Tara's lamentation for her departing husband Vali. She unlike other forest beings who just forsake the dead partner, weeps bitterly for Vali and holds Sugreeva and Rama responsible for the untimely death of Vali. The common nature of humans is portrayed through the Vanara empress.
rāma cāpa visṛṣṭena śareṇa aṃtakareṇa tam |
dṛṣṭvā vinihatam bhūmau tārā tārādhipa ānanā || 4-20-1
sā samāsādya bhartāram paryaṣvajata bhāminī |
1, 2a. taara adhipa aananaa = stars, lord, faced one [having a lovely face like moon, Tara]; bhaaminii = resentful lady; saa taaraa = such as she is, that Tara; raama caapa visR^iSTena = Rama's, bow, released; antakareNa shareNa = terminator [like,] with arrow; vinihatam = fallen down; tam bhartaaram bhuumau dR^iSTvaa = him, that husband, on floor, on seeing; samaasaadya paryaSvajata = reached, and embraced.
On seeing her husband felled to ground with a terminator like arrow released by Rama, that resentful lady Tara whose face is lovely like the moon, reached and embraced him. [4-20-1]
iṣuṇā abhihatam dṛṣṭvā vālinam kuṃjaropamam || 4-20-2
vānaram parvata indra ābham śoka saṃtapta mānasā |
tārā tarum iva unmūlam paryadevayat āturā || 4-20-3
2b, 3. iSuNaa abhihatam = by arrow, shot down; kunjara upamam = elephant, in simile; parvata indra aabham = [like] mountain, best one, in shine; unmuulam tarum iva = uprooted, tree, like; vaanaram vaalinam dR^iSTvaa = vanara, at Vali, on seeing; taaraa aaturaa = Tara, agonised; shoka samtapta maanasaa = by grief, scorched, with heart; paryadevayat = wailed fretfully.
Tara is agonised when she saw the elephantine and mountainous vanara, namely Vali, reduced to no more than an uprooted tree, and she wailed fretfully with grief scorching heart. [4-20-2b, 3]
raṇe dāruṇa vikrānta pravīra plavatām vara |
kim idīnām puro bhāgām adya tvam na abhibhāṣase || 4-20-4
4. raNe daaruNa = in fight, a stern one; vikraanta = victorious one; pra viira = best, valiant; plavataam vara = among fliers, the best; idiinaam = now - so far; puraH bhaagaam = before, you behind - not blamed you; a puraH bhaagam = not, before, your side [at your behind, I who never blamed you before or behind you]; such as I am; tvam kim adya na abhibhaaSase = you, why, now, not, greet - talk.
"Oh, stern one in fights, oh, victorious one, oh, best valiant, oh, best flier, I have never blamed you either in your presence or in your absence, why do not you talk to me now? [4-20-4]
uttiṣṭha hari śārdūla bhajasva śayana uttamam |
na evam vidhāḥ śerate hi bhūmau nṛpati sattamāḥ || 4-20-5
5. hari shaarduula uttiSTha = oh, monkey, the tiger, arise; bhajasva shayana uttamam = take, bed, best one; evam vidhaaH nR^ipati sattamaaH = this, kind of, by kings, the best; bhuumau na sherate hi = on soil, will not, repose, isn't it.
"Arise, oh, tigerly monkey, you have to make use of a best bed as best kings will not on repose on soil in this way, isn't it. [4-20-5]
atīva khalu te kāṃtā vasudhā vasudhādhipa |
gata asur api tām gātraiḥ mām vihāya niṣevase || 4-20-6
6. vasudhaa adhipa = land, lord - oh, king; te vasudhaa atiiva kaantaa khalu = to you, earth, highly, cherished [darling,] indeed; gata asuH api = gone - drained, lives, though; maam vihaaya = me, leaving off; gaatraiH taam niSevase = with limbs, her, you adore - embrace.
