Chapter 3.16 - The story of Tara (Women characters, part 3)

Tara is one of the most significant lady characters described in the ancient Indian Puranas and Itihasas. Like Sita, Tara is also a person not born of the womb of a mother. During the time of the churning of the ocean (‘Palazhi Mathana’), Bali defeated the Daityas who came to fight because of the difference of opinion. The gods were happy with Bali for defeating the Daityas and they gave him Tara as his wife.^[1]

Even after the killing of Bali, Tara continued to stay in the capital of Sugriva. Tara was also had the authority over the palace of Sugriva. Tara was bold, intelligent and faithful. Because of her sterling qualities, she was much loved and respected by Bali. Sugriva also treated Tara with the same respect and reverence.We can see Tara in Ramayana mainly on two occasions. One is during the killing of Bali and the other is when Lakshmana is angry with Sugriva. In those times, we see Tara behaving in an exemplary manner that brings out her qualities.

The words and deeds of Tara were capable of making her a world-renowned heroine. Valmiki extols Tara in a great way and then suddenly she is removed from the scene. She is presented as a powerful lightning that shines for a moment and then is gone. Her life was very intense, bold and exemplary. In fact, the readers learn more about Tara not from the descriptions of Valmiki, but from her own words.

We have a straight glimpse of Tara during the second battle with Bali and Sugriva. In the first battle, Sugriva was defeated. But, then, Shrirama put on Sugriva a garland of flowers. Strengthened by this act, Sugriva again challenged Bali for a second battle. Bali then wanted to come out of the palace with great intolerance. At this time Tara was greatly afraid and embraces Bali and shows him a lot of love and talks him in a most lovable and sweet manner. This talk is the most significant ‘Tara Counsel” or “Taropadesha”. It is a counsel that is still beautiful and still very much relevant. It is this divine counsel that makes Tara a world-renowned personality.

Holding the hands of Bali, Tara said, “Dear Lord, don’t go at this time. In my mind there are so many serious doubts and misgivings. He has come back in spite of his severe defeat. That means there is somebody who is very strong that is backing him. He would not have dared to come to fight with you again if he did not have this kind of reliable support.”^[2] Bali then told Tara, “My dear beautiful wife, don’t be unnecessarily worried about me. I will come back only after finishing him off.”^[3]

Angada, who had gone to the forest, had informed Tara about the arrival of Rama and Lakshmana there and how they had entered into some sort of alliance with Sugriva. It is not good for Bali to be enmity with Rama. Tara said all this for the well being and prosperity of Bali as she knew her own prosperity is intertwined with that of Bali.

The counsel of Tara is a world renowned counsel that comes with good intention. This is the gist of what she said, “Sugriva is the younger brother and as such he is to be loved and protected. They must not live in enmity but should become helpers to each other. It is not good to fight with ‘Kosala Kumara’. Please consider me as a benefactor and heed to my entreaties.”Tara wanted only the safety and wellbeing of her husband and that is why she pleaded like this. But her counsel fell on deaf ears. Even after hearing the words of Tara, Bali asked her to return to the palace and refused to accept her advice.

Tara, who was soft spoken and a believer of personal freedom and choice, returned to the palace. Later we see Bali, who was hit by the “Ramabana”and is dying lamenting his fool hardiness at not listening to the timely advice of his wife Tara. The next stage is the lamentations of Tara or Taravilapa. She is being consoled by the words of Rama. When Lakshmana reaches Kishkindha to fight with Sugriva for delaying the search of Sita, it is Tara who tries to quench the anger of Lakshmana. The words of Tara which were appropriate to dharma, full of humility and boldness, consoled Lakshmana and made him happy.After this event, Sita was recovered and it is when they all are returning to Ayodhya there is further mention about the Monkey Women again.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Kamba Ramayana. Yuddhakanda

[2]:

Adhyatma. Ramayana. IV.2.20-21

[3]:

Ibid. 22-24