Bṛhadratha of Siṃhala
Bṛhadratha was the strong and brave king of Siṃhala Dvīpa, a great island in the ocean. His daughter was Padmāvatī, who by divine will was to become the consort of Bhagavān Kalki. Bhagavān Vishṇu named Bṛhadratha when he promised that Padmā, the avatāra of Lakshmī, would be born in his house. The Kalki Purāṇa calls him a mahāsainya (a commander of great armies).
His part in the plan of Bhagavān Vishṇu
Bhagavān Vishṇu spoke to the assembled devas at Goloka and promised his descent as Kalki. There he named Bṛhadratha. He said that Padmā, the avatāra of Lakshmī, would be born as the daughter of King Bṛhadratha of Siṃhala Dvīpa and his queen Kaumudī, with eyes like lotuses. Bṛhadratha was the father chosen by the will of Bhagavān Vishṇu to receive the avatāra of Lakshmīdevī into his house. (Kalki Purāṇa, Prathamāṃśa, Chapter 1.)
Siṃhala Dvīpa, his kingdom
Bṛhadratha ruled Siṃhala Dvīpa. The Kalki Purāṇa describes it as a rich and lovely island:
- It was full of great palaces (prāsāda) and fine mansions (harmya).
- Its walls were set with gems and crystal and shone with gold.
- It had lakes of reddish water full of lotuses, where swans and other water birds came.
- It was sweet with the honey scent of flowers in bloom and loud with bees.
- All four varṇas lived there, each in its own dharma.
- Gardens and groves spread across the island.
He was a king of great military strength (mahāsainya), able to defend his island and command great power. (Kalki Purāṇa, Prathamāṃśa, Chapter 4.)
Family
- Queen Kaumudī, his chief queen and the mother of Padmāvatī
- Padmāvatī, his daughter, an avatāra of Lakshmīdevī, meant to be the consort of Bhagavān Kalki
The svayaṃvara
When Padmāvatī reached marriageable age, Bṛhadratha became deeply worried. He feared some misfortune if he did not find a fit husband. He said to Queen Kaumudī, “O auspicious one! I wish to give our daughter to a prince of excellent lineage, character and learning.”
Kaumudī reminded him of the vara (boon) of Bhagavān Śiva: Śrī Hari alone would be Padmāvatī’s husband. The king doubted this. He said, “How can Śrī Hari, who lives in all hearts, come to take my daughter’s hand? What puṇya (merit) of mine could win me such a son-in-law? Like the ancient ṛshi who looked for a divine husband for his daughter Vedavatī, I will hold a svayaṃvara. Śrī Hari will appear in it.”
With this resolve Bṛhadratha arranged a great svayaṃvara and invited all fit princes. He made fine arrangements in Siṃhala Dvīpa for the royal guests. The kings who came were received with honour. They were given music and dance and were feasted well.
Every prince at the assembly was turned into a woman when he looked at Padmāvatī with desire. (Kalki Purāṇa, Prathamāṃśa, Chapter 5.)
Sources
- Kalki Purāṇa, Prathamāṃśa, Chapter 1
- Kalki Purāṇa, Prathamāṃśa, Chapter 4
- Kalki Purāṇa, Prathamāṃśa, Chapter 5