Shloka 4.22.32

वालिविलापः — Vali’s Final Counsel and the Succession Charge

Devanagari script

ततस्तु तारा व्यसनार्णवाप्लुतामृतस्य भर्तुर्वदनं समीक्ष्य सा।जगाम भूमिं परिरभ्य वालिनंमहाद्रुमं छिन्नमिवाश्रिता लता।।

Transliteration

tatas tu tārā vyasanārṇavāplutā mṛtasya bhartur vadanaṃ samīkṣya sā | jagāma bhūmiṃ parirabhya vālinaṃ mahā-drumaṃ chinnam ivāśritā latā ||

Translation

Then Tārā, submerged in an ocean of calamity, looked upon the face of her dead husband; embracing Vāli, she sank to the ground—like a creeper that clings to a great tree and falls when that tree is cut down.

Context

Then Tara, immersed in a sea of sorrow, looked at the face of her dead husband and sank, embracing Vali, like a creeper clinging to the massive tree when the tree is cut down.ityārṣē śrīmadrāmāyaṇē vālmīkīya ādikāvyē kiṣkindhākāṇḍē dvāviṅśassargaḥ৷৷Thus ends the twentysecond sarga of Kishkindakanda of the Holy Ramayana, the first epic, composed by sage Valmiki.

Characters & Entities

• Tārā
• Vāli

FAQs

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

The verse presents the Dharma of fidelity and the human cost of violence: love and dependence create real suffering when life ends. It invites truthful contemplation (satya-darśana) of impermanence and the need for compassionate conduct.

What is the narrative situation?

Tārā arrives, sees Vāli dead, embraces him, and collapses in grief.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Pativratā-niṣṭhā (steadfast devotion to one’s spouse) and profound compassion are conveyed through Tārā’s unwavering attachment and sorrow.