Ramayana_VOLUME V with index

Maricha and Subahu
Rama hurls Maricha far away and the inner meaning of
letting Maricha go:
The sage Viswamitra took Rama (and Lakshmana) for the
protection of his yaga from the depredations of Thataki and her
sons. Maricha was one of the sons. After Rama had killed
Thataki, Maricha appeared to disturb the Yaga. (SSS Vol.23
p.43)
Rama, through His Divine Vision, knew where the leading ogres,
Maricha 98 and Subahu were, and he released the Manasa arrow
in that direction. It struck the breast of Maricha, and stopped any
further mischief from him. Next he shot the Agniastra (Fire
weapon) at Subahu and it got lodged in the heart of Subahu.
Rama understood that if their corpses dropped on the holy region
the hermitage itself will be polluted. So to prevent that sinful
contact, the arrows of Rama carried the vicious bodies hundreds
of miles afar and cast them into the ocean! Maricha and Subahu
shrieked and groaned in unbearable agony and struggled
desperately amidst the waves; but they did not die. (RKRV Part I
p.117)
Rama then released the Agniastra on Subahu, who collapsed on
the ground then and there. Rama followed this up by launching
the Vayu Astra on the followers of Subahu who then melted into
thin air instantaneously. (SSB 1996 p.25)
98
See Chapter Viswamitra - The Yagna at Siddhashram and the destruction
of Maricha and Subahu
251