Shloka 1.3.9
तृतीयः सर्गः (Bālakāṇḍa 3): Vālmīki’s Yogic Verification and the Epic Synopsis
स यथा कथितं पूर्वं नारदेन महर्षिणा ।रघुवंशस्य चरितं चकार भगवानृषिः ।।।।
sa yathā kathitaṃ pūrvaṃ nāradena maharṣiṇā |
raghuvaṃśasya caritaṃ cakāra bhagavān ṛṣiḥ ||
Just as the great sage Nārada had earlier related it, the divine rishi composed the sacred history of the Raghu lineage, with Rāma at its heart.
The divine sage, composed the history of Rama born in the race of Raghu, just as it was related by the illustrious sage Narada in the past.
Dharma is preserved through faithful transmission: the poet anchors his composition in an authorized, truthful account received from a sage.
Valmiki begins composing the Ramayana in accordance with Narada’s earlier narration.
Valmiki’s fidelity to truth and source-tradition (accurate itihāsa-making).