Phill), Valmiki Khoj Kendra, Sangrur (Pb.)
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ADI
KAVI BHAGWAN VALMEKI AND HIS CREATIONS
24 th September, 1995.
The First Epic 'Valmiki Ramayana' is the first poetic composition of this
land. This is something of which the Indians can rightly feel proud of
because it is precious treasure of the country. It is not only a book of
poetry, but an encyclopedia of culture in which religion; philosophy,
politics and public dealings have been analyzed. India is the only country
which has been guiding the world in the fields of religion and
spiritualism. In India religion was so all pervading that all the
activities of the life like character, attitude, thinking and reflection
came within its parameter. Bhagwan Valmeki Ji set up a number of ashrams
for education in the different corners of the country which were
'educational centres' in those days. He taught the people about Ramayana
through these centres. The unique tradition of his education made spirit,
body, thoughts and mind of the humanity, pure healthy, clear and powerful.
Bhagwan Valmeki Ji was the 'Chancellor' of these ashrams. According to
renowned commentator Neelkanth Ji, a person who along with education feeds
ten thousand students is called 'Chancellor'. His main ashrams were
located in a thick forest near 'Tamsa' river. Goswami Tulsidas has sang
praise for that ashram like this:-
"Khag, mrig, vipul kolahal karheen, birhat baer mandit man charheen"
It means that the birds and animals were living happily in the ashram of
Bhagwan Valmeki Ji, leaving their natural animosity. Tigers and deer,
falcon and sparrow, mongoose and snake were living together, leaving their
traditional animosity.
The inspiration to work for the peace and prosperity of humanity came to
Bhagwan Valmeki Ji from an incident which occurred when he was going to
have a dip in the sacred 'Tamsa' river early in the morning. This incident
moved the heart of the great soul. He saw a paid of cranes making love. At
the same time an arrow came from nowhere and pierced through the make
crane and killed it. This incident moved the heart of the great soul with
such a strong sentiment that he uttered the first words" anushtam chhand....maa
nishad partishtan" on this earth. The Great Poet, who felt the pain of the
female crane in his own heart, the ocean of compassion, The First Poet, to
be revered in the morning, who taught the traditions of the whole world,
the messenger of religion, worshipped by the rich and poor one and all,
the writer of Ramayana is the source of our culture. He is a see revered
poet. The creative writers of different ages have adopted his great works
as the basis of their creations. It is difficult to fine an equal to the
same in any language of the world. This is strange that Bhagwan Valmeki Ji
has himself written in the Ramayana "This epic will work as basis for the
poets of future." In the 8th century Muari wrote about Ramayana". It is
true that a number of earlier poets have used The Ancient Epic Ramayna as
a basis for their dramas, but they cannot leave it because it is difficult
for them to find such an ideal character." He wrote further-"The First
poet produced a treasure all the traders of poetry.
Raja Bhoj in the beginning of his 'Champuramayana' has written "If even
today the people take a little water from the sacred Ganga brought by some
Bhagirtha after a very hard meditation, to satiate the thirst of their
forefathers, why I cannot take a little of a poetic Ganga, brought by the
First Poet Mahrishi Valmeki Ji in the ancient times and used that for the
happiness and enjoyment of the humanity".
The Grate Poet Kalidas has also respectfully addressed Bhagwan Valmeki Ji
(in the 4th century A.D.) as 'The First Poet. Mahakavi Bhavbhooti said in
his dram 'Uttar Ramayana' (8th century A.D.): "The story of Valmeki
Ramayana sanctifies after removing the sins and adds to the welfare. Like
the Ganga of this world it brings betterment and is lovable. The poets
should study the poetry of Omniscient Valmeki Ji, which has been given the
form of a drama and projected through acting."
Acharya Sharagdhar, describing his benevolence, says: 'In the poets having
the status of Inder, I may my respects to the First Poet Valmeki Ji, whose
creation Ramayana gives happiness to the saint as the moonlight gives the
pleasure to 'chokoris' (red flagged partridge)." Simiarly Acharya
Kshamander in the introduction of his book 'Ramayana Manjri'(10th century
AD) writes in the praise of Bhagwan Valmeki Ji: "Praise be to the First
Poet whose glory is equal to the creator in the world, who has composed
the Epic Ramayana, which touches the hearts of all the people. I bow my
head to Bhagwan Valmeki Ji, who created the supreme composition Ramayna,
whose brightness like moon has glorified all the three worlds." The
annotator, Ramanuj has paid his tribute to mahrishi Valemki Ji in these
words : "aroohyea kavitshakhan vandre Valmeki Kokilam" (I pay my respects
to cuckoo bird like Valmeki Ji) .
