Rumā

Rumā (Sanskrit: रूमा) is a vanara also known as Tara and as the queen of Kishkindha mentioned in the epic Ramayana. She is the wife of King Sugrīva, who ruled over the vanara kingdom of Kishkindha.^[1]

Rumā
Queen of Kishkindha
Spouse	Vali Sugriva
House	Kishkindha
Religion	Hinduism

Legend

Ruma finds her mention in Book IV (Kishkindha Kanda) of Ramayana. Sugriva fell in love with Ruma. But Ruma's father did not approve. Hence, Sugriva with the help of Hanuman, abducted Ruma and they married each other. Ruma was taken away from Sugriva by Vāli following the strife of two royal Vānara brothers. Later, the fact of Rumā being withheld by Vāli became the primary justification for Rama's slaying Vāli and helping Sugrīva to become the sovereign of Kishkindha. When accused by Vāli of lowly, treacherous, and unexpected assassination from the shades by Rama's arrow, Rāma says his assassination was a just punishment for the sin Vāli committed when he robbed Sugrīva of Rumā or Tara, his wedded spouse, and used her for his pleasure.^[2][3][4]

References

1. Parmeshwaranand, Swami (2001). Encyclopaedic Dictionary of Puranas. Sarup & Sons. p. 36. ISBN 978-81-7625-226-3.
2. Sanskrit-English Dictionary by Monier-Williams, (c) 1899
3. Valmiki Ramayana translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith (1870–1874). Book IV.
4. Ramayana. William Buck, B. A. van Nooten, Shirley Triest. University of California Press, 2000. ISBN 0520227034, 9780520227033