Narada Returns to Ratnkar

With the help of Narada, the robber named Ratnakar began to meditate. As he meditated, ants came and built a great anthill (valmikam) all around him.

Years later, Narada returned. He broke open the anthill and said, "It's time to come out now. Do you remember who you are?"

"I was a robber," the man said. "Now I am..."

"Now you are a sage," said Narada. "We'll call you Valmiki, and the time for meditation is over. Now you must act. Sita awaits you on the bank of the river, and she's about to give birth. Go to her now."

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Inspired by: Sita: An Illustrated Retelling of the Ramayana by Devdutt Pattanaik
Notes: This story is on p. 286 of the book.