"The earth seems to be a highly cherished darling of yours, oh, lord of the land, as you still embrace her with your limbs leaving me off, even when your lives are drained. [4-20-6]
These dialogs of Tara are not statements of facts but a kind of question like imperatives as, "Is this earth a highly cherished darling of yours than me, that is why you still cling to her leaving me off, am I that bad..." "Have you built a heavenly city in the pathway of heaven and you go there leaving me, am I unfit to come with you..." and the like.
vyaktam adya tvayā vīra dharmataḥ saṃpravartatā |
kiṣkiṃdhā iva purī ramyā svarga mārge vinirmitā || 4-20-7
7. viira = oh, valiant one; dharmataH = righteously; sampravartataa [sam pra vartataa] = who conducts himself; tvayaa = by you; adya kiSkindhaa iva = now, Kishkindha, like; ramyaa purii = delightful, city; svarga maarge = to heaven, on path; vi nirmitaa = well built; vyaktam = it is evident.
"It is evident that you, who conduct yourself righteously, must have built a Kishkindha-like delightful city in the pathway to heaven by your leaving lovely Kishkindha. [4-20-7]
yāni asmābhiḥ tvayā sārdham vaneṣu madhu gaṃdhiṣu |
vihṛtāni tvayā kāle teṣām uparamaḥ kṛtaḥ || 4-20-8
8. tvayaa = by you; asmaabhiH saardham = with us, along with; madhu gandhiSu vaneSu = sweet smelling [or, with liquor, odour,] in forests; yaani vihR^itaani kaale = which, pleasure trips, in time - from time to time; teSaam uparamaH tvayaa kR^itaH = to them, stoppage - bring to an end, by you, made.
"You bring an end to the pleasure trips you made along with us in the sweet smelling forests from time to time by your departing. [4-20-8]
nirānaṃdā nirāśā aham nimagnā śoka sāgare |
tvayi paṃcatvam āpanne mahāyūthapa yūthape || 4-20-9
9. mahaa yuuthapa yuuthape = oh, great, chief, of chiefs [ of monkeys]; tvayi pancatvam aapanne = on you, fifth state, befallen; aham = I am; nir aanandaa = without, happiness; nir aashaa = without, hope; shoka saagare nimagnaa = sadness, sea, drowned.
"When this fifth state betiding you, oh, great chief of chiefs of monkeys, I am dejected, despaired and drowned in the sea of sadness. [4-20-9]
Where the preceding four states of living beings are, waking state, dream state, and the state of deep sleep. There is another undistinguished fourth called turriya. Death is the fifth one.
hṛdayam susthiram mahyam dṛṣṭvā vinihatam bhuvi |
yan na śoka abhisaṃtaptam sphuṭate adya sahasradhā || 4-20-10
10. mahyam = for me; hR^idayam su sthiram = heart is, very, sturdy; yat = why because; vinihatam bhuvi [patitam] = killed, on ground, [fallen you]; dR^iSTvaa = on seeing; shoka abhisamtaptam = in sorrow, tormented; adya = now; sahasradhaa na sphuTate = into thousand [splints,] not, splintering.
"My heart is very sturdy - perhaps, even on seeing you slain and fallen to ground, it is not splintering now into thousand splints, though it is tormented by sorrow. [4-20-10]
sugrīvasya tvayā bhāryā hṛtā sa ca vivāsitaḥ |
yat tat tasya tvayā vyuṣṭiḥ prāptā iyam plavagādhipa || 4-20-11
11. plavaga adhipa = oh, fliers, chief of; tvayaa = by you; yat = for which [reason]; sugriivasya = Sugreeva's; bhaaryaa hR^itaa = wife, snatched away; saH ca vivaasitaH = he, also, expelled [ from Kishkindha]; tat = by that reason; tvayaa = by you; tasya = of that [misdeed]; iyam vyuSTiH praaptaa = this, result, obtained.
