सम्भाषणम्:वाल्मीकिः

वाल्मीकि: संस्कृतस्य आदिकविरिति मन्यते। तेन हि रामायणं नाम विश्वप्रसिद्धा कृतिः रचिता। सः संस्कृतस्य आदिकविः आसीत् | अस्य रचनासु वेदोत्तर-कालीन-संस्कृतस्य प्रवाहः, माधुर्यं च वर्तते।

Introduction The Adikavi, the Poet of Poets, of India, who gave the world the immortal epic, the 'Ramayana'. By profession a highway robber, he came under the spell of Maharshi Narada and became a 'Brahmarshi' . He not only sang the matchless greatness of Sri Rama, but gave shelter to his wife Seetha Devi, and taught the epic to Sri Rama's sons.

Author: T.S.Shama Rao

Maharshi Valmiki

Sri Rama and Seetha.

Who has not heard these two names in our country, from the Himalayas to Kanyakumari ? Ramanavami is a sacred festival. People observe the Ramotsava and listen to the stories of Rama and Seetha again and again. They worship Rama and Seetha with great devotion.

The story of Rama and Seethadevi is the 'Ramayana'.

It is remarkable that Sri Rama himself listened to the story of the Ramayana' and was pleased. Lava and Kusha sang the story before Rama very sweetly; Rama did not know that they were own sons!

The poet who composed 'Ramayana' and taught the song and story to Lava and Kusha, was a great sage by name Valmiki. How this man became a sage and a singer-poet is itself a very interesting story.

Valmiki's Ramayana is in the Sanskrit language. It is a very beautiful poem. long poem narrating the story of a very great hero is called an epic.

Valmiki's 'Ramayana' is the very first such poem in Sanskrit. Therefore, it is also called the 'Adikavya' or -the First Poem; Valmiki is also known as the 'Adikavi’, which means the First Poet.

Valmiki's 'Ramayana' can be sung. It is delightful to the ear like the sound of the cuckoo. Valmiki has been described as a cuckoo on the tree of poetry, singing sweetly. Those who read the 'Ramayana' bow to the great Valmiki first and then turn to the epic.