RAMAYAN

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🙏 The Slaying of Tadaka 🙏

"Tadaka in the form of a woman is a great sin, and there is no sin in destroying sin. O Ram, you must destroy this sinner."

Having completed their morning rituals, including bathing and performing Sandhyopasana, Ram and Lakshman reached the riverbank with Guru Vishwamitra. A forest-dwelling sage saw two tender young boys with Vishwamitra. After learning their identities, he brought a small, beautiful boat and said to Vishwamitra, "O Muniraj, please cross the river with these princes in this boat." Vishwamitra thanked the sage and boarded the boat with Ram and Lakshman. In this way, they crossed the river, which flowed with a gurgling sound, eager to meet the ocean. On the other side of the river was a terrifying forest. Seeing that forest, Ram said, "Gurudev, this forest is very fearsome."

"From all directions, there are roars of lions, tigers, and other ferocious animals, and the trumpeting of elephants. Wild boars, bears, wild buffaloes, and other forest creatures are seen roaming about. Due to the density of the trees, the sun's light dares not penetrate this forest, and for this reason, there is darkness everywhere. What is the name of this extremely inaccessible forest?"

Vishwamitra answered Ram's question thus: "O Raghav, in ancient times, this place was not a forest but comprised two large, prosperous kingdoms named Malada and Karupa. Both kingdoms were adorned with tall mansions, avenues, and beautiful paths, and were full of wealth, grain, and prosperity. Traders from distant lands used to come here to trade. But a Yakshi maiden named Tadaka destroyed both those kingdoms."

Sage Vishwamitra further explained, "Tadaka is no ordinary woman; she is the wife of the demon Sunda and the mother of the demon Marich. She possesses the strength of a thousand elephants and is extremely powerful and valiant. After destroying this region, Tadaka, along with her son Marich, killed and devoured all the inhabitants here. Now, due to their fear, not even a human shadow is seen for two kos (about four miles) around. If someone mistakenly comes here, they do not return alive. It is to slay this very Tadaka that I have brought you here."

Ram asked in astonishment, "Gurudev, women are delicate and weak, so how did Tadaka acquire the strength of a thousand elephants? It seems there must be some secret."

Vishwamitra said, "My child, your statement is true, and there is indeed a secret behind it. There was an extremely powerful Yaksha named Suketu. He was childless. Therefore, with the aim of obtaining progeny, he performed severe penance to Lord Brahma. Pleased with his penance, Lord Brahma granted him the boon of having a child, as a result of which Tadaka was born. When Suketu asked for Tadaka to be extremely strong, Lord Brahma endowed her body with the strength of a thousand elephants."

"Upon reaching marriageable age, Suketu married Tadaka to a demon named Sunda, and Marich was born from them. Marich was also as strong and valiant as his mother. Although he was the son of the demon Sunda, he himself was not a demon, but in his childhood, he was very mischievous. He used to torment sages and ascetics without reason. Troubled by his mischief, one day Sage Agastya cursed him to become a demon. Sunda became extremely enraged upon his son becoming a demon and rushed to kill Sage Agastya. Thereupon, Sage Agastya cursed Sunda, instantly incinerating him. To avenge her husband's death, Tadaka also pounced on Sage Agastya. Thereupon, Sage Agastya cursed Tadaka, destroying her beauty, and she became extremely ugly. Seeing her ugliness and to avenge her husband's death, Tadaka resolved to destroy Sage Agastya's ashram. Therefore, O Ram, I command you to slay Tadaka. No one else can slay her except you. Remove from your mind the thought that she is a woman and how can I slay a woman. In the form of a woman, she is a great sin, and there is no sin in destroying sin. Abandon all doubt and, by my command, destroy this sinner."

Ram said, "Gurudev, your command is paramount to me. For the welfare of all humanity, I will surely slay Tadaka." Saying this, Ram placed an arrow on his bowstring, drew it back to his ear, and let out a fearsome twang. The sound produced by the twang resonated throughout the entire forest. Wild animals, frightened, scattered in all directions. Seeing such unexpected commotion, Tadaka was filled with rage. Upon seeing Ram, who had his bow drawn, and thinking that some unfamiliar prince wanted to dominate her kingdom, she became mad with fury. She rushed towards Ram with great speed to attack him. Seeing Tadaka approaching him, Ram said to Lakshman, "O Soumitra, how ugly is the body of this demoness, as huge as a palm tree and with a terrible face. Just by looking at her expression, it seems that she is very violent and must derive great pleasure from killing innocent creatures and drinking their blood. Stand aside carefully and watch how I send her to the abode of Yama right now."

The monstrous Tadaka, flashing her large teeth and spreading her arms, pounced on Ram and Lakshman with lightning speed and intense ferocity. Ram was already prepared for this terrible attack; he shot a sharp arrow, piercing her heart. A stream of hot blood flowed from her chest. Before she could break forth again to attack, Ram shot another arrow which struck directly in her chest. She screamed in pain, spun around, and fell to the ground, and in the very next moment, her life departed. Sage Vishwamitra was extremely pleased by Ram's combat skill and Tadaka's death. Words of blessing for Ramachandra began to flow from his mouth.

By the Guru's command, everyone spent the night there. In the morning, they saw that due to being freed from Tadaka's terror, the frightfulness and monstrosity of that forest had disappeared. After admiring the beauty of that forest for some time and completing their bath and worship, they set off towards the ashram of Maharishi Vishwamitra.