Uttara Kanda

The Valmiki Ramayana #7

by Vālmīki, Hari Prasad Shastri (Translator)

Ramayana by Maharishi Valmiki in Sanskrit is the first poetry ever composed by anyone in the world. Its contents are explained in Hindi & other languages of the world. Based on it Ram Charit Manas by Tulsidas, Kanva Ramayana, Jain Ramayana etc, were written by its Shlok by shlok translation in Hindi poetry is not composed by any poet because of which Ramayana by Walmiki is largely unknown to common man whose mother tongue is Hindi. This book caters to this need.

Genres: Philosophy

334 pages, ebook

First published January 1, 501

About the author

Valmiki is celebrated as the poet harbinger in Sanskrit literature. He is the author of the epic Ramayana, based on the attribution in the text of the epic itself.He is revered as the Adi Kavi, which means First Poet, for he discovered the first śloka i.e. first verse, which set the base and defined the form to Sanskrit poetry. The Yoga Vasistha is attributed to him. A religious movement called Valmikism is based on Valmiki's teachings as presented in the Ramayana and the Yoga Vasistha.
At least by the 1st century AD, Valmiki's reputation as the father of Sanskrit classical poetry seems to have been legendary. Ashvagosha writes in the Buddhacarita,
"The voice of Valmiki uttered poetry which the great seer Chyavana could not compose."
This particular verse has been speculated to indicate a familial relationship between Valmiki and Chyavana, as implied by the previous and subsequent verses.

Reviews

[Reece · Rating 5 out of 5]

The final part of the Ramayana epic is a pleasant piece of exposition and epilogue. Through it, we learn more about the life of Ravana, the major villain that the story drove on towards until his destruction at the hands of Rama, among a number of other relevant bits of information. We also learn of the fate of all four of the brothers, ascending into heaven alongside their devout followers, and the boon levelled upon all followers of Vishnu that should reward them with entry into heaven with faith as the ticket. In itself, this kanda is somewhat out-of-place, introducing the story into the story itself and focusing less on the epic tale to provide a peaceful, stable conclusion. In it, however, is implied the peace brought about by Rama’s heroic efforts – such a story structure, even if it is only the result of later addendums from other poets, reflects the attributed stability, peace, and glory so central to Rama as a character and as a leader.