Tara's Counsel

Shloka 1 (kishkindha.15.1)

अथ तस्य निनादं तं सुग्रीवस्य महात्मनः । शुश्रावान्तःपुरगतो वाली भ्रातुरमर्षणः ॥ 15.1 ॥

atha tasya ninādaṃ taṃ sugrīvasya mahātmanaḥ | śuśrāvāntaḥpuragato vālī bhrāturamarṣaṇaḥ || 15.1 ||

Then Vali, intolerant of it, who was within the inner apartments, distinctly heard that roar of his great-souled brother Sugriva.

Shloka 2 (kishkindha.15.2)

श्रुत्वा तु तस्य निनदं सर्वभूतप्रकम्पनम् । मदश्चैकपदे नष्टः क्रोधश्चापादितो महान् ॥ 15.2 ॥

śrutvā tu tasya ninadaṃ sarvabhūtaprakampanam | madaścaikapade naṣṭaḥ krodhaścāpādito mahān || 15.2 ||

Hearing that roar, which set all beings trembling, Vali's arrogance vanished in an instant, and a mighty fury rose up within him.

Shloka 3 (kishkindha.15.3)

ततो रोषपरीताङ्गो वाली स कनकप्रभः । उपरक्त इवादित्यः सद्यो निष्प्रभतां गतः ॥ 15.3 ॥

tato roṣaparītāṅgo vālī sa kanakaprabhaḥ | uparakta ivādityaḥ sadyo niṣprabhatāṃ gataḥ || 15.3 ||

Then Vali, his limbs suffused with rage, golden of hue though he was, at once lost his radiance, like the sun in eclipse.

Shloka 4 (kishkindha.15.4)

वाली दंष्ट्राकरालस्तु क्रोधाद् दीप्ताग्निलोचनः । भात्युत्पतितपद्माभः समृणाल इव ह्रदः ॥ 15.4 ॥

vālī daṃṣṭrākarālastu krodhād dīptāgnilocanaḥ | bhātyutpatitapadmābhaḥ samṛṇāla iva hradaḥ || 15.4 ||

Vali, his fangs bared terribly, his eyes blazing with fire in his fury, shone forth like a lake strewn with uprooted lotus-stalks.

Shloka 5 (kishkindha.15.5)

शब्दं दुर्मर्षणं श्रुत्वा निष्पपात ततो हरिः । वेगेन च पदन्यासैर्दारयन्निव मेदिनीम् ॥ 15.5 ॥

śabdaṃ durmarṣaṇaṃ śrutvā niṣpapāta tato hariḥ | vegena ca padanyāsairdārayanniva medinīm || 15.5 ||

Hearing that unbearable roar, that monkey bolted forth with such speed of foot as though he would rend the very earth.

Shloka 6 (kishkindha.15.6)

तं तु तारा परिष्वज्य स्नेहाद् दर्शितसौहृदा । उवाच त्रस्तसम्भ्रान्ता हितोदर्कमिदं वचः ॥ 15.6 ॥

taṃ tu tārā pariṣvajya snehād darśitasauhṛdā | uvāca trastasambhrāntā hitodarkamidaṃ vacaḥ || 15.6 ||

Then Tara, embracing him affectionately and showing her devotion, agitated and afraid, spoke to him these words meant for his own good in time to come:

Shloka 7 (kishkindha.15.7)

साधु क्रोधमिमं वीर नदीवेगमिवागतम् । शयनादुत्थितः काल्यं त्यज भुक्तामिव स्रजम् ॥ 15.7 ॥

sādhu krodhamimaṃ vīra nadīvegamivāgatam | śayanādutthitaḥ kālyaṃ tyaja bhuktāmiva srajam || 15.7 ||

"O hero, gently set aside this anger of yours, come upon you like a river in spate, as one, rising from bed at dawn, casts off a garland already worn out.

Shloka 8 (kishkindha.15.8)

काल्यमेतेन संग्रामं करिष्यसि च वानर । वीर ते शत्रुबाहुल्यं फल्गुता वा न विद्यते ॥ 15.8 ॥

kālyametena saṃgrāmaṃ kariṣyasi ca vānara | vīra te śatrubāhulyaṃ phalgutā vā na vidyate || 15.8 ||

You may fight this battle with him another time, O monkey; your valour is well known and is not diminished by facing many enemies.

