Shloka 1.3.7
तृतीयः सर्गः (Bālakāṇḍa 3): Vālmīki’s Yogic Verification and the Epic Synopsis
तत्सर्वं तत्त्वतो दृष्ट्वा धर्मेण स महाद्युति: ।अभिरामस्य रामस्य चरितं कर्तुमुद्यत: ।।।।कामार्थगुणसंयुक्तं धर्मार्थगुणविस्तरम् ।समुद्रमिव रत्नाढ्यं सर्वश्रुतिमनोहरम् ।।।।
tat sarvaṃ tattvato dṛṣṭvā dharmeṇa sa mahādyutiḥ |
abhirāmasya rāmasya caritaṃ kartum udyataḥ ||
kāmārthaguṇasaṃyuktaṃ dharmārthaguṇavistaram |
samudram iva ratnāḍhyaṃ sarvaśrutimanoharam ||
Having seen the whole truth through dharma, that radiant sage prepared to compose the life of delightful Rama—endowed with the values of kāma and artha, expansive in the virtues of dharma and life’s aims—like an ocean rich with gems, enchanting to all who hear it.
Highly resplendent Valmiki, having visualised the story (of Rama), with his power of penance and blending the merits of attainment of worldly prosperity and pleasures together with the detailed description of the merit of righteousness as an end and aim, like an ocean filled with gems, got ready to compose the story of delightful Rama which regales everybody's ears.
Dharma is the organizing principle of the epic: the narrative is composed to illuminate righteous living while integrating worldly aims (artha, kāma) under dharma’s guidance.
After his yogic vision, Valmiki resolves to compose Rama’s carita as a comprehensive, listener-delighting itihāsa.
Valmiki’s responsibility as a poet-sage: truthful vision (tattvataḥ) and ethical framing (dharmeṇa) in composition.