Gobhila saw Padmavati when he was on the flying chariot, on a mission ordered by his master, Lord Kubera. While flying over Vidharbha, ruled over by King Satyketu, he saw a group of women playing in the river. One particular lady was beautiful beyond imagination. 

Gobhila Smitted by Padmavati

Her red lips curved into a lustrous smile, lighting up her doe eyes. Her form was perfect, the curve of her hips in harmoniously aligned with the rest of her body. Her skin was smooth as silk. Gobhila was smitten. The itch to touch that silky skin turned him on, and he was caught in a whirlpool of lust. 

He used magical powers to know more about her. She was the daughter of King Satyaketu. Her name was Padmavati. She was married to King Ugrasena of Mathura. She was on a short visit to her parents’ home. Gobhila knew she was out of his reach. Even as a demon, he knew the importance of morality and virtue among human beings. He knew his intention to possess her was illicit and immoral.

Yet, he couldn’t control his lust. His body desired this beautiful woman in a way that left him weak and vulnerable. He could have had any other woman from his clan. He needed to wait for just a little while more, and he could have had a woman happily willing to satisfy his lust in the kingdom he was travelling to. 

But his body and mind refused to listen, overcome and utterly enamoured with the gorgeous Padmavati. He decided to have her, at any cost. He quietly got down from the chariot, assumed the form of King Ugrasena, again with the power of his magic, and approached Padmavati.

Padmavati Falls for the Disguise

She was delighted, although a little confused, to see her husband at her parents’ house. “What are you doing here? And how did you reach so soon? Even if you left after me, it should have taken you much longer to reach Vidarbha?”

“Hahaha! You doubt the power of my love for you, Padmavati? It was but my true and uncontrollable love that gave wings to my horse. I missed you as soon as you left for your father’s place, and I left almost immediately after that. Come to me. I must have you now.”

She blushed shyly even as her own desire for the man in front of him took hold of her. Leaving her friends behind, Padmavati and Gobhila made love in the forest. Even as he held her, she had her doubts. 

Why are his hands suddenly so strong and coarse? How did my husband suddenly become so rough in his behaviour?

But in the throes of desire, she pushed these doubtful thoughts aside and lay with the man until she was fully satisfied. It was only when Gobhila showed his true appearance at the end of the act that Padmavati’s heart filled with guilt, regret, and a sense of doom. 

What have I done? I should have known it was humanly impossible for my husband to have been here so soon after my arrival. And why didn’t I hold back when I doubted this man’s coarseness of touch and his rough behaviour, very unlike my husband?

Overcome by fear, she screamed at the demon. “How dare you mislead me?”

“Come on, my dear, beautiful damsel of Vidarbha. Even you enjoyed it, didn’t you? You knew it was not possible for it to be your husband, and yet you gave in to your lust? Don’t worry. No one will know. And I bless you that the son born of his union will be a conqueror of the world. He will be strong like our race, and his dominion will increase so much that people across Bharatvarsha will fear him. You will be proud to be his mother.”

She ran away from the demon and told her parents about the horrible deceit. They were shocked but decided to keep quiet about the entire episode. They sent her back to her husband’s home, where he welcomed her warmly and continued to shower his love on his beloved wife. 

Soon, Padmavati gave birth to a strong son, Kamsa. As promised by Gobhila, he was strong and powerful even as a child, and there was little doubt that he would grow up to be a powerful king lording over territories. It was only Padmavati who knew and worried about what kind of nature this son of hers would have. 

Author’s Note:

This story of Kama’s conception appears in the Padma Purana. Gobhila, also known as Drumila, was Kubera’s servant.

This post is a part of BlogchatterA2Z Challenge 2026

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