Shloka 4.23.12

ताराविलापः (Tārā’s Lament over Vāli)

Devanagari script

पतिहीना तु या नारी कामं भवतु पुत्रिणी।धनधान्यैस्सुपूर्णाऽपि विधवेत्युच्यते बुधैः।।

Transliteration

patihīnā tu yā nārī kāmaṃ bhavatu putriṇī | dhana-dhānyaiḥ supūrṇāpi vidhavety ucyate budhaiḥ ||

Translation

A woman without a husband—though she may have sons, and even if she is filled with wealth and grain—still, the wise call her a widow.

Context

'Even if a woman without husband, is blessed with sons and abundant wealth and grain, still learned people call her a widow.

Characters & Entities

• Tārā
• Vāli
• vidhavā (widowhood as a social state)

FAQs

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

It reflects social-dharma as perceived in the epic world: marital status defines a woman’s social identity regardless of material prosperity.

What is the narrative situation?

Tārā, now bereft of Vāli, articulates the harsh truth that wealth or children cannot remove the designation of widowhood.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Satya (truthfulness) in grief—she voices an uncomfortable social reality without embellishment.