श्री क्षेत्र रावेरी, जगातील एकमेव सीतामंदीर : भाग -२

Was Valmiki contemporary to Rama? First part of Ramayana, Balkanda, narrates us a story how Valmiki was inspired to compose this epic. The story goes like this: “When Seer Narada visited hermitage of Valmiki, Valmiki asked him a question: ‘O greate sage Narada, who is most virtuous, valiant, religious, truthful and able to cause terror in the hearts of the Gods when angry on this earth?’ Narada answered, ‘The virtues you have mentioned are hard to find in any single person. However there is Rama of Ikshvaku clan who is an ideal person.’ Valmiki requested to Narada to narrate deeds of Rama. Narada happily did so and later Valmiki composed Ramayana in lyrical form.” The beginning of the story itself is baffling. It shows Valmiki did not know Rama at all! Had it been the case there wouldn’t be any need to ask recite biography of Rama. Ramayana in later parts makes him an active character in Rama story, being patron of Seeta and her twin boy’s. Thus making him contemporary to Rama!