Upon reaching the banks of the river Sarayu, the sages respectfully invited Viśvāmitra and the two princes, Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa, to board the boat, urging them to proceed without delay and wishing them a safe journey. Honoring their words, Viśvāmitra, accompanied by the princes, crossed the great river that flows toward the ocean. As they traveled, a deep, resonant sound arose, the waters of the river churning with agitation. When they reached the middle of the stream, Viśvāmitra paused to discern the source of this tumult. Filled with curiosity, Rāma, together with his younger brother, turned to the eminent sage and asked, “What is this mighty noise of the waters breaking apart?” Hearing Rāma’s question, Viśvāmitra, righteous and wise, explained the origin of the sound: “On Mount Kailāsa, Rāma, there exists a supreme lake created by the mind. By Brahmā’s will, this Mānasa lake came into being, and from its waters, the Sarayu flows forth, making its way toward Ayodhyā. This sacred river, springing from Brahmā’s own lake, produces this incomparable sound as it journeys to meet the Jahnavi. The noise you hear is born of the river’s powerful current. Rāma, offer your respectful salutation to these holy waters.” Obedient and reverent, Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa bowed in salutation to the river. Soon after, they reached the southern bank and continued swiftly on their way. Before long, they came upon a forest of fearful aspect. The son of the Ikṣvāku line, Rāma, unvanquished and ever-curious, turned to Viśvāmitra and asked, “This forest is formidable, filled with the cries of countless crickets, and crowded with fierce beasts and birds whose calls are harsh and dreadful. I see lions, tigers, boars, and elephants roaming among trees like dhava, ashvakarna, kakubha, bilva, tinduka, patala, and jujube. Why is this forest so dreadful?” Viśvāmitra, the great sage endowed with immense energy, replied, “Listen, O child of Kakutstha, to the reason for this forest’s fearful state. Once, two prosperous regions flourished here—Malada and Karusha—created by the gods themselves. Long ago, after Indra slew the demon Vritra, he was afflicted by impurity and hunger, as well as the sin of Brahma-hatya. The gods and ascetic sages bathed him here, cleansing him of his impurity with sacred vessels. The impurity was deposited upon this land, and from Indra’s own body, these regions took form. Rejoicing at his purification, Indra granted this land a boon: these two regions would become renowned throughout the world.” “The Maladas and Karushas, bearing Indra’s impurity, were praised by the gods, who commended Indra for his restoration. These lands became joyful, prosperous, and rich in grain. Yet, after some time, a yakshini of terrible power brought devastation upon them. Her name is Tataka, wife of the wise Sunda. She possesses the strength of a thousand elephants, and her son Maricha, a rakshasa of great might, is formidable—broad of limb, massive of body, and terrifying in appearance. Together, they have brought ruin to these lands, frightening the people and destroying the prosperity of Malada and Karusha. Tataka herself, wicked in conduct, blocks the path ahead, dwelling half a yojana from here.” “Therefore, Rāma, you must go to Tataka’s forest. Relying on your own strength, destroy this wicked one by my command, and make this land free from thorns once more. None can travel here as things stand, for the region has been devastated by this fierce and intolerable yakshini. All that you see—the ruin and dread—are the marks of her presence.” Having heard these words from the sage, the narrative continues into the next section of the tale. Rāma, the tiger among men, listened attentively to the sage’s account. With gentle and auspicious speech, he asked, “O foremost among sages, you have said the yakshini is of little strength. How is it that one so weak possesses the might of a thousand elephants?” Delighted by Rāma’s question, Viśvāmitra spoke gently to Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa: “Hear how Tataka came to possess such power. Once, there was a great yaksha named Suketu, mighty and virtuous, but childless. He performed great austerities to please the lord of the yakshas, who, pleased with his devotion, granted him a daughter, Tataka, a jewel among women. Along with her, he bestowed the strength of a thousand elephants, though he did not grant Suketu a son.” “As Tataka grew, radiant in beauty and youth, she was given in marriage to Sunda, the illustrious son of Jambha. In time, she bore a son named Maricha, formidable in might, who, through a curse, became a rakshasa. When Sunda was slain, Tataka, together with her son, attacked the eminent sage Agastya.” Thus, the sage revealed to Rāma the origin of Tataka’s strength and the cause of the forest’s fearful transformation, preparing the prince for the task that awaited him in Tataka’s haunted domain.