Vedavati
VEDAVATI.
[Source:
Dowson's Classical Dictionary
of Hindu Mythology] The 'vocal
daughter' of the Rishi Kusadhwaja, son of Brihaspati. When Ravana was
passing through a forest in the Himalaya he met with Vedavati, 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 practiced austerities to gain Vishnu
for her spouse. Nothing daunted, Ravana 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 Sita, and was the moving cause of Ravana's
death, though Rama was the agent. - Muir's Texts, ii. 498, iv. 458.
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Modern
Languages MLLL-4993. Indian Epics. Laura Gibbs, Ph.D.
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