The
Fall of the House of Thataka
Listen now to the tale of the destruction of the evil
house of Thataka. For these events
occurred long ago when man was first evolving into their own. Originally, the race of demons was a proud
and noble race, with powers that far surpassed the abilities of mankind. Over time the demons grew increasing cruel
and sadistic toward the humans.
Eventually, the demon’s main source of food was human flesh. The Gods and Goddess looked down and upon the
suffering of the humans and grew angry.
They could not in good conscience allow the subjugation of the humans
continue. So many of them sent avatars
of themselves to liberate the humans.
Two
cunning avatars were brothers know as Rama and Lakshmana. Although their ultimate goal was to destroy
the high ruler of demonkind King Ravana, they decided that it would be better
to weaken him. To do this the brothers went
after King Ravana’s allies first. The
first mission was to cause the House of Thataka fall into ruin.
The House of Thataka was a matriarchy, whose clan
leader was a female demon named Thataka.
Word reached her about the brothers entering her territory. After consulting with her son, Maricha, she sounded
the call of the hunt. A great reward was
offered to whoever killed the brothers and gave their heads to Thataka as
tribute.
Unfortunately for Thataka, the
brothers caught her unware. Using her
formidable powers, she attacked the brothers.
However, the brothers were seasoned warriors, and quickly dispatched
Thataka. The battle was the stuff of
legend. Rama aimed to slow her down by
shooting off her arms. Infuriated
Thataka attacked with all her might.
Lakshmana, without pity or remorse cut off Thataka’s ears and nose. Gravely injured the demoness turned invisible
to escape the brothers, while causing an earthquake to bury them with
rocks. Rama using his enhanced sense of
hearing and fired an arrow, which struck down the great matriarch Thataka.
Maricha entered the forest clearing as Rama struck his
mother with the fatal kill shot. So
clouded by anger Maricha called upon his personal guard to help him avenge his
fallen mother. However, the demons did
not notice the celestial weapons that the Gods had given Rama as a reward for
slaying Thataka. When the demons
attacked the brothers, Rama tested out his new arsenal. First, the great firebolt incinerated
Maricha’s lieutenant Subahu. Rama,
knowing Maricha still had a part to play in the coming battle, used the tempest
rod, and swept Maricha out to sea.
For months Maricha mourned the loss of his mother in
an abandoned hermitage near the sea.
King Ravana decided that enough time had passed, went to talk to
Maricha. The king ordered Maricha to
return to the frontlines and do his duty.
If Maricha refused Ravana would behead him as a warning to all other
demons. King Ravana, with his gift of
foresight knew that Maricha was the linchpin to divide the brothers. The plan was a simple one. Maricha, using his shape shifting powers
would lure Rama away. This would weaken
the brothers enough to destroy them both.
Maricha, being clever, transformed into a deer. This deer had a golden pelt with silver
spots, antlers tipped with sapphires, and eyes of blue lotus flowers. As Maricha lead Rama on a merry chase,
Lakshmana stayed behind to look after Rama’s wife Sita. Once again Rama’s aim was true, and his arrow
pierced the heart of the deer. As
Maricha returned to his true form, he used the last of his strength to play one
more trick on the brothers. Disguising
his voice to sound like Rama, Maricha cried to Lakshmana and Sita for
help. At Sita’s request Lakshmana went
searching for Rama.
As the events were witnessed by those who dwell in the
heavens, all deities celebrated. For
they all knew that it is the beginning of the end for all demonkind. Because as they foresaw it all starts with
the fall of the House of Thataka.
Author's Note:
The original versions I read was the PDE epics version. After this note is a bibliography for each of the four sections I used as a starting point. The four were Thataka, Ravana and Maricha, The Golden Deer, and The Chase. I focused on these because they focused on one family of demons. This allowed me freedom to expand on their backstory. I found myself wanting more information about the antagonists of Rama, because they all seemed a little one dimensional.
Bibliography:
Thataka: Indian Myth and Legend, Donald A. Mackenzie
Ravana and Maricha: Myths of the Hindus and Buddhists, by Sister Nivedita (1914)
The Golden Deer: Indian Myth and Legend, by Donald A. Mackenzie (1913)
The Chase: Indian Myth and Legend, by Donald A. Mackenzie (1913)
