Significance of Valmiki Jayanti; PM Modi extends wishes

Bengaluru: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has greeted people on the occasion of Valmiki Jayanti. In a tweet, PM Modi said, “The great thoughts of Maharishi Valmiki are the seed element of India's historical journey, on which the tradition and culture have flourished. 

वाल्मीकि जयंती की बहुत-बहुत बधाई। महर्षि वाल्मीकि के महान विचार हमारी ऐतिहासिक यात्रा के बीज तत्व हैं, जिस पर हमारी परंपरा और संस्कृति पुष्पित-पल्लवित होती रही है। सामाजिक न्याय के प्रकाश-स्तंभ रहे उनके संदेश हमेशा हम सबको प्रेरित करते रहेंगे।

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 13, 2019

The original Sanskrit version of Ramayana consists of 24,000 shlokas and seven cantos. It is attributed to the greatest saint who ever lived on earth- Bhagwan Valmiki. Also known as Adi Kavi, or the first poet of the Sanskrit language. 

Valmiki lead the life of a robber before he transformed into a saint. His journey from being a robber named Ratnakar to becoming a poet is inspiring. Valmiki’s transformation took place because of Sage Narada. 

His penance lasted several years, and he remained seated until a huge anthill covered his entire body. Hence the name Valmiki. He is believed to have been born on Ashwina Purnima, and hence, his devotees celebrate Valmiki Jayanti on this day. This year, it will be celebrated on the thirteenth day of October.

This day, wishes poured in on social media as well with the top trend being #ValmikiJayanti 

रामायण के रचनाकार आदिकवि महर्षि वाल्मीकि जी की जयंती की हार्दिक शुभकामनाएं।

सामाजिक न्याय के प्रकाश-स्तंभ रहे वाल्मीकि जी के विचार समूचे विश्व को प्रेरित करते रहेंगे।

आदिकवि के श्री चरणों में कोटि-कोटि प्रणाम। #valmikijayanti pic.twitter.com/eB0iossK1q

— Dr Harsh Vardhan (@drharshvardhan) October 13, 2019

महर्षि वाल्मीकि जयंती की आप सभी को शुभकामनायें।

We are indebted to Maharshi Valmiki for authoring the epic #Ramayana . He shared the inspiring story of Lord Shri Ram with all of us which is now an integral part of our nation. We pay homage to his genius today.#valmikijayanti pic.twitter.com/Y9HeB6QJG5

— Prakash Javadekar (@PrakashJavdekar) October 13, 2019

शोक को श्लोक कर देने की ईश्वरीय कला के प्रणेता, वैज्ञानिक कवीश्वर,मर्यादा पुरुषोत्तम के पुत्रों को प्रकृतिस्थ मर्यादा का अक्षरारम्भ कराने वाले,माता जानकी के प्रतिपालक,विश्व के महानतम ग्रंथ से इस भूमि को अलंकृत करने वाले,आदिकवि महर्षि वाल्मीकि की जयंती पर प्रणाम🙏
#valmikijayanti pic.twitter.com/dRFiYwcDq3

— Dr Kumar Vishvas (@DrKumarVishwas) October 13, 2019