Dr. Shanti Kumar Nanu Ram Vyas writes: "By describing the living
traditions, ideals, worries, aspirations and sentiments of an ancient era,
the Valmeki Ramayana is a precious treasure of the Indian Civilisation and
Culture. It can be compared to a mountain from the summit of which we can
have a glance of the social, economic, political, and religious and art
activities simultaneously. The Epic of The First Poet, Valmeki Ji depicts
the undecided facts of the contemporary Indian society so vividly which
has no match in any other source. Mahrishi Valmeki Ji is the creator of
the national ideals. The seeds of a great eternal culture, civilization,
religion and truth, sown by him are flourishing like giant trees even
today."
In an issue of 'Dinmaan' weekly it has been written' "if Indepdent India
continues to give importance to human religion, as inspired by Valmeki
Ramayana, her future will be bright." Seeing this impact the saying of A.A.
Mc Donnel seems to be fully true: "No Product of Sanskrit Literature has
enjoyed a greater popularity down to the present day the Ramayana."
M. Vinternitz in his book 'Valmeki Ramayana' writes the praise like this
"As perhaps no other Poem in the entire World
Literature has influenced the whole thinking
and writing of the folk through all the centuries."
He writes further:
"As long as the mountains stand"
And C.V. Vaidya has acknowledged this fact that he is the author of 'Valmeki
Ramayana.
Shri Lakshmi Dhar has described Mahrishi Valmeki ji as the author of 'Prakrit
Sutras' in 'Shat Bhasha Chandrika.
Dr. V.A.K. Ayyer, the famous scholar and the Director of Bhartiya Vidya
Bhavan, Bangalore has said: "Valmeki Ji has written a book on 'akshar
lakshya which is the basis of whole mathematic. He has written in his book
'Hindu Shastra and Sanskar' at page 19:
"The first that calls for mention is the Encyclopedic
Shastra, which goes by the name of Aksharlakksha.
The authorship of this science is
attributed to Sage Valmeki.
All kinds of mathematics including modern geometry,
algebra, trigonometry,
physics or applied mathematics;
mineralogy, hydels;
the method of measuring air,
heat and even electricity;
geography etc. are said to have been treated."
Majority of the scholars are of the view that besides being a linguistic
expert he had the knowledge of jyotish, music and medicines. He was a
forecaster as well as a dramatist. Therefore he is called the omniscient.
The First Poet Bhagwan Valmeki was apt in how many fields, this question
is answered in his book 'Ram Samvad' while translating this book in
English, Shri Devinder kamal, M.A. has written in its preface: This
ancient book is authored by Mahrishi Valmeki Ji. In its every 'Sarga' is
written it Sri Valmiki Vichitei Sri Ram Samvad'. He writes that 'Sri Ram
Samvad' is a small encyclopedia of world science which was written at that
time. It seems that its author had the knowledge of universe, pregnancy
and fetus, psychology, spiritualism and sociology.
Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru, after reading this book had remarked :
"This book appears to be
an important and interesting one".
On the publication of this book, the famous newspaper The Tribune had
commented: "One of the strangest books appearing lately on the literary
horizon of contemporary India is Shri Ram Samvad. This book is a complete
thesis on Hindu politics, economy & jurisprudence. This remarkable book is
verily a masterpiece of coherent thinking, facile expression and
originality of ideological convictions."
Thus after studying 'The First Epic Valemki Ramayana', 'Yogavashishth', 'Aksharlaksha',
'Sri Ram Samvad' etc. books, we come know about the great scholarly status
of Bhagwan Valmeki Ji. On research we come to know about his personality,
his capabilities, and his qualities. Bhagwan Valemki ji is a great saint,
supreme yogi, topmost poet, commentator and founder of the contemporary
social traditions and pillar of truth and justice.
Bharat Rattan Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar had said once,
"It is a tragedy of the Hindi speaking belt that
it has put Tulsidas on the throne
after ignoring Valmeki Ji.
The As long as the rivers are on the earth,
So long will in this World,
The Song of Ramayana continues to live."
Similarly Shri Anmath Nath Dutt, M.A. has written:
"No other literary work, except The Bible,
has such universa
impact as the Ramayana has.
There is no doubt that the
Great Epic 'Valmeki Ramayana' is like
the koh-i-noor diamond in the literary field".