"By which reason you have snatched away Sugreeva's wife, oh, chief of fliers, and even expelled him from Kishkindha, that is the reason why you got this result. [4-20-11]
niḥśreyasa parā mohāt tvayā ca aham vigarhitā |
yā eṣā abruvam hitam vākyam vānarendra hita eṣiṇī || 4-20-12
12. vaanara indra = oh, monkey, the best; niHshreyasa paraa = well-being, interested in; hita eSiNii = welfare, wishing; yaa = she who is; eSa = = this me; hitam vaakyam abruvam = beneficial, word, when said; aham tvayaa mohaat vi garhitaa = I, by you, unmindfully, refused - brushed me aside.
"I am she who said a beneficial word to you with an interest in your well-being and wishing your welfare, but oh, best monkey, you unmindfully brushed me off. [4-20-12]
rūpa yauvana dṛptānām dakṣiṇānām ca mānada |
nūnam apsarasām ārya cittāni pramathiṣyasi || 4-20-13
13. maana da = of honour, endower of; aarya = oh, honourable one; ruupa yauvana dR^iptaanaam = by beauty, by youthfulness, those who are proud of; dakshiNaanaam = by experts in romance; apsarasaam = celestial's, of apsara-s; cittaani = hearts; pramathiSyasi = you will stir up; nuunam = definitely.
"Oh, endower of honour, apsara-s, the celestial dancers, will be proud of their beauty, youthfulness, and expertise in romance, and oh, honourable one, you can stir up their hearts towards you by your gallantry, definite is that. [4-20-13]
kālo niḥsaṃśayo nūnam jīvita aṃtakaraḥ tava |
balāt yena avapanno asi sugrīvasya avaśo vaśam || 4-20-14
14. niH samshayaH = without, doubting - undoubtable; kaalaH = Time [or, death]; tava = for you; jiivita anta karaH = life, end, made [ended your life]; nuunam = definitely; yena = by which [Time/Death]; a vashaH = uncontrollable such as you are; balaat = perforce / capability; sugriivasya vasham ava pannaH asi = Sugreeva's, control, obtained [Time brought you down,] you are.
"The Time which is an undoubtable factor in respect of anybody has ended your life, definite is that, and that Time alone perforce brought you, who are otherwise an uncontrollable force, to the control of Sugreeva.
Or
The Death / Time no doubt has a concern with anyone for it is the ender of life, and definitely it chanced upon you by the capability of Sugreeva in getting support of Rama, and Sugreeva alone controlled you, who are otherwise an uncontrollable force. [4-20-14]
asthāne vālinam hatvā yudhyamānam pareṇa ca |
na saṃtapyati kākutsthaḥ kṛtvā sugarhitam || 4-20-15
15. kaakutsthaH = Rama; pareNa yudhyamaanam = with other, fighting; vaalinam = Vali; a sthaane = not, in proper place, or, in an unbefitting method; hatvaa = on killing; su garhitam [karma] = highly, deplorable [deed]; kR^itvaa = on doing; na sam tapyati = not, at all, worried.
"Rama's killing Vali when he is fighting with another is unbefitting in its method, and he too is not at all worried for doing such a highly deplorable deed. [4-20-15]
This verse is not found in some texts like critical edition and in Eastern recension etc.
vaidhavyam śoka saṃtāpam kṛpaṇam akṛpaṇā satī |
aduhkha upacitā pūrvam vartayiṣyāmi anāthavat || 4-20-16
16. puurvam = in early times - so far; a kR^ipaNam satii = not, doleful, I am; a duHkha upacitaa = not, sadness, accompanied with - not saddened; anaatha vat = desolated one, as with; kR^ipaNaa = dolefulness; vaidhavyam = widowhood; shoka samtaapam = sadness, seethed by; vartayiSyaami = I have to undergo.
