The love saga of Kalki and Padmavati didn’t begin with love but with a curse, given by none other than Lord Shiva. A strange curse that turned every man who looked at Padmavati with desire, into a woman. Her beauty was divine, her heart full of devotion, yet her fate was wrapped in loneliness and fear.
Why would Lord Shiva give such an intense and isolating boon to the goddess of fortune? What happens when divine beauty becomes a barrier to love instead of a blessing? How could such a powerful curse lead to the purest love and how did the destroyer of darkness fall in love before lifting his sword?
This is the untold story of Kalki and Padmavati— a divine love, guarded by gods, tested by fate and stronger than any curse.
Let’s travel back to where it all began with Vedic Stories.
Divine Message from Sinhala
One peaceful evening, Lord Kalki was resting when his divine parrot, Suka, returned from a distant island called Sinhala (modern day Sri Lanka), a land filled with golden palaces, sparkling gates, and lakes blooming with lotuses.
Suka bowed respectfully and shared something that would change Lord Kalki’s path forever but before we understand why this message was so important, we must go back and learn about the princess of Sinhala — Padmavati, the daughter of King Brihadratha.
She was not just beautiful, but deeply spiritual. While meditating with her friends, she had once attracted the attention of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati themselves. They recognized her as the earthly form of Goddess Lakshmi.
Lord Shiva gave her a rare blessing that she would marry Shri Kalki. No other man would ever be able to touch her heart. If any man, whether god, demon or human, looked at her with desire, he would instantly turn into a woman. At first, this seemed like a divine blessing but Padmavati had no idea this boon would soon become the reason for her deepest sorrow.
Padmavati’s Cursed Swayamvara
When Padmavati became of marriageable age, her father, King Brihadratha, decided to organize a Swayamvara for her. He remembered Lord Shiva’s blessing but still went ahead with the plan. Kings from many lands came to take part in the ceremony but something strange happened.
As soon as any king looked at Padmavati with desire in his heart, he changed into a woman. One after another, all the kings lost their original forms. Shiva’s blessing had turned into a curse. The kings were no longer able to win her hand. Instead, they all became her companions, confused and full of shame.
Padmavati’s heart was filled with pain as she watched the kings turn into women before her eyes. What was meant to be a joyful moment had become a painful reminder of her curse. Slowly, she removed her ornaments and sat quietly, her eyes filled with tears.
Despite all her devotion to Lord Shiva, despite the promise of Lord Narayana as her destined husband, nothing seemed to bring her peace. Was her worship meaningless? Had the divine blessing of Shiva become a punishment? She said that if even Lord Hari did not accept her, she would end her life while remembering His name.
What a strange twist of fate, she was longing in sorrow, while Lord Kalki had no idea she even existed. But in this divine plan, nothing goes unseen. There was someone who had seen her pain— Suka, the celestial parrot.
Padmavati’s Message Reaches Kalki
Suka listened carefully to Padmavati’s sorrows and spoke gently to comfort her. He told her that her devotion was pure and true, and that across the sea, someone was truly meant for her. It was none other than Lord Kalki, the Supreme Lord Himself.
Hearing this, Padmavati’s heart filled with hope. Her eyes sparkled with joy for the first time in a long while. Through Suka, she came to know about Kalki, his birth and the divine journey he had walked so far. After hearing everything, Padmavati folded her hands and humbly requested Suka to bring her Lord to her.
Suka promised her that he would return to Shambhala and tell everything to Lord Kalki. Without delay, he flew back to Shambhala. When Lord Kalki heard about Padmavati, He gently placed Suka on His lap and praised him for doing something even the gods would find difficult.
Without wasting a moment, Lord Kalki mounted His divine horse, Devadatta and rode swiftly across the sea, his heart set on reaching the island of Sinhala, where the one who truly waited for Him lived.
Meeting Beneath the Kadamba Tree
After crossing the great ocean, Lord Kalki finally reached Sinhala. He rested near a calm lake surrounded by Kadamba trees and asked Suka to inform Padmavati about his arrival.
Padmavati was lying quietly on her lotus-shaped bed when Suka reached her. Her heart was still heavy with sorrow, but the moment she heard that Lord Kalki had come, a wave of happiness rushed through her. With her eight companions, she quickly got ready and left the palace to meet him. Her steps were full of hope, just like Rukmini’s when she went to meet Krishna.
As Padmavati reached the lake, she saw Lord Kalki resting under a Kadamba tree. He looked calm and divine. But her joy suddenly turned into fear. She remembered the curse. She thought what if even Lord Kalki turned into a woman just by looking at her?
She stopped Suka from waking him up but Lord Kalki, who already knew what she was thinking, slowly opened his eyes.
Words of the Heart
Lord Kalki saw Padmavati standing quietly in front of him. Her eyes were filled with both hope and hesitation. He looked at her calmly, with affection and respect. In his heart, he knew she was the one he had been destined to meet.
Padmavati felt nervous, but there was peace in her heart. After everything she had gone through, she finally stood before the one she had waited for. Slowly, she folded her hands and spoke. Her words were simple, but full of meaning.
She told Lord Kalki that her devotion, prayers and pain had all been for him. She didn’t see herself as someone special but she believed that her love and faith had brought her to this moment. Kalki listened, and in that quiet exchange, both understood that their journey toward each other had finally reached its purpose.
The Wedding of the Yugas
After her meeting with Lord Kalki, Padmavati returned to the palace, her heart was full of peace and devotion. She sent a message to her father, King Brihadratha, informing him of Kalki’s arrival.
When the king heard that Narayana Himself had come for his daughter, he was overwhelmed. He quickly ordered preparations for a grand welcome. The palace was decorated with flags, flowers, and lights. Priests, ministers, and musicians were called, and the entire city of Karumati was filled with joy and celebration.
Lord Kalki was welcomed with full honor. Sacred rituals were performed, and in a divine ceremony, Padmavati and Kalki were married. Their union was not just a royal wedding, it was the reunion of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Narayana. A moment long awaited, not just by them, but by the world itself.
Curse Turned Into a Blessing
After Padmavati and Lord Kalki were married, the kings who had once attended her swayamvara also came to see Him. These were the same kings who had turned into women after looking at Padmavati with desire. They now came with folded hands, full of guilt and humility. They stood before Lord Kalki and bowed at His feet, asking for forgiveness.
Lord Kalki looked at them with kindness. He forgave them and with His divine power, He returned them to their original forms, but something had changed.
These kings were no longer proud or eager to fight. They had seen the truth and felt the Lord’s grace. They had come as suitors, but now they stayed as devotees. From that day, they promised to follow dharma and serve Lord Kalki, not as kings, but as his humble followers.
Feel the divine connection of Kalki and Padmavati come alive in this video – Kalki and Padmavati’s Love Saga | Ram Milan & Shiva’s Boon
Conclusion: A Love Beyond Time
In the middle of Kaliyuga, where darkness and chaos often seem never ending, this story gives us hope. It reminds us that even in the worst times, the divine always finds a way and that true love doesn’t come from desire, it comes from destiny.
The union of Kalki and Padmavati is not just a love story. It is the return of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi— an eternal bond, a promise that light will rise again. In Part 3, we will explore the story of a wise sage who time travelled to understand the power of maaya and the mystery of Lord Kalki, the final avatar of Vishnu. A journey through time, truth and the power of maaya.
Read Part 1 here: The Birth of Kalki: Secret Visit by Ram & Blessings from Shiva – Kalki Purana.
Till then, keep reading Vedic Stories.
