Written by Bhu__2007

Daughter of Suketu, wife of Sunda and Sumali, mother of Maricha, Subahu and Kaikesi, grandmother of Ravan, Vibhishan, Kumbakarn, Shurpanaka and others, a yakshi turned into demoness who was killed by Sri Ram. She is TATAKA

There was a Yaksha named Suketu, who had no children. Craving for children, he performed a yagna to please Brahma. Brahma, being pleased by Suketu's devotion, blessed him with a daughter who had the strength of 1,000 elephants. She was Tataka.

When Tataka attained the age of marriage, she was married to Sunda, son of Jambha. She later gave birth to Maricha and Subahu who also were powerful just like their parents. Her sons were handsome and noble too. It is also said that Tataka had married Sumali too and had a daughter Kaikesi (mother of Ravan).

Once, Sunda attacked the ashram of Agastya in an intoxicated state. Enraged by the misbehaviour of Sunda, Sage Agastya burnt him using his meditative powers.

After getting to know about her husband's death, Tataka decided to attack the ashram of Agastya with her sons to seek vengeance. Sage Agastya, who was infuriated, cursed Maricha and Subahu that they attain demon-hood. He also cursed Tataka saying that, 'forthwith divested [free] of this form of a beautiful female, oh, great yakshii, you shall become a man eater with your form distorted [twisted], face contorted [deformed], and shape monstrous.'

As revenge, Tataka, Maricha and Subahu attempted to harass as many rishis as they could, by destroying their with rains of flesh and blood. Brahmarishi was especially at the receiving end of Tataka's harassment.

Unable to cope with her mischief any longer, finally approached , the King of , for help. The King obliged by sending two of his four sons, the16-yr-olds, and , to the forest, charging them to protect both and his .

When Tataka, Maricha and Subahu both attempted to destroy yet another of 's yagnas, warned them not do so. They responded by laughing at , and deriding him as a 'mere boy'. The 'mere boy' retaliated by slaying Tataka swiftly. Rama fired his Manavastra (which could hit a target miles away) from his bow. The arrow struck Maricha's chest and threw him a hundred leagues away, into the ocean. In another version, Maricha fled to the ocean just by hearing the sound of Rama's bow. Subahu and the other demons were killed by Rama, using various other weapons. The sacrifice was completed successfully.

A/N: Revenge is always not the solution. You are digging your own grave by doing that. Tataka who was a beautiful Yakshi, became cursed and turned into a horrified demoness. By knowing her story, people should remember that craving for revenge is harmful for you more than your enemy. Don't repeat what Tataka did!

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April 13th 2021
Tuesday