"So far I am not doleful or saddened, but now as a desolate seethed by sorrow I have to undergo widowhood and dolefulness. [4-20-16]
lālitaḥ ca aṃgado vīraḥ sukumāraḥ sukhocitaḥ |
vatsyate kām avasthām me pitṛvye krodha mūrcchite || 4-20-17
17. pitR^ivye krodha muurcChite = when paternal-uncle, in fury, fit of; laalitaH = one who is raised fondly; sukumaaraH = graceful one; sukha ucitaH = for comforts, used to; viiraH = brave one; me angadaH = my, Angada; kaam avasthaam vatsyate = which, predicament, he undergoes.
"My Angada is raised fondly, a brave one with gracefulness and one who is accustomed to comforts, but which will be the predicament he has to undergo when his paternal-uncle Sugreeva gets into a fit of fury. [4-20-17]
kuruṣva pitaram putra sudṛṣṭam dharma vatsalam |
durlabham darśanam tasya tava vatsa bhaviṣyati || 4-20-18
18. putra = oh, son Angada; dharma vatsalam = virtue, patron of; tava pitaram = your, father; su dR^iSTam = one who is clearly seen; kuruSva = make - see your father clearly; vatsa = oh, boy; tasya darshanam durlabham bhaviSyati = his, sight, impossible, it will be [from now on.]
"Oh, son Angada, clearly see your father, a patron of virtue, oh, boy, later it is impossible to catch a glimpse of him." Thus Tara said to her son Angada. [4-20-18]
samāśvāsaya putram tvam saṃdeśam saṃdiśasva me |
mūrdhni ca enam samāghrāya pravāsam prasthito hi asi || 4-20-19
19. tvam putram = you, let son be; sam aashvaasaya = assuage - well, reassured; enam muurdhni samaaghraaya- him, on forehead, on smelling [kissing]; me samdesham samdishasva = to me, message, give; pravaasam prasthitaH asi hi = to another world, you started, you are, isn't it..
"You have started towards other world, isn't it, so reassure your son, kiss goodbye on his forehead, and give me your parting messages." So said Tara to Vali. [4-20-19]
rāmeṇa hi mahat karma kṛtam tvām abhinighnatā |
ānṛṇyam tu gatam tasya sugrīvasya pratiśrave || 4-20-20
20. tvaam = you; abhinighnataa [abhi ni ghnataa] = [when he] hit you down; raameNa mahat karma kR^itam hi = by Rama, great, deed, is done, really; sugriivasya pratishrave = to Sugreeva, [in the matter of] promise; tasya = his - Rama's; a nR^iNyam = no, debt - debtless; gatam tu = obtained, but.
"Really, Rama has not only done a great deed of hitting you down, but he also achieved indebtedness towards Sugreeva, both in a single promise. [4-20-20]
sakāmo bhava sugrīva rumām tvam pratipatsyase |
bhuṃkṣva rājyam anudvignaḥ śasto bhrātā ripuḥ tava || 4-20-21
21. sugriiva = oh, Sugreeva; sa kaamaH bhava = fulfilled, desires [with contentment,] you be; tvam rumaam prati patsyase = Ruma, you, again, you get; an udvignaH = un, ruffled; raajyam bhunkSva = kingdom, you wallow in; tava ripuH bhraataa shastaH = your, enemy, brother, is hushed - silenced.
"Now, you are to your heart's content Sugreeva as you regain your wife Ruma, you may even wallow in the kingdom unworriedly as your enemy-brother is silenced." So said Tara to Sugreeva. [4-20-21]
kim mām evam pralapatīm priyām tvam na abhibhāṣase |
imāḥ paśya varā bahvayaḥ bhāryāḥ te vānareśvara || 4-20-22
22. vaanara iishvara = oh, vanara-s, lord; evam = this way; pra lapatiim = highly, one who is prattling; priyaam = to dear one; maam = to me; tvam kim na abhi bhaaSase = you, why, not, talk to me; te bahvayaH varaaH bhaaryaaH = your, several, comely, wives; imaaH = here they are; pashya = you see.
