Tell Maharshi Valmiki’s story to reform anti-social elements: HC Judge

Mysuru: Karnataka High Court Judge S.G. Pandit advised advocates to narrate the story of Maharshi Valmki to anti-social elements and their clients in a bid to reform them, from becoming criminals.

Judge Pandit was speaking after offering floral tributes to the statue of Maharshi Valmiki at Valmiki Jayanti-2024 celebrations organised by Mysore Bar Association at District Law Courts premises in city recently.

“Maharshi Valmiki, before he became a Maharshi, was known by the name Ratnakara. He joined hunters in the forest and used to rob people to eke out a living. One day he saw Narada Muni and tried to rob him. Realising that there is nothing to steal from Narada except for his Tamboori, Ratnakara engages in a conversation with Narada. After learning about his background, Narada advices Ratnakara to chant the name of Ram. The chanting of Ram Mantra made Ratnakara realise his mistakes and became reformed to become Maharshi Valmiki,” said the High Court Judge, narrating the life story of Maharshi Valmiki. 

Stating that Maharshi Valmiki is a symbol of reformation, Justice Pandit said that, Valmiki not just authored Ramayana, but also introduced the traditions of an entire generation to mankind. Maharshi Valmiki is an ideal for the entire world, the HC Judge said.

Sri Prasannananda Swamiji of Maharshi Valmiki Gurupeetha, Rajanahalli, who graced the occasion, said that even before Buddha and Basavanna, Maharshi Valmiki had propagated that non-violence was the core of all religions.

Karnataka Land Grabbing Prohibition Special Court (Bengaluru) Judicial Member N.S. Patil, Principal District and Sessions Court Judge Ravindra Hegde, Karnataka State Bar Council Member B.R. Chandramouli, Mysore Bar Association Secretary A.G. Sudheer, Vice-President M.V. Chandrashekar, Treasurer H.B. Bharath, Joint Secretary K.R. Charanraj, Joint Secretary-Woman B.V. Vinoda and others were present on the occasion.