Ayomukhī (Ayomukhi) was a rākṣasī ( rakshasi; a female monster). She looked ugly and ferocious. When, in search of Sītā (Sita), Rāma(Rama) and Lakṣmaṇa (Lakshmana) were crossing Krauñcāraṇya (Kraucharanya; a portion of the forest called Krauncha)and about to enter the hermitage of Sage Mataṅga (Matanga), they met this she-monster in front of a deep cave. Ayomukhī tried to seduce Lakṣmaṇa and embraced him by force. Getting angry, Lakṣmaṇa cut off her limbs.