Shloka 4.19.14

ताराविलापः — Tara’s Lament and Counsel after Vali’s Fall

Devanagari script

रक्ष्यतां नगरद्वारमङ्गदश्चाभिषिच्यताम्।पदस्थं वालिनः पुत्रं भजिष्यन्ति प्लवङ्गमाः।।

Transliteration

rakṣyatāṃ nagaradvāram aṅgadaś cābhiṣicyatām | padasthaṃ vālinaḥ putraṃ bhajiṣyanti plavaṅgamāḥ ||

Translation

“Let the city-gate be secured, and let Aṅgada be consecrated. When Vāli’s son is established in the royal station, the monkeys will serve him.”

Context

'Let the gate of the city be shut and Vali's son be consecrated as king. All the monkeys will serve him when he assumes power.

Characters & Entities

• Aṅgada
• Vāli
• Kishkindhā (implied city)
• vānaras (plavaṅgamas)

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

Rājadharma: safeguarding the city and ensuring orderly succession so the community does not fall into lawlessness during a leadership crisis.

What is the narrative situation?

With Vāli near death, some vānaras urge immediate defensive measures and propose consecrating Aṅgada to stabilize Kishkindhā.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Prudence and political foresight—prioritizing public safety and continuity of governance.