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Continued
from yesterday's instalment
 Kamban shows a totally different picture. We do not see any kind of conflict there. The events do not swirl, dash and spin back and forth. The difference is due to the fact that in Valmiki Ramayana, Tara runs to Vali and meets him while he is still alive while Kamban shows the arrival of Tara after the death of Vali. That gives a different dimension to emotions and expressions and the flow of events is controlled very much.
Pacified by Rama, both Tara and Sugriva were reconciled to the circumstances. But it goes to the credit of Tara that she did not stir the flame in her or Angada’s favour.
Valmiki is rich in his tributes for Tara’s wisdom whenever an occasion for it presents itself. There is another occasion in Valmiki Ramayana when Tara is the resource person in saving a bad situation. It was when Lakshmana was sent by Sri Rama to pull up Sugriva for his supposed delay in organising the Vanara hordes to search for Sita. Lakshmana, who could be provoked at the slightest hint of a possible harm to Rama’s interests, was seething with rage when he entered the gynaeceum of Sugriva. (Lakshmana did not walk in thus far in Kamban, of course!)
Lakshmana stood outside the private apartments of Sugriva, for his moral sense stopped him from walking in any further. He was already abashed at the tinkling of anklets and other ornaments heard around him with the movement of Vanara women, shy as he was by nature. Sugriva was not able to see the reason for his anger and was puzzled. He was in fact alarmed at the sound of Lakshmana twanging his bowstring, in warning of his arrival and also to express his preparedness for a battle, if necessary. He immediately turned to Tara for help.
“Thereupon Sugriva, the foremost of monkeys, calmly gave the following friendly admonition to Tara of pleasing looks, through his mind was puzzled through fear: - ‘What may be the cause, I wonder, for anger, O lady with charming eyebrows, actuated by which this younger (half-) brother of Sri Rama (a scion of Raghu) who is soft-hearted by nature, has arrived as though full of anger? Do you know the occasion for the prince’s anger, O irreproachable lady? Surely Lakshmana (a jewel among men) would not give way to anger without rhyme or reason. If you are aware of anything having been done by us, which is not to his liking, let it be made known without the least delay after divining it by your insight at once.” (Valmiki Ramayana, Kishkindha Kanda, Canto XXXIII, Slokas 31-34)
 The fact that Sugriva turns to Tara for information goes to add to her established reputation of having a grip over happenings around. Why should he pick Tara for advice? ‘It was you who forewarned Vali of my alliance with Rama. You had enough intelligence report to advice Vali against a fight with me. I know I can rely upon you for information on this occasion too. Tell me what could be the reason’. Though Sugriva doesn’t express himself this-wise, his seeking the help of Tara shows his judgement that she could be relied upon for information and also advice. And that was what Vali told him, too!
Not only that. Notice these words of Sugriva. “If you are aware of anything having been done by us, which is not to his liking, let it be made known without the least delay
after divining it by your insight at once.”
‘Tell me where did I go wrong as to provoke his anger? And give me the solution,’ is the underlying request.
More follows...
Hari Krishnan
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