Rishi Agastya said, ‘O Raghaba! After getting boon from Lord Shiva, the Rakshas king Ravana began to range the entire world with pride. His journey was only focused on vanquishing all the warriors on the earth and proclaiming himself the Lord of the three worlds! While he was ranging the earth, he came to the Himalayan forest and began to explore it.
Suddenly his eyes stopped blinking beholding a beautiful young ascetic adorned her body with black antelope skin and matted locks. She was looking radiant as a goddess! She was deeply involved in practicing her penances. Beholding her beauty, Ravana’s mind was filled with desire. Thus, laughing aloud, Ravana addressed her, ‘O beautiful Young lady! Who are you? It doesn't suit you to dress up like an ascetic this age! It is hard to resist one’s desire for you. O Timid lady! Whose daughter are you? Who is your consort? He must be a fortunate one, indeed! O Lovely lady, tell me everything in detail why have you engaged yourself in these hard penances?’
Offering hospitality to Ravana, the beautiful lady said, ‘O king of Rakshasas! Listen to me—- I am the daughter of a great Brahmarishi Kushadhwaja, son of Brihaspati! In wisdom, he is no less than his father. Know that, I am born of the speech of that magnanimous One, who is ever engaged in the study of Veda! Thus, my name is Vedavati. The Devas, Gandharvas, Pannagas, and Rakshasas asked my hand for marriage to my Sire but he rejected all. He had chosen Vishnu, the Supreme Lord as my consort. It is He to whom I have given my heart! He is no other than Narayana, the Supreme Purusha! For the sake of Narayana, I have undergone this penance. By the grace of my merits, O Paulastya, I know who you are!’
Dying with desire, the great Ravana dismounting from his chariot said, ‘O Lotus-eyed beautiful lady! Don't waste your beauty and youth with useless thoughts of Vishnu! By the way, who is that Vishnu to whom you have bestowed your heart? Be my consort and enjoy your life according to your whim. In every respect of valor, strength, and asceticism, we are far superior to your so-called Vishnu, the Maha Purusha! O lovely one! Your youth is passing away, and I am the rakshasas king Ravana! Choose me as your consort!’
Hearing his harsh words against Narayana, Vedavati cried out, ‘Fie, fie on you, O Lankesh! Reject that person at once, thinking him as poison who doesn't pay homage to the Supreme Lord of this Universe- Lord Vishnu!’
Excited by lust, the Night Ranger Lankesh lost his wisdom and caught hold of the hair of Vedavati. Enraged with his behavior, Vedavati cut off her hair with her hand which had been transformed into a sword. Eyes reddened with anger as if she would consume that night-Ranger cried out, ‘O nasty Rakshasa, since you have affronted me, I do not wish to live any longer and shall throw myself into the fire just before your eyes. O Vile Rakshasa, I shall be reborn for your destruction! I desire not to curse you, as to spoil the merits of my penances but if I have ever given anything in charity then may I be blessed to be reborn to a noble, virtuous man!’
As she finished her words, she threw herself into the burning fire she had ignited.
‘O Rama! That Vedavati is Sita, daughter of King Janaka and your consort! O Raghava, you are the eternal Vishnu!’ said Rishi Agastya
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