Satyaketu of Vidarbha

Satyaketu was the king of Vidarbha. He was the father of Padmāvatī and the father-in-law of Ugrasena of Mathurā. The Padma Mahā Purāṇa speaks of him in the Bhūmi Khaṇḍa, Chapters 47–51, as a pratāpavān (powerful, heroic) mahārāja, a great king of Vidarbha.

His wish to see his daughter began the chain of events that led to the daitya Gobhila’s assault on Padmāvatī and, in the end, to the birth of Kaṃsa.

His part in the account

Satyaketu appears only briefly. He missed his daughter and sent a messenger to Ugrasena, asking that Padmāvatī come for a visit. The messenger told Ugrasena of Satyaketu’s affection and of his longing to see her.

Ugrasena agreed out of affection and respect for his father-in-law, and he sent Padmāvatī to Vidarbha. Satyaketu received her with great joy. He welcomed her with gifts of clothing and ornaments and with a father’s love. He let her roam freely in the pleasure forests and gardens of the kingdom. He treated her as the beloved daughter who had come back to her first home.

It was in the forest that Padmāvatī met Gobhila.

Sources

• Padma Mahā Purāṇa, Bhūmi Khaṇḍa, Chapters 47–51 (this account of Satyaketu is in Chapters 47–48)