The story of Vedavathi starts in the Treta Yuga during the period of Ramayana and ends during the reign of Venkateswara of Tirupati in the Kali Yuga. It is believed that Lord Vishnu who knew that Mata Sita will be kidnapped by Ravana hid her inside fire (Agni). The Sita that was kidnapped by Ravana was Vedavathi.
Story of Birth of Vedavathi
Maya was a scholar who used to recite the Vedas always. Once, he came across a nymph Urvashi. He got enamoured of her and his semen got ejected. Out of this emerged Lakshmi as a child. She was named Vedavathi, because she was born when the Vedas were recited.
Rama Gives Boon To Vedavathi
After Ravana’s killing in Ramayana and Sita’s fire-trial, two women who liked Mata Sita, emerged from the flames.
Agni, the fire god, told perplexed Rama, ‘O Ramachandra! The lady who stayed in Lanka till now was Vedavathi. Actual Sita is with me.”
Sita asked Rama to marry Vedavathi who underwent suffering in Lanka for her sake. But, Rama told her: “I am committed to the vow of single wife in Treta Yuga. In Kali Yuga, I will manifest as Srinivasa and Vedavathi will be born as Padmavathi. Then I will marry her.” Vedavathi is thus a manifestation of Goddess Lakshmi.