Long ago, after Indra had slain the mighty demon Vritra, he was overcome by impurity. Hunger and the sin of Brahma-hatya entered Indra, the thousand-eyed king of the gods, leaving him polluted. Seeing their lord afflicted, the gods and ascetic sages gathered to purify him. They bathed Indra with vessels, washing away his impurity and depositing it upon the earth here, along with Karusha. From Indra’s body, Malada and Karusha were born, and the gods rejoiced—Indra was cleansed and restored to his former glory. Grateful for his purification, Indra bestowed a supreme boon upon this land: Malada and Karusha would become renowned and prosperous regions in the world. The gods praised these lands for bearing Indra’s impurity, saying to their lord, “Well done, well done.” Malada and Karusha flourished, joyful and abundant in wealth and grain. Yet, after some time, their peace was shattered by a yakshini of terrifying power and shifting form. Her name was Tataka, wife of the wise Sunda. Tataka possessed the strength of a thousand elephants, and her son, Maricha, was a rakshasa of Indra-like prowess—broad-armed, great-headed, wide-mouthed, and massive in body. Maricha, monstrous in appearance, constantly terrorized the people and devastated these two regions. Tataka herself, wicked in conduct, ravaged Malada and Karusha, blocking the path ahead and dwelling half a yojana away. It was necessary, therefore, to enter Tataka’s forest and, relying on one’s own strength, destroy this evil yakshini. By the sage’s command, the region was to be freed from its thorns, for no one could enter as it was now. The land, once sanctified, lay ruined by Tataka, fierce and intolerable. Having explained the dreadful state of the forest, the sage turned to Rama. Hearing the sage’s words, Rama, the tiger among men, replied with auspicious speech. “O foremost among sages, it is said the yakshini is of little strength. How does this weak one bear the power of a thousand elephants?” Vishvamitra, delighted by Rama’s question, gently explained, “Hear how Tataka became so powerful. By a boon granted, she bears this strength though she is weak. Once, there was a mighty and virtuous yaksha named Suketu. Childless, he performed great austerities. The lord of the yakshas, pleased by Suketu’s devotion, granted him a jewel among daughters—Tataka. She was given the strength of a thousand elephants, but no son was granted to Suketu. As Tataka grew in beauty and youth, she was given as wife to Sunda, the illustrious son of Jambha. In time, Tataka bore a son named Maricha, who, by a curse, became a rakshasa. When Sunda was slain, Tataka and Maricha, driven by hunger and rage, attacked the eminent sage Agastya. Tataka rushed forward, roaring, but Agastya, seeing her charge, cursed Maricha: ‘Assume the form of a rakshasa!’ Filled with anger, Agastya also cursed Tataka: ‘O great yakshini, devourer of men, monstrous and deformed, quickly abandon this form—let a dreadful appearance be yours!’ Transformed by the curse and seized by wrath, Tataka, overwhelmed by anger, began to devastate the region once sanctified by Agastya. For the welfare of cows and Brahmanas, O Rama, slay this wicked and terrible yakshini Tataka, whose evil deeds are great. No man in the three worlds, except you, O delight of the Raghus, can kill her, for she is empowered by a curse. Do not hesitate to slay a woman in this case; for the welfare of the four orders, a prince must act. For the protection of the people, whether an act is cruel or not, sinful or faulty, it must always be done by the protector. This is the eternal duty of those entrusted with kingship: slay the unrighteous one, O descendant of Kakutstha, for there is no righteousness in her. It is heard, O king, that in ancient times Indra slew Manthara, daughter of Virocana, who sought to destroy the earth. And formerly, Vishnu slew Kavyā’s wife, the devoted spouse of Bhṛgu, who wished for a world without Indra. By these and many other noble princes, unrighteous women have been slain by the best of men. Therefore, casting aside hesitation, slay her at my command, O king.” Hearing the sage’s resolute words, Rama, son of the best of men, with joined palms and firm resolve, replied, “Out of obedience and respect for my father’s command, and because of the authority of Kauśika’s words, this task must be done without hesitation.