Shloka 9 (kishkindha.15.9)

सहसा तव निष्क्रामो मम तावन्न रोचते । श्रूयतामभिधास्यामि यन्निमित्तं निवार्यते ॥ 15.9 ॥

sahasā tava niṣkrāmo mama tāvanna rocate | śrūyatāmabhidhāsyāmi yannimittaṃ nivāryate || 15.9 ||

This sudden rushing out of yours does not please me at all. Listen, and I shall tell you the reason that holds me back.

Shloka 10 (kishkindha.15.10)

पूर्वमापतितः क्रोधात् स त्वामाह्वयते युधि । निष्पत्य च निरस्तस्ते हन्यमानो दिशो गतः ॥ 15.10 ॥

pūrvamāpatitaḥ krodhāt sa tvāmāhvayate yudhi | niṣpatya ca nirastaste hanyamāno diśo gataḥ || 15.10 ||

Earlier he came in fury and challenged you to fight; and having rushed out, he was defeated and, beaten by you, fled in every direction.

Shloka 11 (kishkindha.15.11)

त्वया तस्य निरस्तस्य पीडितस्य विशेषतः । इहैत्य पुनराह्वानं शङ्कां जनयतीव मे ॥ 15.11 ॥

tvayā tasya nirastasya pīḍitasya viśeṣataḥ | ihaitya punarāhvānaṃ śaṅkāṃ janayatīva me || 15.11 ||

That he, so utterly routed and so grievously hurt by you, should come here again to challenge you — this itself rouses my suspicion.

Shloka 12 (kishkindha.15.12)

दर्पश्च व्यवसायश्च यादृशस्तस्य नर्दतः । निनादस्य च संरम्भो नैतदल्पं हि कारणम् ॥ 15.12 ॥

darpaśca vyavasāyaśca yādṛśastasya nardataḥ | ninādasya ca saṃrambho naitadalpaṃ hi kāraṇam || 15.12 ||

The pride, the resolve and the vehemence in this roaring and this outcry of his — surely this is no trivial matter.

Shloka 13 (kishkindha.15.13)

नासहायमहं मन्ये सुग्रीवं तमिहागतम् । अवष्टब्धसहायश्च यमाश्रित्यैष गर्जति ॥ 15.13 ॥

nāsahāyamahaṃ manye sugrīvaṃ tamihāgatam | avaṣṭabdhasahāyaśca yamāśrityaiṣa garjati || 15.13 ||

I do not think this Sugriva who has come here is without support; he must be relying on some firm ally, on whose strength he now roars so.

Shloka 14 (kishkindha.15.14)

प्रकृत्या निपुणश्चैव बुद्धिमांश्चैव वानरः । नापरीक्षितवीर्येण सुग्रीवः सख्यमेष्यति ॥ 15.14 ॥

prakṛtyā nipuṇaścaiva buddhimāṃścaiva vānaraḥ | nāparīkṣitavīryeṇa sugrīvaḥ sakhyameṣyati || 15.14 ||

That monkey is by nature clever and wise; Sugriva would never make friends with one whose valour he had not first put to the test.

Shloka 15 (kishkindha.15.15)

पूर्वमेव मया वीर श्रुतं कथयतो वचः । अङ्गदस्य कुमारस्य वक्ष्याम्यद्य हितं वचः ॥ 15.15 ॥

pūrvameva mayā vīra śrutaṃ kathayato vacaḥ | aṅgadasya kumārasya vakṣyāmyadya hitaṃ vacaḥ || 15.15 ||

O hero, I have already heard the report told to me earlier; now I shall tell you this helpful word concerning our son Angada.

