Shloka 1.26.7
ताटकावधः (The Slaying of Tāṭakā)
तेन शब्देन वित्रस्तास्ताटकावनवासिन:।ताटका च सुसंक्रुद्धा तेन शब्देन मोहिता।।1.26.7।।
tena śabdena vitrastās tāṭakāvanavāsinaḥ |
tāṭakā ca susaṃkruddhā tena śabdena mohitā ||
At that sound the dwellers of Tāṭakā’s forest were terrified; and Tāṭakā herself, enraged, was also thrown into agitation by that sound.
The dwellers of the Tataka forest were terrified by the sound (of the bow). Tataka, was might angry and amazed.
It contrasts dharma and adharma: the unrighteous respond with rage and disturbance when confronted by rightful force.
The bow’s twang alarms the forest; Tāṭakā becomes furious and unsettled, setting the confrontation in motion.
Indirectly, Rāma’s fearless initiative is highlighted by the fear and agitation it causes among hostile forces.