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The robber who has become a great sage
Once upon a time, there lived a dacoit named Ratna¯kara who made money by robbing other people. He lived in a jungle with his wife and children. No traveler who passed through the jungle was safe. The dacoit didn't hesitate to kill them and steal their wealth.
One day Sage Na¯rada passed through the forest. As usual, the dacoit was on the lookout for victims. As soon as he saw the saint happily singing and playing on his vina, the dacoit thought, "Here is an easy chance to get rich!". He jumped down from the tree where he was hiding and landed with a thud, right in front of the sage. Flashing his sword, he threatened, "Give me all that you possess. Otherwise I will kill you."
Na¯rada Muni, the son of Brahma did not get afraid. He looked kindly into the eyes of the dacoit and asked, "Why do you want to kill me? I have never harmed you."
The dacoit replied, "It is not because of anything you did that I want to kill you. I want your wealth so that I can look after my wife and children. Do as I say, or I will kill you."
Na¯rada Muni was not disturbed by his threats. He replied, "Very well, you may do as you please. But kindly tell me one thing. You say that you are committing all this sin for your wife and children. They are taking the money earned by you. Will they also take the sins that you are earning?"
The dacoit could not answer. He never thought of it that way. He replied, "Of course, they will have to! Why else should I commit sins for their sake?"
Na¯rada Muni shook his head in disagreement and said, "No, they will not. If you have any doubt, go and ask your wife and children." The dacoit suspected that Na¯rada Muni was trying to trick him and escape, so he firmly stated that he wouldn't let go and leave him there.
Na¯rada Muni laughed and assured the thief, "No, my son, I promise you that I won't escape. I will surely wait for you to return. If you don't believe me, tie me up to one of these trees and go to your house."
The dacoit tightly bound Na¯rada to a nearby tree and hurried home. Ever since the sage asked him the strange question, his mind was disturbed. Had he been ruining himself through sinful activities, without gaining anything?
He went home and called out for his wife and children. He said, "My dears, you know how I had been earning money for you by robbing and killing. I have been sharing with you the money that I earned. Will you take the sins earned by me as well?"
The wife and children were horrified at the suggestion. They said, "We are your dependents and you must maintain us. We never asked you to commit sins for getting money. If you choose to commit sins, it is your choice. How are we concerned with it? You alone will suffer the results of your crimes and your sins."
Suddenly the eyes of the dacoit were opened. He realized that he was accumulating terrible sins from which there was no escape. Why should he lead a sinful life for the maintenance of these people?
He ran back to Na¯rada Muni and, quickly untying the bonds, fell at his feet. Deep in grief, he begged, "O Great Soul, in ignorance I have committed many sins. Please tell me how I can save myself. I have no more desire to lead this life of sin. Please, save me."
Na¯rada Muni rejoiced at the change in the dacoit. He lifted the dacoit to his feet and told him, "Fear not, my son. There is one name, which saves even the greatest of sinners. Repeat this name with all your mind and soul. All your sins will be washed away." He then whispered in his ears the sacred name, "Ra¯ma" and asked the dacoit to repeat it.
But the dacoit in his entire life had uttered only harsh and unkind words. So, try as he might, he could not utter the word "Ra¯ma". However, Na¯rada was too kind to leave him. So he tried another method. He slowly said the word "Mara", which means ‘death'. This time the dacoit was very happy to say the word! He liked it! He began saying it, over and over again. "Mara, Mara, Mara, Mara". And he started repeating the syllables in quick succession. . . "Mara, Mara, Ma-Ra¯, Ma-Ra¯, Ma, Ra¯, Ma, Ra¯, Ma, Ra¯-Ma, Ra¯-Ma, Ra¯ma, Ra¯ma".
Without realizing it, the dacoit was repeating the holy name of Lord Ra¯ma. He was captivated by the charm of the sacred name and he went on repeating the name, forgetful of where he was. He sat like that for ages, without moving and without opening his eyes. Years passed away. Seeing him sitting like an immovable stone, ants, worms and insects crawled fearlessly near him. They built their homes and nests on his body. The anthills grew and grew until they covered him completely.
This long penance washed away all his sins. At last, within his heart, he saw the beautiful form of Lord Ra¯ma. Overflowing with joy, he rose from his seat, knocking down all the anthills around him. Because he rose from anthills (Va¯lmi¯ka) he came to be called ‘Va¯lmi¯ki'.
The association of devotees is very, very important. If there is association of pure devotees even for a moment, the person immediately comes to the path of perfection. Vedic scriptures emphasize ‘sadhu-sanga' or ‘satsanga' because by associating with pure devotees one also acquires the qualities of the pure devotees. The story highlights how a moment's association with a pure devotee can transform the life even of a dacoit. (from Ra¯mcaritma¯nas)
Courtesy: https://stories.shabda.co/2024/02/29/how-ratnakara-became-valmiki-muni/