A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature c5.2061

c5.2061

VEDAVATĪ. The ‘vocal daughter’ of the Rishi Kusa-dhwaja, son of Brihaspati. When Rāvana was passing through a forest in the Himālaya he met with Vedavatī, a damsel of great beauty dressed in ascetic garb. He fell in love and tried to win her. She told him that gods and Gandharvas had sought to woo her, but her father would give her to no one but Vishnu, whom he desired for his son-in-law. Provoked at this resolution, Sambhu, king of the Daityas, slew her father; but she remained firm to her father’s wish, and practised austerities to gain Vishnu for her spouse. Nothing daunted, Rāvana urgently pressed his suit, and boasted that he was superior to Vishnu. He then touched her hair with the tip of his finger. This greatly incensed her, and she forthwith cut off her hair, and said she would enter into the fire before his eyes, adding, “Since I have been insulted in the forest by thee who art wicked-hearted, I shall be born again for thy destruction.” So she entered the blazing fire, and celestial flowers fell all around. It was she who was born again as Sītā, and was the moving cause of Rāvana’s death, though Rāma was the agent.—*Muir’s Texts*, ii. 498, iv. 458.