The other creation of Bhagwan Valmeki is 'Yoga Vashishth'. In its praise,
the great scholar of India, Swami Ram Tirtha Pramahans had said in America
had referred to Yoga Vashishth' while talking about the Ancient Indian
Spiritualism:
"One of the Greatest Book and the most wonderful
according to me, ever written
under the sun is 'Yogavashishth'
( in the words of God realization, Delhi edition, Vol, III, page 295).
It is impossible that a person who studies this book he may not have the
feeling of knowledge and oneness with all.
Dr. Bhikhan Lal Attrey, in his book 'Yog Vashishth and its Principles
'writes at page 28:
"This book is one of the supreme
works of Indian Literature.
It is full of precious gems, the
more on delves deeper
in this ocean, the more valuable
things he finds in it.
The ore on goes deeper the lesser it is."
This is written by Mahrishi Valmeki Ji, the creator of Ramayana. Mr. T.G.
Manket writes in his book. The Vashishth Ramayana-A study': The First Poet
Mahrishi Valmeki is the author of Yogavashishth. Acharya Kedar Nath
Tripathi writes in his book on Yogavashishth that the author of this book
is Bhagwan Valmeki Ji.
Pt. Janki Nath Verma writes in his article; 'Eminence and propriety of
Yogavashishth', There is no book which can match Yogavashishth. This book
is supreme not only in Indian Literature but the writings throughout the
world from the angle of find knowledge, analysis and logical angle, its
writer, whomsoever he may be is either God or he has achieved godly level.
The accept it as the work of Bhagwan Valmeki Ji is justified.
If the falsehood comes to an end on this earth and the truth becomes
prevalent, the humanity can get rid of pain and worries and one can attain
the purpose of ones life. 'Valmeki Darshan' is such a study of which shed
the dark clouds of ignorance engulfing the heart and mind of the. In fact
in the present age if any book has the power to take the humanity off from
the path f death and destruction to lead to the path off life, the only
book capable of doing this is 'Yogvashishth Maha Ramayan'.
Shri Rai Bahadur in one of his articles in the praise of 'Prakrit' says;
"As Gargya, Galv, Shaklya and Panini
etc are the master of Sanskrit, similarly Mahrishi
Valmeki ji is the maser
of 'Prakrit Ramayana'. He had also authored
'Prakrit Ramayan.
"In the Vedic Literature there is a reference of
'Vyakaran Valmeki people
of this belt will remain backward
till they do not replace Tulsidas by Valmeki Ji".
The compositions of Bhagwan Valmeki Ji give right direction to the
humanity. Food grains and wealth are unduly wasted on account of unseen
gods and false and blind followings and rituals.
'viklavo veeriya heeno ya : sdaiv manuvatate"
Only cowards and incapable persons depend upon fate. The strong persons
never worship destiny. 'ashtapitre devtye nityayen prasritojan: Those who
believe that the donation of food given at 'shradha' goes to the
forefathers, they only waste the food. Can a dead person eat the food. 'pitruhi
samtikant putro ya sadh manyte: The books and persons preaching for the
traditions like performing of yagyas, to do prayers and worship, to give
alms and to become ascetic by leaving ones family just to please the gods
are the creations of clever people are for furtherance of traditions of
alms and charity in the people. 'sa naste parminyatat karu budhi mahamate'
: There is this world only, no other world is there. Therefore take care
of what is present, forget about the next world or what is not there'.'ye
samudyog mrityujy sthita daiv prayana' : Those people who do not make
effort and leave everything on the gods, they are wasting their religion,
wealth, energy and deliverance-all the four capacities. Those lazy persons
are their own enemies. By ignoring their existing gods, to whom they can
serve-their mother, father and teacher, how the worship of the invisible
gods can be logical. There is no other god on this earth who can equal the
parents and the teacher, because by serving them one can gain religion,
wealth and energy.
This story of Epic Ramayana is preaching the lesson of human welfare to
the whole humanity throughout the world. This Epic is like that huge
Banyan tree, which has grown to an enormous scale by piercing the crust of
this earth and is standing loftily to provide shelter to the humanity. The
readers and the poets even today not only enjoy the depths of sweetness of
the poetry of the First Poet, Bhagwan Valmeki Ji, they are also moved in
their hearts by the eternal song. The entire poetic world agrees with one
word that this Epic has established an ideal for the whole humanity. This
is the road on which we can lead the humanity on the path of peace. The
first Poet, Bhagwan Valmeki ji, through his creations has laid the high
road of welfare for the whole human race. |
Dr. Dev Singh Assur
"Advaiti"
Valmeki Research
Centre.
Sangrur- 148001 (PB),
India | |
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