Introduction
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.
Verse 1 & 2a
राम चाप विसृष्टेन शरेण अंतकरेण तम् |
दृष्ट्वा विनिहतम् भूमौ तारा ताराधिप आनना || ४-२०-१
सा समासाद्य भर्तारम् पर्यष्वजत भामिनी |
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]
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.
Verse 2 & 3
इषुणा अभिहतम् दृष्ट्वा वालिनम् कुंजरोपमम् || ४-२०-२
वानरम् पर्वत इन्द्र आभम् शोक संतप्त मानसा |
तारा तरुम् इव उन्मूलम् पर्यदेवयत् आतुरा || ४-२०-३
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]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]
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.
Verse 4
रणे दारुण विक्रान्त प्रवीर प्लवताम् वर |
किम् इदीनाम् पुरो भागाम् अद्य त्वम् न अभिभाषसे || ४-२०-४
“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]
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.
Verse 5
उत्तिष्ठ हरि शार्दूल भजस्व शयन उत्तमम् |
न एवम् विधाः शेरते हि भूमौ नृपति सत्तमाः || ४-२०-५
“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]
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.
Verse 6
अतीव खलु ते कांता वसुधा वसुधाधिप |
गत असुर् अपि ताम् गात्रैः माम् विहाय निषेवसे || ४-२०-६
“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]
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.
Verse 7
व्यक्तम् अद्य त्वया वीर धर्मतः संप्रवर्तता |
किष्किंधा इव पुरी रम्या स्वर्ग मार्गे विनिर्मिता || ४-२०-७
“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]
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.
Verse 8
यानि अस्माभिः त्वया सार्धम् वनेषु मधु गंधिषु |
विहृतानि त्वया काले तेषाम् उपरमः कृतः || ४-२०-८
“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]
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.
Verse 9
निरानंदा निराशा अहम् निमग्ना शोक सागरे |
त्वयि पंचत्वम् आपन्ने महायूथप यूथपे || ४-२०-९
“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]
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.
Verse 10
हृदयम् सुस्थिरम् मह्यम् दृष्ट्वा विनिहतम् भुवि |
यन् न शोक अभिसंतप्तम् स्फुटते अद्य सहस्रधा || ४-२०-१०
“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]
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.
Verse 11
सुग्रीवस्य त्वया भार्या हृता स च विवासितः |
यत् तत् तस्य त्वया व्युष्टिः प्राप्ता इयम् प्लवगाधिप || ४-२०-११
“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]
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.
Verse 12
निःश्रेयस परा मोहात् त्वया च अहम् विगर्हिता |
या एषा अब्रुवम् हितम् वाक्यम् वानरेन्द्र हित एषिणी || ४-२०-१२
“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]
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.
Verse 13
रूप यौवन दृप्तानाम् दक्षिणानाम् च मानद |
नूनम् अप्सरसाम् आर्य चित्तानि प्रमथिष्यसि || ४-२०-१३
“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]
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.
Verse 14
कालो निःसंशयो नूनम् जीवित अंतकरः तव |
बलात् येन अवपन्नो असि सुग्रीवस्य अवशो वशम् || ४-२०-१४
“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.
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.
Verse 15
अस्थाने वालिनम् हत्वा युध्यमानम् परेण च |
न संतप्यति काकुत्स्थः कृत्वा सुगर्हितम् || ४-२०-१५
“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]
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.
Verse 16
वैधव्यम् शोक संतापम् कृपणम् अकृपणा सती |
अदुह्ख उपचिता पूर्वम् वर्तयिष्यामि अनाथवत् || ४-२०-१६
“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]
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.
Verse 17
लालितः च अंगदो वीरः सुकुमारः सुखोचितः |
वत्स्यते काम् अवस्थाम् मे पितृव्ये क्रोध मूर्च्छिते || ४-२०-१७
“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]
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.
Verse 18
कुरुष्व पितरम् पुत्र सुदृष्टम् धर्म वत्सलम् |
दुर्लभम् दर्शनम् तस्य तव वत्स भविष्यति || ४-२०-१८
“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]
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.]
Verse 19
समाश्वासय पुत्रम् त्वम् संदेशम् संदिशस्व मे |
मूर्ध्नि च एनम् समाघ्राय प्रवासम् प्रस्थितो हि असि || ४-२०-१९
“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]
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..
Verse 20
रामेण हि महत् कर्म कृतम् त्वाम् अभिनिघ्नता |
आनृण्यम् तु गतम् तस्य सुग्रीवस्य प्रतिश्रवे || ४-२०-२०
“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]
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.
Verse 21
सकामो भव सुग्रीव रुमाम् त्वम् प्रतिपत्स्यसे |
भुंक्ष्व राज्यम् अनुद्विग्नः शस्तो भ्राता रिपुः तव || ४-२०-२१
“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]
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.
Verse 22
किम् माम् एवम् प्रलपतीम् प्रियाम् त्वम् न अभिभाषसे |
इमाः पश्य वरा बह्वयः भार्याः ते वानरेश्वर || ४-२०-२२
“”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]
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.
Verse 23
तस्या विलपितम् श्रुत्वा वानर्यः सर्वतः च ताः |
परिगृह्य अंगदम् दीना दुह्ख आर्ताः परिचुक्रुशुः || ४-२०-२३
On listening Tara’s lamentation the vanara females that are around became plaintive, saddened pitiably and wept piteously embracing Angada. [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.
Verse 24
किम् अंगदम् स अंगद वीर बाहो
विहाय यातो असि अद्य चिरम् प्रवासम् |
न युक्तम् एवम् गुण संनिकृष्टम्
विहाय पुत्रम् प्रिय पुत्रम् प्रिय चारु वेषम् || ४-२०-२४
“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]
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.
Verse 25
यदि अप्रियम् किंचिद् असंप्रधार्य
कृतम् मया स्यात् तव दीर्घ बाहो |
क्षमस्व मे तत् हरि वंश नाथ
व्रजामि मूर्ध्ना तव वीर पादौ || ४-२०-२५
“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]
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.
Verse 26
तथा तु तारा करुणम् रुदंती
भर्तुः समीपे सह वानरीभिः |
व्यवस्यत प्रायम् अनिन्द्य वर्णा
उपोपवेष्टुम् भुवि यत्र वाली || ४-२०-२६
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]
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.
