Episode Eleven - Tadaka, the Mother Demon

Welcome to the eleventh episode of The Journey of Rama. If this is your first encounter with The Journey, please read Episode One first.

The Table of Contents is here:

If you haven’t subscribed to The Journey of Rama, please consider a subscription. You’ll never miss an episode, and they’ll come directly to your inbox!

And please use the buttons at the top of this post to share it on social media. Spread the word!

Every episode is available for free, but if you wish to support the work of creating this publication, click the “Contribute Here” button. 50% of all contributions will be donated to Dhyanyoga Centers.

On with Episode Eleven!

Rama and Lakshman bowed to their father and touched the feet of Vishvamitra. “We will bid goodbye to our mothers,” said Rama, “and prepare for the journey.”

“We’ll be ready to leave within the hour,” added Lakshman, trying not to sound as excited as he felt.

The three queens were waiting in the great hall, anxious to know what was happening. Rama told them quickly and calmly. “How do you feel about going away, my sons?” Kausalya asked.

Rama gave a small smile. “I am glad for the opportunity to spend time with a great holy man like Vishvamitra,” he said, “and to honor father’s promise.”

Lakshman jumped in. “It’s an adventure! Traveling through the forest and hunting demons - How could we not be delighted?” The queens smiled as the two princes took their leave.

Vishvamitra inspected the two young men, ensuring they had appropriate clothing and equipment for the journey. He checked their bows for strength and tautness, examined their quivers, and made sure their arrows were straight. The sage admired the princes, dark-skinned Rama and fair Lakshman, standing tall and eager to depart. It occurred to Vishvamitra that Rama, who was indeed Lord Vishnu, had agreed to leave his home and family to protect his ceremonies. The noble hermit felt humbled and grateful.

They set out along the river Sarayu, walking without conversation, listening to the cry of peacocks and the rustling of branches and leaves as unseen deer moved through the forest. Lakshman was the first to notice the rapid darkening of the sky. He looked toward Vishvamitra for instructions.

“Tadaka approaches,” whispered Vishvamitra, “the mother demoness. She eats the hearts of men. With her sons Maricha and Subahu, Tadaka attacks all holy men mercilessly. She must be destroyed without compassion or hesitation!”

“Please, sir, tell us more,” asked Rama, “why do you command us to put a woman to death? Do not the scriptures forbid a warrior to kill a female? ”

“There is precedent, Rama. Indra dispatched the daughter of Virochana, and Lord Narayana slew the wife of Bhrigu. When it is necessary, it is proper. A king must kill evil ones, regardless of gender.”

“How did this creature come to exist? What is her history?” Rama wanted more information.

“Tadaka was the daughter of a forest sprite, a Yaksha, named Suketu, who performed a fire ceremony in hopes of a child. Suketu was blessed with a daughter as strong as a thousand elephants. That is Tadaka.

“But Yakshas are not evil,” said Lakshman. “Aren’t they mischievous rather than demonic?”

“There is more to the story, Lakshman. When Tadaka came of age, she was married to Sunda. They had a son named Maricha, who, because of his mischief, was cursed and became a demon. When Tadaka’s husband was cursed and killed by the mighty sage Agastya, Tadaka and her sons, Maricha and Subahu, swore revenge on all the forest saints. Tadaka and Subahu became demonic as well, and all three demons, mother and sons, have been torturing us since, terrorizing every yogi in this forest and defiling every sacred ceremony. This is why I’ve brought you to this forest.”

A fierce screeching roar came through the trees.

Lakshman reached over his shoulder for an arrow, but Rama was already in position, arrow notched to the bowstring, ready to pull. Lakshman held his bow but did not arm it.

Over the trees flew Tadaka, her red eyes flashing, her hair whipping in the breeze, her deafening shriek roaring through her sharpened teeth. Rama pulled back his bowstring while he muttered a single mantra, aimed, and fired his arrow straight into the heart of the gigantic demoness. She fell to the ground, dead near Rama’s feet. Rama stood over the demoness and spoke a prayer, sending her soul to a divine world.

“Why did you bless her, Rama?” asked Vishvamitra.

“You commanded me to slay the demoness, Guru-ji, and I did. But she was also a mother who became a demon through another’s fault. Her soul, beneath her evil deeds, remained pure. I can kill a being, but I must bless the soul. It is all my dharma, isn’t it?”

“You are steadfast, Rama, and a faithful follower of dharma! You have protected the sages and priests and, at the same time, freed Tadaka from her demonic curse.” Vishvamitra then suggested they make camp for the night, but before retiring, he gave the princes two sacred formulas: the Bala-Atibala mantras. “Reciting these mantras, you will know neither hunger nor thirst nor fatigue. Nothing can wither your vigor and vitality.” After directing Rama and Lakshman to repeat the mantras after him three times, the sage bade them to sleep.

The following morning, all three bathed in the Sarayu, recited morning prayers, and meditated. After their meditation, they left their campsite for Vishvamitra’s ashram. On the way, Vishvamitra said, “Rama, in my meditation, I received the intuition to give you every divine weapon by which you will always be victorious. Every missile, arrow, and shield the Gods have provided will be yours today and forever. And tomorrow, you two brothers will protect our fire ceremony from the sons of Tadaka.”

I’m not putting any of The Journey of Rama behind a paywall - I wouldn’t feel right. Feel free to take a subscription.

I do hope, however, that you will contribute. Writing is how I make my living, and I’d like to spend a lot more time working on this if I can afford to. Additionally, 50% of the income I derive from this work will be donated to Dhyanyoga Centers to support the spiritual and humanitarian endeavors of my Guru, Shri Anandi Ma. If it weren’t for Her, I’d never have been introduced to the Ramayana. The Journey of Rama is a reader-supported publication.