________________
60
J. C. Jain
hopes of protecting him. Then she has the terrible fight with her own brother, and manages to save her husband 2 A (5) The third rescue (only VH):
Vegavati picks up Vasudeva and rescues him after he has been pushed off the ridge of a mountain by King Jarasandha's men. They are ecstatic in their reunion
These are the major elements in the life of Vegavati as she appears in relationship to the hero In all the narratives (VH. BKSS, KSS. BKM) these details are recorded with remai kable similarity Such is not the case even with the famous narration of Gandharvadattā, the details of which are absent in the KSS and the BKM
Although Vasudeva goes on to other adventures and other women, Vegavati always remains important to him; proof of this is his desire that she particularly should be chosen to guard him Vegavati's tenacity, courage, fierce loyalty and combined beauty and strength of mind make her a high cut above most of other women characterised in the narration. Undoubtedly she also had these qualities as well in the original Byhatkathā.
29 In the BKSS (XV 155-156) Naravahanadatta requests Amrtagati to
go and assist Vegavati in her fight with Mänasavega.
