#2 - TARA

My attempt on ' Woman in epics' started with 'Kaikeyi' as a woman from Royal family. Now on monkey side 'Tara' is taken for next analysis.
Right from the epic times, till today, the test of real heroism lies in consideration shown to women. From the time Rama, was moved by compassion to release Ahalya from the stone in which she was imprisoned waiting for His footfall, from the time, Krishna showered love on Gopis who had totally surrendered to Him ,the avataras came down for the purpose of guarding and protecting humanity, exhibiting all parental care and tenderness.
In Tara the wife of Vali, certain important aspects of that character is sure to capture one's mind , are tabulated as under.

1.Morality - All women whether they are good or bad, chaste or unchaste , should be looked upon as images of the blissful Divine mother. Similarly Tara loved Vali her husband much and considered him as God, though he is in bad character and arrogance. In Kamba Ramayana we can find both men and vanaras followed all moral codes in life. He has quoted as Vali's brother Sugreeva anoints Tara as Rajamatha (Mother of nation ) only and coronate Vali's son Angadha as crown prince.

2.Beauty- Valmiki described Queen Tara of vanara King Vali at Kishkinda as Sarvanga sundari , which means that her every organ was so beautiful (Sloka 33 Kishikinda kandam )It was told though mouth was more protruding ,many of the vanaras were appealing and beautiful. Tara was a woman of unusual intelligence ,foresight, and confidence. It was told that Tara's face was lovely like the moon even in resentful stage on seeing Vali falling on the ground with the arrows from Rama.

3. Love and Affection- Tara saw the great elephantine and mountainous Vali, reduced to no more than an uprooted tree, and said with much grief as " 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. " "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."Her dejection , despair and drown in the sea of sadness reflects the husband and wife relationship much.

4. Motherly care -When Tara was watching Vali's fateful fight with his brother Sugriva , she was torn between her love for her husband , but with concern on the kingdom's safety and about her son Angada. Ignoring all advices of Tara , Vali fought with Sugreeva ,but was later shot by Rama from behind a tree only. After Vali's death Tara wept much and said to the people surrounding as Vali, whether Sugreeva could protect the people like Vali.She expressed her great concern on both her son Angada and Kingdom. She stayed in Kishkinda to ensure her son Angada to get Yuvaraja.

5.Life position-The episode of Tara conveys a message from Gita. Anjaneya told Tara, wife of Vali as follows, when Vali died. " A man reaps the fruits of the actions he has performed: actions whether good or bad, and death grants him these fruits. No man’s action depends on those of another. This human body is like a bubble on the surface of water. No one need mourn for another since we are all to be pitied. There is no cause for grief in this world where everything is transient".

6.Knowledge On Sugriva's advice , Tara spoke to Lakshmana ,with such a good knowledge , and succeeded in getting his pains relieved easily. Her suggestions and informations for helping Rama with innumerable Vanaras to fight the huge Rakshasas, as lakhs and crores of monkeys possessed of extraordinary valour and capable of assuming any form at will and dwelling on different mountains have actually arrived, is exemplary one , and she thus placed an important role as one of the lietenants. (Valmiki Ramayana Kishkinta Canto 33 sloka 59,60 )

7. Life style Tara lived with Sugriva after the death of Vali, has to be read in the context of lifestyle of Vanaras. Valmiki's depictions as Tara lived with Sugriva is therefore with proper understanding in the right context and right sense.However, Kamban described her as leading only a life of widowhood. When Lakshmana saw Tara with all signs of widowhood, he is moved to tears, and he was reminded of his mothers , thought similar in all respects in appearance as widows of Dasaratha .Tara's lamentation shows she is not like other forest beings who just forsake the dead partner, and scolds Sugreeva and Rama responsible for the untimely death of Vali.

Readers may please bear with me , for limiting this article with this .The next topic is Mandodari