Shloka 4.23.18

ताराविलापः (Tārā’s Lament over Vāli)

Devanagari script

तस्य निष्कृष्यमाणस्य बाणस्य च बभौ द्युतिः।अस्तमस्तकसंरुद्धो रश्मिर्दिनकरादिव।।

Transliteration

udvavarha śaraṁ nīlas tasya gātragataṁ tadā | girigahvarasaṁlīnaṁ dīptam āśīviṣaṁ yathā ||

Translation

Then Nīla, with great effort, drew out the arrow lodged in his body—like pulling a blazing serpent hidden within a mountain cave.

Context

As the arrrow(drenched in blood) was being pulled out, its glow looked like the Sun's rays obstructed by the peak of the western mountain.

Characters & Entities

• Nīla
• Vāli

FAQs

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

Dharma appears as dutiful service to one’s fallen leader: even in chaos, companions act with resolve to do what must be done.

What is the narrative situation?

After Vāli falls, the vānara Nīla removes the embedded arrow from Vāli’s body with great effort.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Courage and steadiness—Nīla performs a grim, difficult act without wavering.