Written by Bhu__2007

Daughter of Vaidhya Sushen, wife of monkey king Vali, mother of Angad, Queen of Kishkinda, one among the Panchakanya. She is TARA!

Tara, meaning star in Sanskrit, was the daughter of vaidhya Sushen. In some versions of Ramayan, she is also referred to as the daughter of Brihaspati.

There are many versions of Tara's marriage. One version says that, Tara was married to Vali only. Another states that Tara was married to Sugriva but was snatched by Vali. One more state that Tara was gifted to Vali and Sugriva for helping the Gods. The other version states that there was polyandrous relationship between Tara, Vali and Sugriva.

Considering all these versions too, Angad was born to Vali and Tara.

In the Ramayana, Vali goes to fight the demon Mayavi in a cave and instructs Sugriva to close the door of the cave if blood flows out from the cave, implying that he has been killed, but if milk flows out, it indicates that Mayavi is dead. After around a year of combat, the dying demon turns the colour of his milky blood to red by sorcery.

Sugriva believes that Vali is dead and closes the only opening to the cave. Sugriva also appropriates Vali's 'widow' Tara. After Vali returns, rejecting Sugriva's explanation, he exiles Sugriva and not only re-acquires Tara but also seizes Ruma, Sugriva's wife, in retaliation. While Vali's act of usurping Ruma when her husband is alive is universally criticized by Ramayana commentators, they excuse Sugriva's taking of Tara, as his wife, as he believed she was widowed.

After a few years, Vali got the information that the prince of Ayodhya, Ram and Sugriva had made an alliance in which Ram will help Sugriva to defeat Vali and get his wife Ruma back to him. And in return, Sugriva, Hanuman and others friends will help Ram to get his wife Sita who was abducted by the ruler of Lanka.

As agreed by both of them, Ram asks Sugriva to challenge Vali. As said, Sugriva challenges his brother Vali. Tara warns her husband saying that the Sugriva who was silent for these many years may have found a protector. She warns him about the alliance of Ram and Sugriva. She also advices Vali to forgive Sugriva and make him the Crown Prince. But Vali disagrees to her and tells her that he will just defeat Sugriva to crush his pride.

Saying so, Vali leaves to fight Sugriva. The brothers start to fight while Ram who was hiding behind the trees was confused. Vali and Sugriva looked identical and it was difficult to differentiate between them. Therefore, Ram didn't shoot any arrow. Sugriva was defeated while Vali returned to Kishkinda triumphally.

The defeated Sugriva asked Ram about why he didn't kill Vali to which Ram explains his predicament and instructs Sugriva to invite Vali to another duel and Sugriva wearing a floral garland as a mark of identification.

As instructed, Sugriva again challenges Vali and this time too, Tara warns Vali not to go as she has a fear that Ram may kill her husband when he was dighting with Sugriva. But Vali tells her not to worry mentioning that Ram is a righteous person and will not kill him deceitfully. Vali leaves, promising that he would slay Sugriva.

Ignoring Tara's sound advice, Vali engages in combat with Sugriva. While fighting, Rama shoots an arrow at Vali from behind, fatally wounding him. The news of Vali's death reaches Tara and she rushes to him with Angad. Embracing the dying Vali, Tara laments his death while reproaching Sugriva and Rama. Tara accepts Vali's death as punishment for seizing Ruma and exiling Sugriva.

In some versions of Ramayan, it is said that Tara curses Ram for deceitfully killing her husband. In one of the versions, Tara curses by invoking the power of her chastity and curses Ram so that he will soon lose Sita after he regains her. She declares that Sita will return to the earth. In one more version, it is said that Tara curses Ram that in next birth, her husband will kill Ram. In Dwapara Yug, the hunter Jara being the incarnation of Vali and kills Krishna.

Hanuman consoles Tara, telling her to look towards the future of her son, Angad. Hanuman suggests that Angad be consecrated as king, compensating her loss but Tara declares that since his uncle Sugriva is alive, it is inadvisable. With his last breath, Vali confesses his folly of abandoning Sugriva and urges Angad and Tara to support Sugriva. He also instructs Sugriva never to ignore Tara's advice as she will never be wrong.

Sugriva is crowned the ruler of Kishkinda and he re-acquires Tara and announces Angad the crown Prince. In the book Ramaavataram, Tara doesn't remarry and Sugriva respects her like her mother and Ruma will be the Queen of Kishkinda.

The rainy season ensues and ends and Ram in despair fears that Sugriva has forgotten his promise to help him trace and recover Sita. Ram sends Lakshman to Kishkindha to remind the complacent monarch of his promise to help. Irritated that the city is barricaded, Lakshman kicks down the city gate and threatens to destroy Sugriva and the monkey kingdom with his divine power. Lakshman is unable to tolerate Sugriva breaking his vow to Ram, enjoying material and sensual pleasures, while Ram suffers alone.

When the agitated Lakshman—reaching the inner chambers of Sugriva and his harem—reproaches Sugriva for being ungrateful to Ram and forgetting his promise, Tara voluntarily intervenes to calm the wrath of Lakshman. Pacified by Tara and praised further by Sugriva, Lakshman begs for Sugriva's pardon for abusing him. It is only through the diplomatic intervention of Tara that the crisis is averted.

Tara is one of the Panchakanyas that all Hindu women has to pray. Her after-life after pacifying Lakshman is hidden in the pages of history. 

A/N: Tara is described as an illustrious, intelligent and pious woman. In the Ramayan, Vali is accused of acquiring Ruma, but never Sugriva for acquiring Tara. She lost her husband but never did she lose her courage. A wise Queen, dedicated wife and loving mother! Respect to her!

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25th May 2021

Tuesday