1. Blessed is the virtuous sage Valmiki, famous among sages. The three worlds have become purified because of him.
2. The whole of the Ramayana that was to occur in the future was written in advance by him, in hundreds of thousands of verses. Such a feat similar to this has not been seen nor heard of anywhere in the whole of creation.
3. Even if one prediction about the future comes true it is a very rare occurance and the people on the earth are greatly surprised.
4. Even when the incarnation of Lord Rama had not yet taken place, and there was no reference in the scriptures, Valmiki elaborately wrote the story of Rama’s life.
5. The elegance of Valmiki's literary skill was so majestic that upon hearing it even Lord Shiva was greatly pleased, and he divided it into sections and spread it throughout the three worlds.
6. Such grand poetic style that was appreciated by Lord Shiva had never before been seen from any other sage. With this text, the worshippers of Rama become extremely content.
7. There have been many great sages in the past. Many of them have expressed their thoughts in poetic style, however never has a greater poet than Valmiki ever lived in the past, nor will such a great sage come in the future.
8. Valmiki did many cruel deeds early in his life, but he became pure by repeating the name of Lord Rama. By repeating Rama's name with great faith and discipline, one becomes virtuous beyond limit.
9. Even though Valmiki repeated Rama's name in reverse order, the mountains of his past wrongful deeds crumbled, and the flags of his virtue were raised in the universe. (Valmiki was a thug in his early life and was unable to repeat the holy name of Rama, so he began to repeat it in reverse order, saying "Mara, Mara," which turns into Rama, Rama when said repeatedly again and again).
10. The forest where Valmiki performed his austerities became pure and full of virtue. Through the power of the repetition of Rama’s name, even dried wood began to sprout new shoots.
11. Early in his life he was a dangerous killer, and a fisherman going by the name Vali. Later in his life he became respected on earth by everyone, including learned men and sages.
12. When one turns away from all wrongful deeds in repentance, how can any wrongdoing remain? By intense spiritual practice that almost caused the death of his body, he became filled with virtue and was as if reborn.
13. He sat still in a meditation posture in one place and his body became encased in an anthill. Later in his life he became well known by the name Valmika which means "anthill".
14. Since an anthill is called valmik, the name Valmiki was appropriately suited for the sage. Seeing his rigorous penance even the greatest of the yogis and monks felt moved in their hearts.
15. He is the greatest among spiritual practitioners and the greatest among poets. He spoke in a clear and direct manner with firm conviction.
16. He is like the crown jewel of the devotees of Lord Rama. His exceptional one-pointedness of concentration and his resolve in spiritual practice inspires aspirants to remain steadfast in their faith.
17. Blessed is the great sage Valmiki, the powerful lord of poets. I salute him laying spread out in full prostration.
18. Had Valmiki not told the great story of Rama, the world would not have the Ramayana. I don’t know how to adequately describe this most powerful sage.
19. He expressed and revealed the glory and fame of Rama, and thus enhanced His greatness. Devotees become greatly contented by listening to the Ramayana.
20. Many lives have become fulfilled by becoming immersed in praising Lord Rama. Many people on earth have become uplifted by what Valmiki has done.
21. There are many great devotees of Lord Rama whose grandeur is limitless. Ramdas says, "I bow at the feet of all the great devotees of Rama."