Tara, overwhelmed with grief, turned to her departed husband Vali and lamented, “Why have you abandoned Angada, your heroic son, and gone away into exile for so long? It is not right to leave behind such a virtuous, dear, and handsome child.” Then, her voice trembling, she pleaded, “If I have done anything to displease you, O long-armed one, forgive me for that, O lord of the monkey clan. I bow my head at your feet, O hero.” Unable to contain her sorrow, Tara, weeping bitterly with the other monkey women by her husband’s side, resolved to undertake a fast unto death there, where Vali’s lifeless body lay, her beauty undiminished even in her despair. At that moment, Hanuman, chief among the monkeys, approached Tara, who seemed as fallen as a star from the sky, and gently sought to console her. He spoke words of wisdom: “After death, every being receives the results of their good and bad actions, each according to their own deeds, without confusion. You grieve for one who is to be grieved for, you pity the pitiable—but who truly deserves to be mourned in this body, which is as fleeting as a bubble? Remember, your son Angada lives; consider what capable actions you should now take for his future.” Hanuman continued, “You know well the fixed coming and going of beings; therefore, the wise do what is truly good, not what is merely worldly. He, for whom thousands and thousands of monkeys waited in hope, has now reached his destined end. Vali saw things rightly, was devoted to conciliation, gifts, and forgiveness, and has now gone to the land attained by righteousness. You should not grieve for him. All the foremost monkeys, Angada your son, and the entire monkey kingdom remain protected by you, O blameless one. Gently encourage these two—your son and Sugriva—scorched by grief, noble lady. With your support, let Angada rule the earth. As the lineage continues and the path is clear, let all the king’s duties be performed; this is the certainty of time. Let the monkey king be given the proper rites, and let Angada be anointed. Seeing your son on the throne, you will find peace.” Hearing Hanuman’s compassionate words, Tara, her heart still heavy from loss, replied, “For me, even the embrace of this slain hero’s body is better than a hundred sons like Angada in every way. I have no power over the monkey kingdom or over Angada; his uncle Sugriva is next in all affairs. Hanuman, do not think otherwise regarding Angada; for a father is the true relative of a son, not the mother, O best of monkeys. For me, there is nothing more fitting, either here or hereafter, than to rest upon this bed, honored by heroes who fell facing the enemy, rather than to seek the shelter of the monkey king.” Meanwhile, Vali, breathing faintly and looking all around in his final moments, saw Sugriva, his younger brother, standing before him. Having been defeated, Vali spoke with clear words full of affection to Sugriva, the new lord of the monkeys. “Sugriva, you should not approach me with blame for my wrongdoing; I was forcibly drawn by fate and deluded in mind. O dear one, I do not think happiness was destined for both of us at the same time; the brotherly affection that once existed has now changed. Today itself, assume the kingship over these forest-dwellers; know that I, departing today, am going to the abode of Yama. I now abandon life, kingdom, vast prosperity, and untainted fame, all at once, O Sugriva.” Vali’s voice grew softer, but his resolve was clear. “In this condition, O hero, I will say these words—though difficult to accomplish, O king, you must indeed do them. See this child Angada, worthy of happiness, raised in comfort, innocent, his face filled with tears, lying on the ground. Protect Angada, who is dearer to me than my own life, as if he were your own son, now left without me and without support. You must be his father, his giver, and his complete protector in every way, and grant him safety in dangers, just as I did, O lord of monkeys. This glorious son of Tara, equal to you in valor, will stand at the forefront in the destruction of the demons. This radiant young Angada, son of Tara, will perform deeds befitting him, displaying strength and courage in battle. And this daughter of Sushena is well-versed in subtle matters of wealth and in all kinds of omens, being thoroughly accomplished in every way.” Vali added, “You must carry out your duty towards Raghava without hesitation; for failure to do so would be unrighteous, and you would be harmed by being considered unworthy. And, Sugriva, place this divine golden garland upon yourself; for great fortune abides in it, and it should be relinquished only after my death.” Thus addressed by Vali, Sugriva, moved by brotherly affection, abandoned his joy and became sorrowful again, like the moon seized by a planet. Calmed by Vali’s words, acting rightly and attentively, Sugriva took, with permission, that golden garland. Then, giving the golden garland and seeing his son standing there, Vali, resolved for the afterlife, spoke affectionately to Angada: “Now embrace place and time, enduring both pleasant and unpleasant; bear happiness and sorrow in their season, and be obedient to Sugriva.” Thus, amid sorrow and duty, the destinies of the monkey clan were entrusted to the living, even as they mourned their beloved king.