Sage Visvamitra ordered Rama to kill Tataka. ‘Please accept my apologies, I do not fight or kill women,’ Rama said humbly. ‘Rama, as a Kshatriya, it is your bounden duty to protect the innocent and slay the wicked. You are a prince and the future king of Ayodhya; you are responsible for the welfare of your subjects. As your elder and guru, I am ordering you to kill Tataka and rid this forest of her.’ Without another word, Rama strung his bow and shot an arrow, which pierced Tataka’s heart and she fell down.