Shloka 4.35.23

तारोपदेशः — Tara’s Counsel to Lakshmana (Restraint, Time, and Mobilization)

Devanagari script

तव हि मुखमिदं निरीक्ष्य कोपात्क्षतजनिभे नयने निरीक्षमाणाः।हरिवरवनिता न यान्ति शान्तिंप्रथमभयस्य हि शङ्कितास्तु सर्वाः।।।।

Transliteration

tava hi mukham idaṃ nirīkṣya kopāt kṣata-janibhe nayane nirīkṣamāṇāḥ | harivara-vanitā na yānti śāntiṃ prathama-bhayasya hi śaṅkitās tu sarvāḥ ||

Translation

Seeing your face inflamed with anger, and watching your eyes, red as if with blood, the wives of the foremost monkeys cannot regain peace; all of them are anxious, fearing a repetition of the earlier terror.

Context

'Looking at your angry countenance with blood-red eyes, the wives of the foremost of monkeys are frightened by the possibility of similar danger of the past (of Vali's death) and do not find peace of mind.'ityārṣē śrīmadrāmāyaṇē vālmīkīya ādikāvyē kiṣkindhākāṇḍē pañcatriṅśassargaḥ৷৷Thus ends the thirtyfifth sarga in Kishkindakanda of the first epic, the Holy Ramayana composed by sage Valmiki.

Characters & Entities

• Tārā
• Lakṣmaṇa
• harivara-vanitāḥ (wives of the monkey-chiefs)
• Vāli (implied by 'earlier fear'—memory of Vāli’s death)

FAQs

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

Dharma here stresses restraint of anger: a leader’s visible wrath creates fear in innocents and destabilizes the community; self-control protects social peace.

What is the narrative situation?

Tārā addresses Lakṣmaṇa, urging him to temper his anger toward Sugrīva; the palace women are alarmed, recalling past violence (Vāli’s death) and fear renewed danger.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Tārā’s prudence and diplomatic compassion: she reads the emotional atmosphere and prioritizes calm, safety, and dharmic conduct over escalation.