This suggests that Viswamitra being a guru, his order should be obeyed without hesitation. Dasaratha too, had instructed Rama to do whatever Viswamitra would ask. When the order of one guru cannot be transgressed how can the orders of two gurus be defied? Therefore, Rama agreed to kill Tataka although killing of a woman is prohibited by sastras. Rama’s words to Kausalya in Ayodhyakanda suggest the same thing. The wise sage Kandu, killed a cow at the instance of his father although he was aware of the prohibitives of dharma. In obedience to his father, Jamadagnya Rama cut into pieces his own mother with his axe.
Rama’s action vindicated 1.26.11, 12, 26
Noticing that Tataka, provoked by the twang of his bow was charging towards them, Rama said to Lakshmana, “I shall not kill her”, after having first agreed to do so out of respect for his guru’s words? A woman should not be killed instantly. First, she should be disfigured and tortured. If that is not enough, she should be killed when attacked. ‘A desperado must be killed without hesitation’ say the sastras. Thus the injunctions of the sastras should be adhered to, the accusation by people can be avoided and guru’s orders obeyed. With this intention, Rama must have said it. Thus there is no contradiction. If Rama did not want to kill her, he would have thrown her away with manavastra as he did in the case of Maricha. However, Rama killed her only after he cut her hands, Lakshmana, her ears and nose while she was showering stones and mud by her supernormal power. Evening was the fast approaching which would have enhanced the strength of the demoness. Therefore, Viswamitra impelled Rama to shake off his pity, and shoot her.
Why did they go to attend Janaka’s sacrificial ceremony univited? Because there is no prohibition in the sastras (Gautama).
Sarga-26
Obedience to the guru 1.26.1-6
This suggests that Viswamitra being a guru, his order should be obeyed without hesitation. Dasaratha too, had instructed Rama to do whatever Viswamitra would ask. When the order of one guru cannot be transgressed how can the orders of two gurus be defied? Therefore, Rama agreed to kill Tataka although killing of a woman is prohibited by sastras. Rama’s words to Kausalya in Ayodhyakanda suggest the same thing. The wise sage Kandu, killed a cow at the instance of his father although he was aware of the prohibitives of dharma. In obedience to his father, Jamadagnya Rama cut into pieces his own mother with his axe.
Rama’s action vindicated 1.26.11, 12, 26
Noticing that Tataka, provoked by the twang of his bow was charging towards them, Rama said to Lakshmana, “I shall not kill her”, after having first agreed to do so out of respect for his guru’s words? A woman should not be killed instantly. First, she should be disfigured and tortured. If that is not enough, she should be killed when attacked. ‘A desperado must be killed without hesitation’ say the sastras. Thus the injunctions of the sastras should be adhered to, the accusation by people can be avoided and guru’s orders obeyed. With this intention, Rama must have said it. Thus there is no contradiction. If Rama did not want to kill her, he would have thrown her away with manavastra as he did in the case of Maricha. However, Rama killed her only after he cut her hands, Lakshmana, her ears and nose while she was showering stones and mud by her supernormal power. Evening was the fast approaching which would have enhanced the strength of the demoness. Therefore, Viswamitra impelled Rama to shake off his pity, and shoot her.
Why did they go to attend Janaka’s sacrificial ceremony univited? Because there is no prohibition in the sastras (Gautama).