Sages & Others

Tara

तारा

The Queen Who Read the Roar

Who was Tara?

Tara (तारा): The Queen Who Read the Roar, one of the sages and supporting figures in the Mahabharata. Vali's wife at Kishkindha, said to understand the voice of every creature.

Quick Facts

Key facts about Tara
Sanskrit nameतारा
Title / EpithetThe Queen Who Read the Roar
FactionSages & Others
Key traitsPerceptive, Candid, Disregarded, Wise
Notable relationshipsHusband: Vali, Brother-in-law: Sugriva, Son: Angada
Featured in1 story

About Tara

Vali's wife at Kishkindha, said to understand the voice of every creature. When Sugriva roared at the gate she stood in her husband's way and told him not to go out, because the confidence in that roar meant help had been found; asked whose, she named Rama, Lakshmana, Hanuman, Mainda, Dwivida and Jambavan in order and told him they were arrayed for his destruction. Vali suspected her of loving his brother, spoke to her harshly, went out anyway, and was shot through the heart.

In Their Words

A creature does not roar like that unless someone is standing behind him. Do not go out.

Tara

Traits

  • Perceptive
  • Candid
  • Disregarded
  • Wise

Story Appearances

Character Arc

  1. The WarningBlocks the cave mouth and tells Vali what the roar means
  2. The NamingLists every ally standing behind Sugriva after one moment's thought
  3. The Harsh WordIs accused of loving his brother and left behind

Key Relationships

Places in Tara's Story

Drawn from the story Tara appears in.

Others counted among the Sages & Others.