Shloka 26
ताराविलापः
Tara’s Lament over Vāli
tathā tu tārā karuṇaṁ rudantī bhartuḥ samīpe saha vānarībhiḥ | vyavasyata prāyam upopaveṣṭum anindyavarṇā bhuvi yatra vālī ||
Pagkaraan, si Tārā—na walang kapintasan ang ganda—ay umiyak sa malalim na habag at umupo sa lupa sa tabi ng kanyang asawa na si Vāli, kasama ang iba pang mga babaeng unggoy, na nagpasiyang magsagawa ng prāya, pag-aayunong hanggang kamatayan, at tinalikuran ang pagkain at inumin.
Beautiful Tara crying pathetically sat near her husband along with other female monkeys on the ground, determined to abstain from food and drink, awaiting death.ityārṣē śrīmadrāmāyaṇē vālmīkīya ādikāvyē kiṣkindhākāṇḍē viṅśassargaḥ৷৷Thus ends the twentieth sarga of Kishkindakanda of the Holy Ramayana, the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.
FAQs
The verse highlights the intensity of spousal loyalty and grief; Tārā’s resolve for prāya reflects a traditional (though emotionally driven) ideal of unwavering attachment to one’s husband. It also implicitly warns how sorrow can push one toward extreme vows, raising the dharmic need for counsel and restraint from the community.
After Vāli has fallen, Tārā reaches him with the other she-monkeys, weeps, and sits by his side, deciding to fast—renouncing food and drink—as if awaiting death.
Tārā’s steadfast devotion and single-minded resolve (niścaya), though expressed through grief, is emphasized.