Shloka 4.23.20

ताराविलापः (Tārā’s Lament over Vāli)

Devanagari script

अवकीर्णं विमार्जन्ती भर्तारं रणरेणुना।अस्रैर्नयनजैश्शूरं सिषेचास्त्रसमाहतम्।।

Transliteration

avakīrṇaṁ vimārjantī bhartāraṁ raṇareṇunā | asrair nayanajaiḥ śūraṁ siṣecāstrasamāhatam ||

Translation

She wiped her husband, dust-covered from battle; and the heroic one, struck by a weapon, she bathed with the tears that flowed from her eyes.

Context

She (Tara) wiped the body wounded with the weapon and covered with war-dust, sprinkling her tear drops from her eyes.

Characters & Entities

• Tārā
• Vāli

FAQs

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

Dharma is shown as compassionate duty: caring for the fallen, honoring relational obligations, and responding to suffering with tenderness rather than cruelty.

What is the narrative situation?

Tārā physically tends to Vāli’s dust-covered, weapon-wounded body, wiping him and wetting him with her tears.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Karunā (compassion) and fidelity—Tārā’s devoted care continues even at the edge of death.