Shloka 4.19.3

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

Devanagari script

तं भार्या बाणमोक्षेण रामदत्तेन संयुगे।हतं प्लवगशार्दूलं तारा शुश्राव वालिनम्।।

Transliteration

avaṣṭabhya ca tiṣṭhantaṃ dadarśa dhanuruttamam || rāmaṃ rāmānujaṃ caiva bhartuś caivānujaṃ śubhā |

Translation

That noble lady, Tārā, saw Rāma standing firm, leaning upon his excellent bow—along with Rāma’s younger brother, and also her husband’s younger brother, Sugrīva.

Context

Tara, wife of Vali, heard that her husband, tiger among monkeys, was killed in the battle by the arrow discharged by Rama.

Characters & Entities

• Tārā
• Rāma
• Lakṣmaṇa
• Sugrīva
• Bow (dhanuḥ)

FAQs

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

Dharma is tied to accountability: the agents connected to a grave outcome stand present and visible. The verse sets the stage for moral scrutiny—actions in dharma must be answerable to those affected.

What is the narrative situation?

Tārā arrives and sees Rāma with Lakṣmaṇa and Sugrīva near the site of Vāli’s death.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Steadiness and resolve (dhṛti) in Rāma’s posture, contrasted with Tārā’s impending grief.