Once upon a time, a robber lived in a forest. His name was Ratna. He used to rob people and also kill them. People were always afraid of him. No one dared to walk in that forest alone. One day Narada Muni was passing through the forest. Ratna came forward to attack him

People who used to see Ratna used to run for their lives. Narada Muni feared no person. He faced Ratna. Narada Muni asked him why he robbed and killed people. This is cruel deed. A person who kills others commits sin. He asked Ratna to stop his evil deeds. Ratna replied that if

he stopped his deeds, than how would he take care of his family. He had to support his old parents, his wife, and two children. How was he going to feed them? Nareada replied: “To look after your family you must work hard but no one in your family will pay for your bad deeds.

You will have to pay for them yourself.” The robber replied: “Strange! I am doing these bad deeds for their good. They must pay for all the bad deeds I am doing now.” Narada Muni replied: “No, go and ask your people if they will be prepared to pay for your sins.”

Ratna tied Narada Muni to a tree, and went home to ask his mother and father. They told him: “Son, when you were small and young, we brought you up until you were big enough to look after yourself. Now we are both old. It is your duty to look after us. Whatever will be the

fruits of your actions, you yourself would reap.” After his parents Ratnakara went to his wife and told her" I a supporting you with all necessary wealth, cloth and jewelry. Are you ready prepared to suffer in hell in next life for sins i am doing for your maintenance?"You fool!

spoke his wife. It is your duty to look after me. Whatever will be the fruits of your actions, you yourself would reap. I will not go in hell and suffer for you.Hoping that his children are better he went to them and spoke " My dear children I have given my life for you.

I am maintaining and supporting you with whatever you neeed. Are you ready prepared to suffer in hell in next life for sins I am doing for your maintenance?No way father! spoke his children. It is your duty to look after us, you are our father. Whatever will be the fruits of

your actions, you yourself would reap. We have life to live, not to go in hell and suffer for you!Having heard his parents, wife and children, Ratna realized his mistakes. He set Narada Muni free. He fell on his knees and asked for forgiveness. Narada Muni advised him to

follow the path of goodness. Ratna began to follow his dharma. Later on Ratna, the robber, became a great saint. He is now known as a great sage Valmiki Muni