Shloka 16 (kishkindha.15.16)

अङ्गदस्तु कुमारोऽयं वनान्तमुपनिर्गतः । प्रवृत्तिस्तेन कथिता चारैरासीन्निवेदिता ॥ 15.16 ॥

aṅgadastu kumāro'yaṃ vanāntamupanirgataḥ | pravṛttistena kathitā cārairāsīnniveditā || 15.16 ||

This prince Angada had gone out into the depths of the forest, and it is he who reported this account, brought by our spies:

Shloka 17 (kishkindha.15.17)

अयोध्याधिपतेः पुत्रौ शूरौ समरदुर्जयौ । इक्ष्वाकूणां कुले जातौ प्रथितौ रामलक्ष्मणौ ॥ 15.17 ॥

ayodhyādhipateḥ putrau śūrau samaradurjayau | ikṣvākūṇāṃ kule jātau prathitau rāmalakṣmaṇau || 15.17 ||

Two valiant sons of the king of Ayodhya, unconquerable in war, born in the line of the Ikshvakus, renowned as Rama and Lakshmana,

Shloka 18 (kishkindha.15.18)

सुग्रीवप्रियकामार्थं प्राप्तौ तत्र दुरासदौ । स ते भ्रातुर्हि विख्यातः सहायो रणकर्मणि ॥ 15.18 ॥

sugrīvapriyakāmārthaṃ prāptau tatra durāsadau | sa te bhrāturhi vikhyātaḥ sahāyo raṇakarmaṇi || 15.18 ||

those two formidable ones have arrived there, at Rishyamuka, to fulfil the cherished desire of Sugriva.

Shloka 19 (kishkindha.15.19)

रामः परबलामर्दी युगान्ताग्निरिवोत्थितः । निवासवृक्षः साधूनामापन्नानां परा गतिः ॥ 15.19 ॥

rāmaḥ parabalāmardī yugāntāgnirivotthitaḥ | nivāsavṛkṣaḥ sādhūnāmāpannānāṃ parā gatiḥ || 15.19 ||

It is said that Rama, that shatterer of enemy strength, blazing up like the fire at the end of an age, famed for his deeds in war, has become your brother's helper —

Shloka 20 (kishkindha.15.20)

आर्तानां संश्रयश्चैव यशसश्चैकभाजनम् । ज्ञानविज्ञानसम्पन्नो निदेशे निरतः पितुः ॥ 15.20 ॥

ārtānāṃ saṃśrayaścaiva yaśasaścaikabhājanam | jñānavijñānasampanno nideśe nirataḥ pituḥ || 15.20 ||

a tree of shelter for the virtuous, the final refuge of the distressed, a haven for the afflicted, and the sole abode of glory,

Shloka 21 (kishkindha.15.21)

धातूनामिव शैलेन्द्रो गुणानामाकरो महान् । तत् क्षमो न विरोधस्ते सह तेन महात्मना ॥ 15.21 ॥

dhātūnāmiva śailendro guṇānāmākaro mahān | tat kṣamo na virodhaste saha tena mahātmanā || 15.21 ||

endowed with knowledge both worldly and beyond, ever devoted to his father's word, a vast mine of virtues, like the great lord of mountains among the elements.

Shloka 22 (kishkindha.15.22)

दुर्जयेनाप्रमेयेण रामेण रणकर्मसु । शूर वक्ष्यामि ते किंचिन्न चेच्छाम्यभ्यसूयितुम् ॥ 15.22 ॥

durjayenāprameyeṇa rāmeṇa raṇakarmasu | śūra vakṣyāmi te kiṃcinna cecchāmyabhyasūyitum || 15.22 ||

For that reason, enmity with that great-souled Rama, unconquerable in battle and immeasurable in worth, is not fitting for you.

Shloka 23 (kishkindha.15.23)

श्रूयतां क्रियतां चैव तव वक्ष्यामि यद्धितम् । यौवराज्येन सुग्रीवं तूर्णं साध्वभिषेचय ॥ 15.23 ॥

śrūyatāṃ kriyatāṃ caiva tava vakṣyāmi yaddhitam | yauvarājyena sugrīvaṃ tūrṇaṃ sādhvabhiṣecaya || 15.23 ||

O dauntless one, I shall tell you something, though I have no wish to find fault; listen to what is for your good, and act upon it:

Shloka 24 (kishkindha.15.24)

विग्रहं मा कृथा वीर भ्रात्रा राजन् यवीयसा । अहं हि ते क्षमं मन्ये तेन रामेण सौहृदम् ॥ 15.24 ॥

vigrahaṃ mā kṛthā vīra bhrātrā rājan yavīyasā | ahaṃ hi te kṣamaṃ manye tena rāmeṇa sauhṛdam || 15.24 ||

Consecrate Sugriva at once, with due ceremony, as prince regent, O king, and do not, O hero, make war upon your own younger brother.

