Beyond Myths: Re-Examining the Life and Intellectual Legacy of Valmiki

Author(s)	Dr. Jyothi S
Country	India
Abstract	Valmiki, traditionally revered as the Adi Kavi or the first poet of India, occupies a foundational place in Indian literary history through the composition of the Ramayana. Over centuries, however, numerous myths and legends have emerged around his life, often overshadowing the historical and intellectual significance of his achievement. This article critically examines these popular narratives and argues that such mythologization reflects deeper social anxieties rooted in caste hierarchies. By comparing Valmiki’s legacy with figures such as Ekalavya and B. R. Ambedkar, the paper explores how extraordinary achievements by individuals from marginalized communities have often been reinterpreted through myth rather than acknowledged as products of intellectual labor and perseverance. The study advocates a more historically grounded and socially conscious understanding of Valmiki’s life and literary contribution.
Keywords	Valmiki, Ramayana, caste and literature, Dalit intellectual history, myth and historiography
Published In	Volume 7, Issue 2, March-April 2026
Published On	2026-03-12

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