Once, Sage Valmiki was walking near the Tamasa River when he saw a pair of krauncha birds flying together, clearly devoted to each other.
Suddenly, a wicked hunter appeared and shot the male bird.
The female bird, heartbroken, saw her companion fall and began to cry out in sorrow.
Seeing this terrible act, Valmiki was deeply moved.
The sorrow of the female bird stirred his compassion, and he spoke harshly to the hunter, saying, “Because you have killed one of these loving birds, you will lose everything you hold dear.”
After he spoke, Valmiki reflected on his words and thought, “What did I just say in response to this bird's grief?”
Being very wise and learned, Valmiki, preeminent among sages, pondered for a while and then spoke to his disciple, Bharadwaja.
“This verse, born from the sorrow of the bird and composed in rhymed lines with an equal number of syllables, suitable for singing with stringed instruments, shall be known as a sloka and nothing else.”
Valmiki then shared this new form of poetry with Bharadwaja.
Bharadwaja, thrilled by the beauty of the verse, memorized it with great enthusiasm, which pleased the sage greatly.
From this story, we can derive several meaningful lessons:
Compassion for All Beings:
Valmiki's deep empathy for the krauncha birds shows the importance of compassion for all living beings.
Recognizing the pain of others, whether human or animal, fosters kindness and empathy in our own hearts.
The Power of Words:
The spontaneous creation of a beautiful verse by Valmiki highlights how powerful words can be.
Words can express deep emotions and can also lead to new forms of expression and art.
Condemnation of Cruelty:
Valmiki’s rebuke of the hunter teaches us to stand against cruelty and injustice.
It is important to speak out against harmful actions and advocate for the well-being of others.
Reflection and Self-Awareness:
Valmiki’s reflection on his own words demonstrates the value of self-awareness.
Taking a moment to ponder our actions and words can lead to greater wisdom and understanding.
Innovation from Emotion:
Valmiki’s creation of the "sloka" from his grief shows that strong emotions can be channeled into creative and constructive outlets.
Emotions, when harnessed properly, can lead to innovation and new ideas.
Teaching and Learning:
The relationship between Valmiki and his disciple Bharadwaja underscores the importance of teaching and passing on knowledge.
A good teacher can inspire and guide their students, leading to the preservation and spread of wisdom.
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