1.25: Thataka's History

As I listened to the sage Viswamithra's words, a mix of emotions surged within me. The tale of Thataka, the formidable Yakshi, unfolded before me, revealing the tragic course of events that led to her transformation into a fearsome creature.

I couldn't help but wonder about her strength, for I had heard that female Yakshis were generally less powerful. My curiosity led me to question the sage, seeking to understand the source of her immense might. He assured me that Thataka's power came from a boon granted by Lord Brahma himself.

Her origin was linked to the great Yaksha Sukethu, who yearned for a child and performed rigorous penance. Pleased with his devotion, Lord Brahma blessed him with a gem of a daughter, who would be known as Thataka. However, Brahma withheld the boon of a male child, as he feared the dangers a son might pose.

Thataka grew up to possess beauty, youth, fame, and the strength of a thousand elephants. She married Sinda, the son of Jamba, and they had a son named Mareecha. Tragically, Mareecha later turned into a Rakshasa due to a curse, leading to a chain of events that spelled doom for Thataka.

After Sinda's demise at the hands of Sage Agasthya's curse, Thataka sought revenge against the sage. In her anger, she attacked Agasthya, prompting him to curse Mareecha to become a Rakshasa and Thataka to take on an ugly, distorted form, destined to consume human beings.

Enraged by the curse, Thataka wreaked havoc on the sage's surroundings, terrorizing the innocent. Hearing this, Viswamithra urged me to take action, for she posed a grave threat to the Brahmins and cows living in the region.

I felt conflicted about the idea of killing a woman, even one as fierce as Thataka. But the sage reminded me of my duty as a prince and future king, bound to protect my subjects. He stressed that rulers sometimes needed to make difficult choices for the greater good, even if it meant setting aside compassion.

To strengthen his argument, Viswamithra mentioned incidents where divine beings had eliminated women who posed a threat to the world. Indra had slain Mandhara, daughter of Virochana, when she sought to destroy the earth. Similarly, Vishnu had eliminated the virtuous wife of Brahaspathi and Sage Shukra's mother when they plotted against the existence of kings.

Drawing upon these examples and the principles of dharma, Viswamithra entrusted me with the responsibility of dealing with Thataka. He emphasized that I was the only one capable of defeating her, and it was my duty to protect the welfare of my people.

Though my heart was heavy with the weight of this decision, I knew that as a leader, I had to be resolute. With a sense of purpose and determination, I accepted the task that lay ahead. The fate of my kingdom and its inhabitants rested on my shoulders, and I vowed to fulfill my duty, even if it meant facing the darkness that threatened the realm.