Rishi Valmik Ji was born into a royal family, was a great devotee from a young age, and was skilled in martial arts. On various occasions, he used to go to the jungle to meditate for many years at a time. Once,  he meditated as such for so long that termites began to build a home on his body. The word Valmik means home of termites in Sanskrit, and from this point onward, he was known as this. Due to his intense meditation, he could tap into the past and future. Through this, he attained knowledge of the life of Sri Raam Chandar Ji (incarnation of Treta Jug). Rishi Valmik Ji then wrote the Ramayana in 24,000 verses with deep thoughts and hidden meanings. Through deep meditation, he could recall all the events that took place in Raam Chandar Ji’s life and wrote everything down. 

A time came when Sita Ji (Raam Chandar Ji’s wife) was banished from the kingdom and came to stay with Rishi Valmik Ji. Rishi Ji raised Sita Ji’s two children, Luv and Kush, who then became great scholars and memorized the Ramayana. Rishi Valmik Ji sent Luv and Kush to go to distant places to preach the great Ramayana to sages, poets, and the general public. Luv and Kush eventually returned and lived at the ashram with their mother and Rishi Valmik Ji. A time came when they engaged in wars with the greatest armies of that time. Luv and Kush had learned the art of war from Rishi Ji and were able to destroy even Raam Chandar Ji’s army. After seeing the brave warriors his sons had become, Raam Chandar brought Luv, Kush, and his wife back to his palace. Upon hearing the Ramayana, Raam Chandar Ji said that until this world remains, Rishi Valmik’s Katha (discourse) shall remain. This story is written within Sri Gur Bhagat Mala Steek by Giani Narain Singh Ji. To learn more about this topic, check out our article on Rishi Valmik Ji.