Shloka 1.24.31
गङ्गा–सरयू-सङ्गमः, मलद–करूश-देशकथा, ताटकावनप्रवेशोपदेशः (The Confluence of Gaṅgā and Sarayū; the Tale of Malada–Karūśa; Counsel on Tātakā’s Forest)
न हि कश्चिदिमं देशं शक्नोत्यागन्तुमीदृशम्।यक्षिण्या घोरया राम उत्सादितमसह्यया।।1.24.31।।
imau janapadau nityaṃ vināśayati rāghava |
maladāṃś ca karūśāṃś ca tāṭakā duṣṭacāriṇī ||1.24.28||
“O Rāghava, that wicked-doing Tāṭakā continually devastates these two regions—Malada and Karūśa.”
O Rama! none dare approach this country ravaged by such dreadful, intolerable yakshini.
A ruler/hero’s dharma is protection: when innocents and settlements are repeatedly harmed, adharma must be restrained.
Viśvāmitra informs Rāma that Tāṭakā is ravaging the nearby regions, motivating the coming confrontation.
Responsibility to protect society—Rāma is being called to act as a guardian against persistent wrongdoing.