Sarga 25: The Origin of Tataka

Tataka Utpatti

Vishvamitra recounts how the yakshi Tataka gained her monstrous strength through a boon, was cursed by Agastya into a man-eating demoness, and now ravages the land; he urges Rama, citing precedents of Manthara and Bhrigu's wife, that slaying her is his righteous duty despite her being female.