Valmiki, who was born in a Brahmin family was originally known as Ratnakar. His lineage originated from sage Angira. Though Brahmin by caste, he became a notorious dacoit during his younger days, he had fallen into bad company and who used to commit robberies and dacoties.

Since, he had a bad company of associates during childhood, hence as a result, he did not get an opportunity to receive education. Hiding in a jungle, he used to rob and relieve any person of his belongings and by the acquired wealth he used to look after his family and these evil activities continued for a long time.

One day it so happened that sage Narad was passing through that forest in which Ratnakar was hiding. As soon as Ratnakar saw him, he challenged him to stop. Unafraid Narad stopped and said to him: " Brother, I don't possess anything, which you would take. Well! Tell me, why do you kill people uselessly, there is no other sin greater than killing and one has to face the consequences for his actions after death in hell. And for whom are you committing these sinful actions?"

It is said that when the time for benediction comes on account of the accumulated virtuous actions of immemorial incarnations and lives of the man and when the almighty God is gracious enough to shower him with kindness, he gets an opportunity to have the privilege of meeting a real sage.

Ratnakar was accustomed of seeing frightened face that used to cry and beg for his mercy and requested him to pardon their lives. But here was a sage Narad with no sign of fear on his face and who even had the courage to question his actions. As a result of this, Ratnakar was impressed deeply with Narad and he said to Narad: " I have a large family to look after. My family would starve to death if I don't loot people."

Narad replied: " Brother, go and ask them, if they are willing to share your sins for whom you are committing these sinful actions. And don't think that I would run away, if you don't believe me then you an tie me with this rope to the tree."

Ratnakar after tying Narad with the rope went to his home and asked everybody the same question: " Is anybody ready to share my sins?" The same reply came from each member of his family:" It is your duty to look after me, to feed us. It is not my concern as to by which method you earn wealth, so why should I share your sins?"

Ratnakar was disillusioned. He who was toiling, committing sins, taking risks, day and night for them and here they were not even ready to share his sins. He saw the futility of his actions he had been committing. Ratnakar went back to the forest and untying Narad fell at his feet and started crying and said: O learned man ,how can a mean person like me achieve salvation?

Narad after thinking for a while asked him to chant the name of God Rama but for Ratnakar even pronouncing it was difficult. When Narad saw that even after trying very hard, Ratnakar was not successful in his attempts to chant Rama's name, he asked him to pronounce it backwards that is 'Mara' and then Narad went away. Ratnakar started to chant 'Mara, Mara' sitting there. He continued with this chant for 4 days, months, years and even Yuga! He did not get up for a single moment, even opened his eyes. His body was so still that termites made his body their home and his whole body was covered with them. Lord Brahma after being by his penance blessed him and gave him the name Valmiki because of the termites, which are called Valmik in Sanskrit.

One, who was a cruel dacoit, whose only duty was to kill became the most noble sage because of the effect of chanting God's name though backwards.

Once, a hunter killed one of the pair of herons who were immersed in enjoying love-play in front of Valmiki. Valmiki was enraged after seeing this and cursed the hunter by saying this Shloka. This particular Shloka is thought to be the first verse ever created in this world. The Shloka went as follows:

"MAA NISHAADA PRATISHTHAAM TVAMGAMAH SHAASVATEE SAMAH|
YATKROUNCHA MITHUNADEKAMAVADHEEH KAAMA MOHITAM||

which meant- " O cruel hunter, you will never get respect in this world because you have killed the innocent heron who was engaged in making love."

While in exile, Shri Rama along with Sita and Lakshman visited Valmiki Ashram. Valmiki was very delighted and honoured his guests. When Shri Rama asked Valmiki as to where should he reside as he had abandoned Ayodhya, Valmiki specified about 14 types of residences which were fit for him to reside and these 14 residences covered all the ways and paths of devotion.

Valmiki said:-

1) you should reside along with Sita and Lakshman where people are not tired of listening to your biographical narrative.

2) You should reside, where people are always desirous of seeing your divine appearance, where people have on their lips, only your name.

3) You should reside where people take their food only after they have offered them to you.

4)You should reside where people consider your lotus feet as their most sacred pilgrimage.

5)You should reside where teachers and Brahmins are respected.

6)You should reside where people are not under the perversions like lust, anger, attachment, greed etc.

7)You should reside where men consider women as their mothers and sisters other than their own wife.

8)You should reside where people become happy by seeing other's happiness and become a part in their sorrow.

9) You should reside where people overlook the others demerits and praise their good qualities.

10) You should reside where people are ready to face the most difficult situations and hardships, to serve the Brahmins and cows.

11) You should reside where people are thoughtful and truthful.

12) You should reside where people take refuge in your divine shelter leaving behind their castes, societies, families and all the luxuries etc.

13) You should reside where people love and adore you by their thoughts, words and deeds.

14) You should reside where religious rites like offering food to the Brahmins, homa-offering oblations to sacred fire), Tarpana (libation of water to the deceased ancestor) are performed daily.

When Shri Rama abandoned Sita because of unfair allegations made on her, Sita became the guest of Valmiki where Lava and Kusha were born. Valmiki had already created 24000 Shlokas of the Ramayana before the advent of the incarnation of Shri Rama.

The Ramayana is considered as the fifth Veda and is revered like the Vedas. Valmiki made the narration of Ramayana to Lava and Kusha in his Ashram first of all

KOOJANTAM RAAMA RAAMETI MADHRAM MADHURAAKSHA RAM| AARUHYA KAVITAASHAAKHAAM VANDE VAALMEEKIKOKILAM||

which means that " I make salutations to the cuckoo ( Valmiki) that says Rama ,Rama sweetly sitting on the branches (verses)).