Shloka 25 (kishkindha.15.25)

सुग्रीवेण च सम्प्रीतिं वैरमुत्सृज्य दूरतः । लालनीयो हि ते भ्राता यवीयानेष वानरः ॥ 15.25 ॥

sugrīveṇa ca samprītiṃ vairamutsṛjya dūrataḥ | lālanīyo hi te bhrātā yavīyāneṣa vānaraḥ || 15.25 ||

I consider it right that you make friendship with that Rama and reconciliation with Sugriva, casting this enmity far away.

Shloka 26 (kishkindha.15.26)

नहि तेन समं बन्धुं भुवि पश्यामि किंचन । दानमानादिसत्कारैः कुरुष्व प्रत्यनन्तरम् ॥ 15.26 ॥

nahi tena samaṃ bandhuṃ bhuvi paśyāmi kiṃcana | dānamānādisatkāraiḥ kuruṣva pratyanantaram || 15.26 ||

This younger brother of yours, this monkey, deserves your affection; whether he stays there or comes here, he remains, in every way, your own kinsman.

Shloka 27 (kishkindha.15.27)

दानमानादिसत्कारैः कुरुष्व प्रत्यनन्तरम् । वैरमेतत् समुत्सृज्य तव पार्श्वे स तिष्ठतु ॥ 15.27 ॥

dānamānādisatkāraiḥ kuruṣva pratyanantaram | vairametat samutsṛjya tava pārśve sa tiṣṭhatu || 15.27 ||

Indeed, I see no kinsman on this earth equal to him; therefore, giving up this enmity, honour him with gifts and courtesies as one dear to you, and let him ever remain at your side.

Shloka 28 (kishkindha.15.28)

सुग्रीवो विपुलग्रीवो महाबन्धुर्मतस्तव । भ्रातृसौहृदमालम्ब्य नान्या गतिरिहास्ति ते ॥ 15.28 ॥

sugrīvo vipulagrīvo mahābandhurmatastava | bhrātṛsauhṛdamālambya nānyā gatirihāsti te || 15.28 ||

Sugriva, of the mighty voice, is deemed your great kinsman; hold fast to the bond of brotherly affection, for there is no other course open to you now.

Shloka 29 (kishkindha.15.29)

यदि ते मत्प्रियं कार्यं यदि चावैषि मां हिताम् । याच्यमानः प्रियत्वेन साधु वाक्यं कुरुष्व मे ॥ 15.29 ॥

yadi te matpriyaṃ kāryaṃ yadi cāvaiṣi māṃ hitām | yācyamānaḥ priyatvena sādhu vākyaṃ kuruṣva me || 15.29 ||

If you hold my welfare dear, and consider me one who wishes you well, then, as I beg of you out of love, simply do as I say."

Shloka 30 (kishkindha.15.30)

प्रसीद पथ्यं शृणु जल्पितं हि मे न रोषमेवानुविधातुमर्हसि । क्षमो हि ते कोशलराजसूनुना न विग्रहः शक्रसमानतेजसा ॥ 15.30 ॥

prasīda pathyaṃ śṛṇu jalpitaṃ hi me na roṣamevānuvidhātumarhasi | kṣamo hi te kośalarājasūnunā na vigrahaḥ śakrasamānatejasā || 15.30 ||

"Be gracious, and listen to this wholesome advice of mine; it does not become you to follow mere rancour. Confrontation with the son of the king of Kosala, whose splendour equals Indra's, cannot be forgiven you — it is not advisable."

Shloka 31 (kishkindha.15.31)

तदा हि तारा हितमेव वाक्यं तं वालिनं पथ्यमिदं बभाषे । न रोचते तद् वचनं हि तस्य कालाभिपन्नस्य विनाशकाले ॥ 15.31 ॥

tadā hi tārā hitameva vākyaṃ taṃ vālinaṃ pathyamidaṃ babhāṣe | na rocate tad vacanaṃ hi tasya kālābhipannasya vināśakāle || 15.31 ||

Thus did Tara speak these beneficial and wholesome words to Vali; but that counsel did not appeal to him, for his time had come and his hour of doom was near.