""Oh, lord of monkeys, why do not you talk to me, the dear wife of yours, when I am prattling at length, by the way, several of your comely wives are here, they are here, see them." Thus Tara lamented. [4-20-22]
tasyā vilapitam śrutvā vānaryaḥ sarvataḥ ca tāḥ |
parigṛhya aṃgadam dīnā duhkha ārtāḥ paricukruśuḥ || 4-20-23
23. sarvataH = those that are around; taaH vaanaryaH = those, vanara females; tasyaa vilapitam shrutvaa = her [Tara's], lamentation, on listening; angadam parigR^ihya = Angada, on embracing; diinaa = becoming pathetic; duhkha aartaaH = saddened, pitiably; paricukrushuH = piteously wept.
On listening Tara's lamentation the vanara females that are around became plaintive, saddened pitiably and wept piteously embracing Angada. [4-20-23]
kim aṃgadam sa aṃgada vīra bāho
vihāya yāto asi adya ciram pravāsam |
na yuktam evam guṇa saṃnikṛṣṭam
vihāya putram priya putram priya cāru veṣam || 4-20-24
24. sa angada viira baahuH = with, bicep-lets, mighty, armed one [Vali]; priya putram angadam vihaaya = dear, son, Angada, on leaving; ciram pravaasam = eternal, abode; kim yaataH asi = why, going, you are; guNa samnikR^iSTam = with qualities, come close to - one with best aptitudes; priya caaru veSam = in pleasant, exquisite, getup; putram son [in such a getup]; vihaaya = on leaving; evam = this way of going; na yuktam = not, befitting.
"Oh, one with bracelets on your mighty arms, why you are going to an eternal abode leaving your dear son Angada? Your going away leaving such a son, who possesses best aptitudes that comes close to your abilities, and the one who always wears an exquisitely pleasant getup, is unbefitting. [4-20-24]
yadi apriyam kiṃcid asaṃpradhārya
kṛtam mayā syāt tava dīrgha bāho |
kṣamasva me tat hari vaṃśa nātha
vrajāmi mūrdhnā tava vīra pādau || 4-20-25
25. diirgha baaho = oh, long, armed one - masterful one; hari vamsha naatha = oh, monkeys, lineage, lord of; viira = oh, brave one; a sampradhaarya = not, discriminatingly; mayaa tava = by me, to you [with you]; a priyam = un, desirable; kimcit = in the lest; kR^itam syaat yadi = done, is there, if; me tat kSamasva = me, for that, pardon me; muurdhnaa tava paadau vrajaami = with forehead, at your, two feet, I am going - I bow down.
"If I have done any undesirable deed in an indiscriminate way, even in the least, I may be pardoned for that, and here I bow down at your feet... oh, masterful one... oh, the lord of monkeys lineage... oh, brave one... [Thus Tara wept for Vali.] [4-20-25]
tathā tu tārā karuṇam rudaṃtī
bhartuḥ samīpe saha vānarībhiḥ |
vyavasyata prāyam anindya varṇā
upopaveṣṭum bhuvi yatra vālī || 4-20-26
26. a nindya varNaa = un, blemished, complexion - one with; taaraa = Tara; bhartuH samiipe = husband's, in proximity; vaanariibhiH saha = female Vanara-s, along with; tathaa = that way; karuNam rudantii = pitiably, weeping; vaalii yatra = Vali, where he is; bhuvi = [there] on ground; praayam = death; upa upaveSTum = to sit nearby of [death, self-immolation]; vyavasyata [vi ava syata] = she dropped down.
That Tara with her unblemished complexion is seated in the close proximity of her husband along with other vanara females, and weeping pitiably in that way, she decided to self-immolate, and thus she flounced down onto ground where Vali is slouching. [4-20-26]
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iti vālmīki rāmāyaṇe ādi kāvye kiṣkindha kāṇḍe viṃśaḥ sargaḥ
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© 2002, Desiraju Hanumanta Rao [Revised : June 04]