Dr. Jai Narayan Vyas
Before Valmiki who created Ra Mayana was a robber. Skanda is described in the Purana as earning his own and his family's livelihood by robbing people. One day he received the gift of Saptarishi and one of the sages asked him, will your family be part of the sin that you commit for the maintenance of your family? He asked the family but when the family categorically refused to be a part of this sin, he had a change of heart and the sage initiated him into the 'Ramnaam' mantra. According to another legend, Narada Muni, while passing through the forest, taught him to chant 'Ramnaam' and asked him to worship the Lord with one meditation. It is said that while chanting Japa, Valio Loontaro was so engrossed that he started chanting 'Mara-Mara' instead of 'Ram-Ram'. Even so, seeing his devotion and concentration, God was pleased with him and thus Valia became known as Valmiki Rishi from a robber. He created the epic 'Ramayana' as a poet. One such story is that of Angulimal. During Lord Buddha's lifetime, Angulimal was prevalent as a dreaded dacoit. Angulimal used to kill hikers passing through the forest and cut off their finger and make a necklace of it around his neck. People trembled at the mere name of Angulimal. The afflicted people went to Lord Buddha. Lord Buddha wished to meet Khunkhar Angulimal Daku and walked towards the forest. Seeing him going that way, many people working in the fields warned him and tried to turn him back, but Lord Buddha firmly entered the forest and started moving forward. After a short walk, a hoarse voice said, 'Stop.' Lord Buddha looked back and saw a great man standing. Dark complexion, long hair, long nails, red eyes and calluses. A garland of fingers was hanging around his neck. If there was anyone else, he would have been shocked to see this terrible look. Lord Buddha said in a calm but firm tone, 'I stopped because you said so, but when will you stop?' Angulimal looked at the Buddha's face and there was no fear at all. There was brightness on his face and compassion in his eyes. Earlier, when he stopped someone, the person in front of him would tremble. This ascetic was perfectly healthy and standing peacefully. Angulimal asked him, 'O hermit! Aren't you afraid?' Buddha replied, 'What to fear from a weak man like you? If you want to fear, fear Him who is Almighty.' Angulimal said, 'Am I not strong? I cut off the heads of ten men at once.' Buddha said, 'There is a tree in front of you, can you pluck 10 leaves from it?' Angulimal said, 'What is the point of raiding? If you say, uproot the whole tree.' Buddha said, 'There is no need to uproot the tree, just pluck the leaves.' Angulimal plucked the leaves and brought them. Now the Buddha said, 'You are truly all-powerful, so now attach these leaves to the tree again.' Angulimal laughed scornfully and said, 'Good man, broken leaves of a tree can be joined to a branch, can't it?' Buddha said, 'If you cannot attach a man's head to his body, what is the courage to separate him from his body? True power lies in joining, not in breaking.' Angulimal was speechless after hearing this from Buddha. He realized his inferiority. He threw the mace and fell at Lord Buddha's feet. He asked for Buddha's forgiveness and said, 'I have forgotten. Take me under your shelter.' Lord Buddha made him a disciple. Later that Angulimal became a great monk. Even today there are many instances where a person is completely changed due to such a change of heart. The question is when does this happen? There is a verse for this: amantram aksharam nasti nasti moolam anaushidham, unworthy: purushu nasti, yojakastra rare: no matter how wicked or useless a person is, he is not unworthy. Although it is iron, it is rusted, but sometimes it becomes gold if it is touched with parsimony. Such a change sometimes happens in human life, but for that it is necessary to get the guidance or advice of a 'Yojak' i.e. a competent person who guides him on the right path. Valio became the robber Valmiki because he met Naradji. The dreaded robber Angulimal became a monk because he met Lord Buddha. A good man's company or satsang can change a good man's heart.
Image Credit: (Divya-Bhaskar): Images/graphics belong to (Divya-Bhaskar).
