This article was published in Mihira in 90s by Dr. Kolluru Avatara Sarma
Every body’s answer is - ‘VALMIKI’. If we put this question directly to Ramayana itself, we get a different answer as follows:
‘Bhargavena Tapaswina’ भार्गवॆन तपस्विना and ‘Bhargavena Mahatmana’ भार्गवेन महात्मना, which means the author of Ramayana is Bhargava, who is a Tapaswin, sage as well as a Mahatma.
If we refer the same to our tradition, we will be in more confusion as it propounds- ‘Vedah Prachetasadaseet sakshad Ramayanatmana’ वेदः प्राचेतसादासीत् साक्षाद्रामायणात्मना- i.e., Ramayana is the evolution of Veda in its real form from the pen of Prachetas. It also reiterates - ‘chakre’ prachetasah putrah- Tam Brahmapanvamanyata’ - It was written by the son of Prachetas and accepted by Brahma the God of creation. In this particular context, Vishnupurana names him as Rksha and describes him as Bhargava, the son of Bhrigu (the word Bhargava can also be derived as - Bhrigoh Gotrapatyam Puman’- a person born in the Bhrigu family as ‘Rikshobhud Bhargavastasmad..’ During search for internal evidence, we find another twist; when Rama visited the hermitage of Valmiki, the latter introduces himself as ‘Prachetasoham Dasamah Putrah’ which means - ‘I am the tenth son of Prachetas’. This is his personal version.
The sum-total of all these arguments will puzzle the average seeker with following questions:
Generally we find clues to such puzzles in the Puranic lore of the Sankrit literature. That is how the word - ‘Purana’ is named so, which means literally, ‘Pura Api Navam’ पुरा अपि नवम् i.e. though old it looks ever new. If we read them again and again several times, in every reading we find some new message or new interpretation or some solution to a problem, we are experiencing in our daily life. That is the unique feature of the writings of our seers!
Now, again we draw attention to Vishnu Purana which says ‘Rikshobhud Bhargavastasmad Valmikiryobhidheeyate’ This means Ramayana was from Riksha, born in the family of Bhrigu, who was named Valmiki.
We find more details in this matter from the ‘Umasamhita’ which is a part of Skandapurana, in which a small story has been narrated; - Once sage Sanatkumara was discussing seriously a ritual with Bhrigu. While the discussion was going on, Harita the son of Bhrigu, playing with a peacock came frequently and broke the argument several times. Inspite of repeated warnings, he was disturbing them badly. Then Sanatkumara couldn’t control his anger and cursed him to become a Kirata. Under this influence Harita became Kirata and joined the Kirata family - with Riksha as his name. Later he married and took to robbery as his profession.
To this it is added - once he caught hold of some seers. They asked him - What are you doing? Accompanied by his fellow men he replied -
वने चरामः - ‘Vane’ Charamah’ (We wander in the forests)
वसुं चॊरामः - ‘Vasu Charamah’ (Get wealth by robbery)
नदीम्स्तरामः - ‘Nadeestaramah’ (Cross the rivers)
न भयं स्मरामः - ‘Na Bhayam Smaramah’ (Never think about fear)
Thus, while answering he uttered the two syllables ‘Ra’ and ‘Mah’ , which form the ‘Taraka Mantra’four times. Actually Riksha was not aware of the greatness of Rama mantra. This astonished the seers very much. Unless he had some previous divine experience or god’s blessing, such outcome of a sacred Mantra is not possible in one utterance. By their divine vision, they realised who he was, and why he became so. They convinced him and gave initiation to chant the Taraka Mantra in its reverse order as ’ Ma-Ra’. During the span of his penance for several years, bushes grew around him and whiteants built their abode, ‘Valmika’ over him. Later he got eternal bliss along with revelation and realisation, and became Maharshi. Then onwards he was named Valmiki and Prachetasa. The ‘Bhriguvalli’, of Taittiriyopanishad propounds Bhrigu as the son of Varuna the rain god who is otherwise named Prachetas.
Analysing these arguments we may arrive at the conclusion that - Valmiki was originally the son of Bhrigu and afterwards became a Kirata, on account of the curse of sage Sanatkumara and at last he could gain his status as Brahmarshi through severe penance and was recognised by all. That is why Lakshmana., while introducing him to Sita says - ‘Sakha Paramako Vipro Valmikih Sumaha Yasah. Here stress is laid on the word ‘Paramako Viprah’ which means an extraordinary Brahmin. Not only Lakshmana, but also Lord Brahma the god of creation, addresses him in the beginning as ‘Brahman’ ‘Mat Chandadeva to Brahman Pravartteyam Saraswathi.-
Thus we may conclude that Valmiki was a true brahmin belonging to the Bhrigu family. He was the grand son of Varuna and wrote the first poem in Sanskrit and became famous by the name ‘Adikavi’, the first poet. He wrote the Ramayana according to a divine plan which is again a point of deep discussion.