Sarga 26: The Death of Tataka
Tataka Vadha
Rama, honoring his father's and Vishvamitra's word, twangs his bow to summon Tataka; after she assails the brothers with dust and stone through her magic, Rama and Lakshmana maim her, and Rama slays her with an arrow to the heart, freeing the forest from her curse.
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अलं ते घृणया राम पापैषा दुष्टचारिणी।।1.26.21।। यज्ञविघ्नकरी यक्षी पुरावर्धति मायया।
Meaning
Enough of your compassion, Rama — this wicked, evil-conducted yakshi who disrupts sacrifices only grows stronger through her magic.
वध्यतां तावदेवैषा पुरा सन्ध्या प्रवर्तते।।1.26.22।। रक्षांसि सन्ध्याकालेषु दुर्धर्षाणि भवन्ति वै।
Meaning
Let her be slain at once, before twilight sets in — for at twilight rakshasas become nearly unconquerable.
इत्युक्तस्तु तदा यक्षी अश्मवृष्ट्याभिवर्षतीम्।।1.26.23।। दर्शयन् शब्दवेधित्वं तां रुरोध स सायकै:।
Meaning
So instructed, as the yakshi rained down stones, Rama, displaying his skill in sound-guided archery, checked her with his arrows.
सा रुद्धा शरजालेन मायाबलसमन्विता।।1.26.24।। अभिदुद्राव काकुत्स्थं लक्ष्मणं च विनेदुषी।
Meaning
Blocked by that net of arrows though armed with magic power, she rushed roaring at Kakutstha and Lakshmana.
तामापतन्तीं वेगेन विक्रान्तामशनीमिव।।1.26.25।। शरेणोरसि विव्याथ सा पपात ममार च।
Meaning
As she charged with the speed of a thunderbolt, he struck her in the chest with an arrow; she fell and died.
तां हतां भीमसङ्काशां दृष्ट्वा सुरपतिस्तदा।।1.26.26।। साधु साध्विति काकुत्स्थं सुराश्च समपूजयन्।
Meaning
Seeing her, terrible in form, lying slain, the lord of the gods and the other devas honored Kakutstha, crying, 'Well done, well done!'
उवाच परमप्रीत स्सहस्राक्ष: पुरन्दर:।।1.26.27।। सुराश्च सर्वे संहृष्टा विश्वामित्रमथाब्रुवन्।
Meaning
The thousand-eyed Purandara, greatly pleased, spoke; and all the gladdened gods addressed Vishvamitra.
मुने कौशिक भद्रं ते सेन्द्रास्सर्वे मरुद्गणा:।।1.26.28।। तोषिता: कर्मणाऽनेन स्नेहं दर्शय राघवे।
Meaning
O sage Kaushika, blessings to you — Indra and all the host of Maruts are gratified by this deed; show your affection to Raghava.
प्रजापतेर्भृशाश्वस्य पुत्रान् सत्यपराक्रमान्।।1.26.29।। तपोबलभृतो ब्रह्मन् राघवाय निवेदय।
Meaning
Bestow upon Raghava, O Brahman, the truly mighty, austerity-empowered sons of Prajapati Krishashva.
पात्रभूतश्च ते ब्रह्मंस्तवानुगमने धृत:।।1.26.30।। कर्तव्यं च महत्कर्म सुराणां राजसूनुना।
Meaning
He is a worthy vessel, devoted to following you, O Brahman; a great task of the gods remains for this prince to accomplish.