Vālmīki

Article abstract: Indian sage poet{$I[g]India and Sri Lanka;Vālmīki[Valmiki]} Vālmīki composed the first epic poem of India, a work describing the life of Prince Rāma.

Early Life

The historicity of Vālmīki (val-MEE-kee) is somewhat uncertain because the traditions referring to him are late and unsupported by anything other than still later texts repeating, modifying, or elaborating on the stories. Though the Rāmāyana (c. 550 b.c.e.; English translation, 1870-1889) does not contain any information on Vālmīki’s early life, we know from...

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