So saying, he strung his bow and twanged it till the forest echoed to its shrill
note and the wild animals scattered in all directions in terror. It reached Taataka in her
fastness, filling her with amazement at the audacious intruder who dared enter her domain.
Raging with anger, she ran in the direction whence the sound came and sprang on Rama. The
battle began.
The prince at first thought of cutting off
the limbs of the monster and sparing her life. But Taataka attacked fiercely and, rising
in the sky, she rained stones on Rama and Lakshmana. The two princes defended themselves
against the attack. The fight continued and Viswaamitra cautioned Rama against delay in
dealing the death-blow to the monster. |
