Rama, ever vigilant, left Lakshmana in the forest to protect Janaki, his beloved Sita. But soon, the illusory deer, conjured by Ravana’s cunning, cried out in a voice mimicking Lakshmana’s name, “Lakshmana!” This desperate cry echoed through the woods, unsettling all who heard it. Meanwhile, at the great gate of Vaikuntha, a servant among the gatekeepers, by the curse of the sages Sanaka and others, was transformed into the form of a rakshasi. She, too, heard the distressed cry, “Lakshmana!” With Lakshmana lured away by the false call, Ravana, impossible to restrain, approached Rama. Rama, seeing Lakshmana in the forest, was overcome with despondency. Having fallen unconscious for a long time, he awoke and lamented intensely once more. In time, news of Sita’s abduction reached him through a vulture by the riverbank. Resolute, Rama journeyed to Lanka and, as the foremost of the Raghu dynasty, slew Ravana with a single arrow. Afterwards, Rama quickly arranged for the fire ordeal to be performed. In this trial by fire, Sita’s shadow, humble and reverent, spoke to Agni and to Rama. Agni, the fire god, assured her, “By performing austerity right here, you shall attain the fortune of heaven.” Hearing these words, Sita’s shadow undertook austerity at Pushkara. In time, through her intense penance, she arose from the sacrificial fire-pit. In the Krita Yuga, she was born as Vedavati, the auspicious daughter of Kushadhvaja. Her shadow, in the Dvapara Yuga, became the goddess Draupadi, the daughter of Drupada. Narada then said, “Thus, O great lord, all doubts are removed from your mind.” Narayana explained, “That shadow, endowed with beauty and youth, was greatly distressed. By the command of Rama and Agni, she performed austerity and sought a boon from Shankara.” She pleaded, “Give me a husband, give me a husband, give me a husband, O three-eyed one!” Hearing her request, Shiva, the lord of rasa, smiled. Because of this, she became the beloved wife of the five Pandavas. Then Rama, having attained the enchanting Sita in Lanka, returned and ruled Bharata for eleven thousand years. Vedavati, a portion of Lakshmi, entered into Kamala. The four Vedas are always embodied. Thus, the story of the daughter of Kushadhvaja has been briefly told. Narayana continued: Out of passion, Vedavati sported with the king on Mount Gandhamadana. They prepared a bed for pleasure, adorned with flowers and sandal paste. She, a jewel among women with a graceful form, was adorned with ornaments of precious gems. There was no cessation of lovemaking between the two, both skilled in the art of love. Then, upon her becoming menstruous, the king refrained from lovemaking. She immediately conceived and, remaining chaste, bore the embryo for a hundred divine years. At an auspicious moment, on an auspicious day, under an auspicious conjunction, on the full moon of Kārtika, on a bright day, she gave birth. The child had a pair of lotus-like feet, resplendent with the hue of padmarāga gems, endowed with the fortune of royalty, presiding goddess of royal prosperity. Her lips were like ripe bimba fruit, and she smiled as she gazed about the house. She had three folds below her navel, and rounded, gently swaying hips. Thus unfolds the tale, radiant with the glory of Vedavati, her incarnations, and her divine lineage.