TARA

Contents

·          Introduction

·          Birth and Early Life

·           Vali’s duel

·           Tara’s advice

·           Death of Vali

·           Tara’s enlightenment

·           Marriage to Sugreeva

·           Tara’s Diplomacy

·          Conclusion

Introduction

One of the five Panchakanyas mentioned in Hinduism known for their purity and chastity was Tara, the wife of the Monkey King Vali and the Queen of Kishkindha in the Ramayana. She was known for her conviction, courage and intelligence. In the Kishkindha Kanda of the Ramayana she is portrayed as a strong woman and it is said that when Lakshmana was sent to remind Sugriva of his vow to help Rama in their search for Sita it was Tara who faced him bravely and pacified him.

Birth and Early life

There are various legends about the birth of Tara. According to the Ramayana, Tara was the daughter of Vanara physician, Sushena. In other legends, she was the daughter of Brihaspathi, the Guru of the Gods while Vali and Sugreeva were the sons of Indra and Surya respectively. In some others, Tara is said to have risen along with other Apsaras during the churning of the ocean by the Gods and demons when they wished to acquire Amrit or the nectar of immortality. In the Japanese tradition, Tara is the Apsara daughter of Indra and his wife, Wiyati. Some versions of the Ramayana state that Tara was given to both Vali and Sugreeva for helping the Gods while others state that Tara was to have been initially married to Sugreeva, but Vali snatched her and married her. All versions confirm that Angada was the son of Tara and Vali.

Vali’s duel

When Rama, Lakshmana and Sita went to the forest in exile for fourteen years, Sita was kidnapped by Ravana, the King of Lanka. While Rama and Lakshmana were wandering in the forest in search of her, they met the Vanara Hanuman, who took them to meet Sugreeva who was in exile. Rama formed an alliance with Sugreeva promising to defeat Sugreeva’s brother Vali and helping him to regain his kingdom. Sugreeva in return promised to help him in his search for Sita. Following Rama’s plan, Sugreeva challenged his brother Vali in a duel but Rama was unable to distinguish between the two brothers and consequently Sugreeva lost the duel. Then Sugreeva on Rama’s advice wore a garland and then challenged Vali again to a duel in which Rama hiding behind a tree, killed Vali.

Tara’s advice

When Sugreeva returned to challenge Vali immediately after his defeat, Tara was suspicious about his immediate return wearing a garland and cautioned Vali. She had also heard about the friendship between Sugreeva and Rama and urged Vali to live peacefully with his brother Sugreeva by befriending him and making him Crown Prince. Vali recognised the wisdom of her words in facing Sugreeva once again but said that he was a warrior and hence could not refuse a challenge.

Death of Vali

Ignoring Tara’s advice, Vali rushed to meet the challenge. During the combat, Rama shot an arrow from behind and wounded Vali fatally. Hearing the news, Tara rushed to see him and reproached Sugreeva and Rama while lamenting Vali’s death. It is said that Vali had also seized Sugreeva’s wife Ruma and Tara realised that Vali’s death was a punishment for exiling Sugreeva and seizing his wife. Some legends of Ramayana state that Tara inconsolable in her grief invoked the power of her purity and chastity and cursed Rama that after regaining Sita he would lose her and that in his next birth Rama would be killed by Vali. This fructified when in the next Avatar Krishna was killed by a hunter who was Vali reborn. Rama had divined the result of his next birth and hence was unperturbed by the curse. He also knew that through a boon Vali could never be defeated in combat as anyone who fought him would have half their strength transferred to Vali. Rama is said to have consoled Tara with words of solace and requested her to accept the preordained destiny. Before dying, Vali asked Rama to ensure that Tara was taken care of and acknowledged her wisdom by asking Sugreeva to heed her advice. Rama assured him of taking care of Angada and is said to have preached to her the truth of life and death, soul and other concepts. Rama is also said to have given Upadesha and granted moksha to Vali.

Tara’s enlightenment

In Tulsidas’s and Valmiki’s Ramayana as Tara was devoted to Rama in a previous birth, Tara is said to have gained enlightenment and wisdom from Rama. She then helped Angada and Sugreeva in performing the last rites of Vali.

Marriage to Sugreeva

In the Ramayana, it is mentioned that Sugreeva was crowned King and he married Tara. A number of reasons have been stated for this act. Tara served Sugreeva loyally who in turn took good care of Angada.

Tara’s diplomacy

After Sugreeva had become King, he became involved in material pleasures and forgot his promise to Rama. Rama then sent Lakshmana to remind him of his promise. Lakshmana entered Kishkinda with great anger and Sugreeva realising his mistake was apprehensive of facing him. However, the wise Tara extolled the glories of Rama and pacified Lakshmana by informing him that emissaries had been sent in all directions and the results were being awaited. It was only due to her tact and diplomacy with Lakshmana that a crisis was averted and Lakshmana’s anger abated.

Conclusion

Tara was an epitome of grace, beauty and purity and is said to be an icon of Indian womanhood whose devotion and dedication to duty was exemplary. As one of the Panchakanyas she is venerated and her story in all versions of the Ramayana is said to inspire women to cultivate the ideal qualities to lead them on the path of truth and realisation.