Shloka 1.26.8

ताटकावधः (The Slaying of Tāṭakā)

Devanagari script

तं शब्दमभिनिध्याय राक्षसी क्रोधमूर्छिता।श्रुत्वा चाभ्यद्रवद्वेगाद्यतश्शब्दो विनिस्सृत:।।1.26.8।।

Transliteration

taṃ śabdam abhinidhyāya rākṣasī krodhamūrchitā |

śrutvā cābhyadravad vegād yataḥ śabdo vinissṛtaḥ ||

Translation

Reflecting on that sound, the rākṣasī—overcome by fury—hearing it, rushed swiftly toward the direction from which the sound had arisen.

Context

Hearing that sound, the demoness thought for a while and senseless with anger rushed in the direction where the sound had come from.

Characters & Entities

• Tāṭakā (rākṣasī)
• direction/source of sound

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

Unchecked anger (krodha) drives adharma into reckless action; the verse shows how moral disorder manifests as impulsive violence.

What is the narrative situation?

Tāṭakā identifies the challenge and charges rapidly toward the source of the bow’s sound.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

By contrast, the verse highlights the vice of anger-driven action, setting the stage for dhārmic restraint and decisive protection by Rāma.