Balmiki Jayanti 2019: Valmiki Jayanti, the birth anniversary of sage Valmiki, the first poet.
Valmiki Jayanti is celebrated in honour of sage Valmiki, the famous poet and author of epic Ramayana. He is referred as adi kavi, the first poet who wrote the first shloka, the first poem Ramayana, which has 24,000 verses and 7 cantos (Kandas) including the Uttara canto. The birth date and timings of Valmiki, famous as Maharishi Valmiki, are not known but his birth anniversary, also known as Valmiki Jayanti is celebrated on Ashwin Purnima, according to Hindu lunar calendar. This year, it falls on October 13. Per drikpanchang.com, Valmiki Jayanti Purnima Tithi Begins at 12:36 am on October 13, 2019 and ends at 2:38 am on October 14, 2019.
Know the story of origin of first shloka:
On day, Maharishi Valmiki was very happy seeing two birds. Suddenly, an arrow hit one of the male birds and it died on the spot. Filled by sorrow, its mate died of shock.
Upon seeing this, sage Valmiki's heart melted and he angrily told the hunter:
Maa Nishad Pratishtha Twamgam Sashwati Sama, Yatkronchmithunadekam Avadhi Kaammohitam
"You will find no rest for the long years of eternity, for you killed a bird in love and unsuspecting."
Thus came the first shloka or verse.
10 thought-provoking quotes from Ramayana Valmiki
Like a flowing river, what has gone will never come back
Yadatitam punarnaiti srotah srotasvinaam iva
- Valmiki
There is no deity powerful than time
Na nuunam daivatam kincit kaalena balavattaram
- Valmiki
At the time of doom, one seized by fate disregards good advice
Na rocate tadvacanam hi tasya kaalaabhipannasya vinaasakaale
- Valmiki
He who does not repay a favour is a stigma to humanity
Krtam na pratikuryaadhyah purusaanaam hi duusanah
- Valmiki
Duties not performed, invite the wrath even of the good
Kartavyam akrtam kaaryam sataam manyum udiirayet
- Valmiki
A night lost cannot be regained.
Atyeti rajani yaatu saa na pratinivartate
- Valmiki
The doings of the wise should never ever harm the world
Lokapiidaakaram karma na kartavyam vicaksanaih
- Valmiki
Where there is Rama , there is neither fear nor failure
Yatra raamo bhayam naatra naasti tatra paraa bhavah
- Valmiki
People are as repelled by a liar, as they are of serpents
Udvijante yathaa sarpaannaraad anrta vaadinah
- Valmiki
Show no disrespect even when impelled by desire or anger
Na caavanjnaa prayoktavyaa kaamakrodhavasaadapi
Happy Valmiki Jayanti!