Shloka 1.3.8
तृतीयः सर्गः (Bālakāṇḍa 3): Vālmīki’s Yogic Verification and the Epic Synopsis
तत्सर्वं तत्त्वतो दृष्ट्वा धर्मेण स महाद्युति: ।अभिरामस्य रामस्य चरितं कर्तुमुद्यत: ।।1.3.7।। कामार्थगुणसंयुक्तं धर्मार्थगुणविस्तरम् ।समुद्रमिव रत्नाढ्यं सर्वश्रुतिमनोहरम् ।।1.3.8।।
tat sarvaṃ tattvato dṛṣṭvā dharmeṇa sa mahādyutiḥ |
abhirāmasya rāmasya caritaṃ kartum udyataḥ || 1.3.7 ||
kāmārthaguṇasaṃyuktaṃ dharmārthaguṇavistaram |
samudram iva ratnāḍhyaṃ sarvaśrutimanoharam || 1.3.8 ||
Having seen the whole truth through dharma, the radiant sage set about composing the life of delightful Rama—an ocean of jewel-like virtues, integrating artha and kāma while unfolding the excellences of dharma and life’s aims, pleasing to every listener.
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.
The epic is framed as dharma-centered instruction: worldly pursuits become meaningful when harmonized under dharma.
This is a numbered repetition/continuation of the prior idea: Valmiki’s readiness to compose Rama’s story as a complete, value-rich narrative.
Valmiki’s discernment: presenting a balanced human life (artha/kāma) without losing dharma’s primacy.