Valmiki (Sanskrit; ; Valmiki) is celebrated as the -poet in Sanskrit literature. The epic Ramayana, dated variously from 5th century BCE to first century BCE, is attributed to him, based on the attribution in the text itself. He is revered as the Adi Kavi, which translates to First Poet, because he is said to have invented shloka (i.e. first verse or epic metre), which set the base and defined the form to Sanskrit poetry.

Valmiki (Sanskrit; ; Valmiki) is celebrated as the -poet in Sanskrit literature. The epic Ramayana, dated variously from 5th century BCE to first century BCE, is attributed to him, based on the attribution in the text itself. He is revered as the Adi Kavi, which translates to First Poet, because he is said to have invented shloka (i.e. first verse or epic metre), which set the base and defined the form to Sanskrit poetry.