Shloka 4.19.24

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

Devanagari script

अर्चितं सर्वलोकस्य सपताकं सवेदिकम्।।नागहेतोस्सुपर्णेन चैत्यमुन्मथितं यथा।

Transliteration

sā saputrāpriyaṃ śrutvā vadhaṃ bhartuḥ sudāruṇam | niṣpapāta bhṛśaṃ tasmād vividhā girigahvarāt ||

Translation

Hearing the grievous, unwelcome tidings—her husband’s terrible slaying—Tārā, with her son, rushed out in great distress from that mountain cave.

Context

Vali looked like a chaitya (a tree of worship) having a banner and altar and reverentially worshipped by the entire world, but destroyed by Garuda on account of a serpent (hidden in it). (Here Rama is Garuda, Sugriva, serpent and Vali a sacred Chaitya)

Characters & Entities

• Tārā
• Aṅgada
• Mountain cave (girigahvara)

FAQs

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

Dharma is shown as relational duty: a spouse’s immediate response is care and presence in crisis. The epic treats fidelity and familial responsibility as forms of righteousness.

What is the narrative situation?

Tārā, hearing that Vāli has been killed, hurries out of the cave with her son to reach him.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Steadfast devotion and courage in grief—Tārā does not withdraw but moves toward the scene of suffering.