A Bandit Turns Yogi

Many thousand years ago, in the dense forest of northern India, lived a bandit named Ratnakara. He was notorious for waylaying people who were passing through the forest and then robbing and murdering them. The story of the transformation of this thief and murderer into a wise sage is in itself fascinating. But what makes it even more interesting is that this man invented a technology so profound that it changed the course of human evolution that bought us to the modern world we see around us today.

One day as Ratnakara lay in wait he saw a monk happily singing as he made his way through the forest. The monk was Narada, a divine sage, who took it upon himself to roam the land. In some ways Narada was a bit of a mischief maker bearing the news and the latest gossip from one region or kingdom to another. Soon Ratnakara accosted the sage with a dagger that he place on Narada’s throat, “You better give me all your valuables!” He said in his hoarse voice. Narada was not intimidated. He was a frequent traveler and had met all kinds of characters as he wandered the world. He pushed the dagger aside, “What do you expect from me? All I have is the simple clothes I am wearing and my old Veena! (Veena is a stringed musical instrument).

Surprised at the total lack of fear on the part of Narada, Ratnakara stepped back and studied him closely. He saw a face that was glowing in wisdom and peace. Narada saw the pause and seized the moment. “Why do you want to commit sin? Do you know that robbing and committing murder is a sin?” He asked.

Ratnakara did not flinch. He responded without any trace of remorse, “I know it is a sin, but isn’t it my duty to provide for my family? I commit these sins for their sake!”

“Very well then, go to your family and ask them if they are willing to bear partial burden of your sins that you commit in their name.”

Narada saw hesitation in Ratnakara’s eyes and continued, “If you think this is a ruse I am using to escape while you are gone, why don’t you tie me up to this tree before you leave?”

Ratnakara did just that. He tied Narada to a tree and then hurried back home. He spoke with his parents, his wife, and then his children. The response he got from all was similar: “We will not accept the burden of sins you commit! It is your duty to look after us and feed us, but does not mean that this is a license to commit sins. You have to bear the burden of your sins on your own!”

Crestfallen Ratnakara rushed back to Narada. He felt increasing panic at the thought of the huge burden of sins he had accumulated and what it meant for him. He hoped that the wise looking Narada may be able to help him. He quickly untied Narada and cried, “I have committed sin all my life. How do I get deliverance from it?”

Narada placed his hands on Ratnakara’s shoulder to console him and said, “Your sins are indeed grave and the penance you have to do will have to be severe, but if you chant the name of the Lord relentlessly with complete surrender then you will be delivered from you sins!”

Saying this Narada picked up his Veena and continued with his journey. Ratnakara decided to commence his penance immediately and he sat under the tree and began meditating on the Lord’s name.

Many months passed and Narada was on his way back. He happened to pass through the same spot where he had encountered Ratnakara earlier. He noticed an anthill under the tree where he had been tied up and thought that to be a funny coincidence. So to investigate further he pushed open the anthill and was surprised to find Ratnakara entombed in it! So strict had been his penance that he had not budged from his spot since the time they met and an anthill had grown over him. Ratnakara’s face was glowing with peace as he was completely lost in his meditation. To rouse him Narada whispered the name of the Lord in his ears and only then Ratnakara opened his eyes. When their eyes met, Narada spoke in a voice filled with awe, “Not only have you washed away your sins but you have attained God-realization, oh divine one! Henceforth you shall be known as the sage Valmiki, meaning one who has risen out from an ant-hill!”

Next week: A remarkable event takes place in Valmiki’s life that leads him to create a new technology that revolutionized human evolution.

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