Thataka Vanam
Rama & Lakshmana having completed their daily chores including Prayers in the morning came with Sage Vishwamithra to the banks of Ganges.The Saints there had meanwhile organized a suitable Boat and said to Sage Kaushika “ Please board this boat with 2 Princes, do not delay, you will have no problem, you can go comfortably” mentally thinking of the Slaying of Thataka. Kaushika took leave of them and they crossed Ganga River. While they were crossing the river the waves were overlapping each other creating Sound, then Rama asked what is the reason for such a noise. Kaushika replied “ Brahma mentally created a Lake called Manasarovar
Manasarovar Lake Pic Courtsey Wiki pedia:every year).Since thisRiver has commenced from there it is called Sarayu.This starts West of Ayodhya runs in Noin Kubhera’s place in Kailash in Himalayas(even today existing in China Tibet and Indians visit rth east , crosses AngaDesa and falls in Ganga river. Since it is clashing of 2 Rivers Ganga and Sarayu it is making such noise. Please pray to this 2 holy Rivers with Reverence (Bhakthi).”advised Sage Vishwamithra alias Kaushika.
The 2 Princes bowed with reverence and crossed Ganga river and saw a Dense Forest with following types of Trees Karungali(similar to English Oak knownas Teak wood ), Ashwakarnam,Bhilvam(Bael) with bunch of 3 Leaves,Padhiri(Neem), ilanthai(Indian Plum or Falmboyant). The forest was so thick it was not easy to transgress same.There were different type of Birds and the earth worms were making strange noises, filled with Lions, Tigers, and wild Boars making fearsome Sounds.The 2 Princes asked “Sire whom does this Forest belong to? “.
Sage replied “ Hey Rama belonging to the Kakustha clan, the 2 counties Maladha & Karusha were created by Devas-Celestials and was full of wealth and Granary. When Indra killed Vridhasura the Brahamahathi Dosha(Sin of killing a Human) and Hunger over took him . Devas in order to cleanse him of this grave sin gave him bath with waters from Holy Ganga reciting Manthra(Verses). Immediately those troubles wentaway. Since this place removed the Dirt(Maladh&Karusha ) may these 2 places be known thus an blessed. Celestails were happy to see their King Indra cleansed of his sins.and celebrated and this place had been prospering and all the People had been living happily for long.
Thereafter an Yaksha named Sundhan married a Lady calledThataka. She has strength of 1000 Elephants. Her son Mareecha is as strong as Indra who has huge mouth, matchless Strength & Valour, has been terrorizing the pople of these 2 Counties and converted it to a Forest.in 1 ½ Yojanas he and his mother Thataka are living there. Hence this place is known as ThatakaVanam or Thataka Forest. Rama may all Auspiciousness be showered on you. Since this place is destroyed by the Yaksha Lady Thataka this place in uninhabitable for long now and no one comes here. Their troubles continues even now. Hence as per my order please kill this Lady with your strength and make this place once more inhabitable for all humans to live peacefully. Hence I have told of you this scary past. (Slokas 24)
****************.