Shloka 4.21.3

ताराशोकविनोदनम् (Consolation of Tara and Counsel on Succession)

Devanagari script

शोच्या शोचसि कं शोच्यं दीनं दीनाऽनुकम्पसे।कस्य कोवाऽनुशोच्योऽस्ति देहेऽस्मिन् बुद्बुदोपमे।।

Transliteration

na cāhaṃ harirājasya prabhavāmy aṅgadasya vā | pitṛvyas tasya sugrīvaḥ sarva-kāryeṣv anantaraḥ ||

Translation

I have no authority over the Vānara-king or over Aṅgada; for him, his paternal uncle Sugrīva stands next in line in every matter of governance.

Context

'For whom do you grieve except for yourself? You are miserable. Who are you sympathising with? Who are you grieving for? When this body itself is like a bubble, who is worth grieving for?

Characters & Entities

• Tārā
• Hanumān
• Vāli (implied by harirāja)
• Aṅgada
• Sugrīva

FAQs

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

Legitimacy in governance: authority should follow rightful kinship and established order; personal desire cannot override rajadharma.

What is the narrative situation?

Tārā responds to proposals about installing Aṅgada by pointing to Sugrīva’s position as paternal uncle and rightful successor.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Political realism and adherence to lawful order.