Mahabharata

Subhadra Harana Parva

Assent of Yudhishthira. Wrath of Baladeva.

Vaishampayana said:
O best of kings, a few days after a great festival of the Vrishnis and the Andhakas was held on the Raivataka hill.

In that mountain-festival of the Bhoja, the Andhakas and the Vrishnis, the hero gave away much wealth to the thousands of Brahmanas.

O king, the region around the hill was adorned with many mansions filled with various gems and they appeared as if they are all Kalpavrikshas (trees giving whatever wanted.)

The musicians played in concert all the musical instruments; the dancers danced and the songsters sang.

The effulgent youths of the Vrishni race, adorned with ornaments and riding on golden cars, looked handsome everywhere.

Hundred and thousands of the citizens with their wives and attendants went there, some on foot and some on excellent cars. O descendant of Bharata, there roved the lord Haladhara (Baladeva), intoxicated with wine, accompanied by his wife Revati and followed by many Gandharvas (musicians)

There was the powerful king of the Vrishnis, Ugrasena, accompanied by his one thousand wives and followed by the Gandharvas.

There were the son of Rohini and ever furious in battle Samba. Intoxicated with drink, adorned with beautiful garlands and attired in costly robes, they sported there like two celestials.

There were Akrura, Sarana, Gada, Babhru, Viduratha, Nishatha, Charudeshna, Pritha, Vipratha. Satyaka, Satyaki, Bhangakara, Maharava, Haridikya, Uddhava and any mothers whose names are not mentioned. They were each separately accompanied by their wives and followed by the musicians. They all adorned that festival on the Raivataka mountain.

When that wonderful festival of great grandeur and delight was continuing, Vasudeva (Krishna) and Partha (Arjuna) went about together.

When thus walking about, they saw the beautiful daughter of Vasudeva, Subhadra, adorned with ornaments in the midst of her companions.

As soon as Arjuna saw her, he was struck by (the arrow) of the god of love. Seeing that Partha was looking at her with absorbed attention, Krishna.

O descendant of Bharata, spoke thus to that best of men (Arjuna) with smiles, "How is it that the mind of one who roams in the forest is thus agitated by desire?

O Partha, she is my sister and also the sister of Sarana. Her name is Subhadra; she is the most beloved daughter of my father. If your mind is set upon her, I shall then speak to my father."

Arjuna said:
She is the daughter of Vasudeva and the sister of Vasudeva (Krishna); endued with so much beauty, whom can she not fascinate?

If your this sister, this lady of the Vrishni race, become my wife, then certainly do I win prosperity in everything.

O Janardana, tell me by what means I may obtain her. I shall do anything achievable by man (in order to obtain her).

Krishna said:
O best of men, Svyaimvara is the marriage form of the Kshatriyas, but, O Partha, that is doubtful, as we do not know her temper and disposition.

The men learned in the precepts of religion say that in the case of heroic Kshatriyas, a forcible taking away of a girl for the purpose of marriage is also praiseworthy.

O Arjuna, therefore, carry away this my sister by force, for who know what she may not do in a Svaimvara?

Vaishampayana said:
Having thus settled everything about what should be done, Krishna and Arjuna sent some swift messengers to Yudhishthira at Indraprastha, informing him of every thing. That mighty-armed son of Pandu (Yudhishthira), as soon as he heard it, gave his assent to it.

Vaishampayana said:
O Janamejaya, having received information of the assent (of Yudhishthira) and learning that the maiden had gone on the Raivataka (hill), Dhananjaya (Arjuna). That best of the Bharata race, obtained the assent of Vasudeva (Krishna) and also settled in consultation with him all that was to be done.

That best of men (Arjuna), attired in armour and armed with the sword and his figures encased in leather fences, set out as if in a hunting excursion on his (Krishna's) well-built golden car, adorned with rows of small bells and equipped with every kind of weapon. The clatter of its wheels resembled the roars of clouds; its splendour was as that of a blazing fire; it struck terror into the hearts of all foes; and the two horses yoked with it were named Sugriva and Shaivya.

Subhadra, having worshipped that king of hills, Raivataka and the celestials and having been blessed by all the Brahmanas, and having walked round the hill, was returning towards Dwarka. The son of Kunti, struck by the arrows of the god of love, suddenly rushed towards that faultless featured Subhadra and forcibly took her upon his chariot.

Thereupon that best of men, having seized that lady of sweet-smiles, proceeded (in haste) on his golden car towards his own city (Indraprastha).

Seeing Subhadra thus forcibly carried away, her armed attendants all ran crying towards the city of Dvarka.

Having arrived all together to that (Yadava) court, called Sudharma, they represented to the Sabhapala (the chief officer of the court), all about the prowess of Partha.

Having heard this, the Sabhapala blew his golden decked trumpet of loud blare, calling every one to arms.

Alarmed by that sound, the Bhojas the Vrishnis and the Andhakas poured in from all directions; even those who were eating and drinking came leaving their food and drink.

Like blazing fires taking faggots to increase their splendour, those best of men, the great car-warriors of the Vrishni and the Andhaka races, possessing the lustre of the blazing fire, took their seats on thousands of golden thrones, covered with excellent carpets and adorned with gems and corals.

When they were all seated like an assembly of celestials, the Sabhapala with his followers narrated all about the conduct of Jishnu (Arjuna).

Having heard it, the proud heroes of the Vrishni, with their eyes red with wine, rose up from their seats, being unable to brook the conduct of Partha.

Some cried, "Yoke our cars", some "Bring our weapons, "some" Bring our costly bows and strong armours," some loudly called their charioteers to yoke their horses adorned with gold to their cars.

While their cars, their armours and their standards were being brought, the uproars of those heroes became exceedingly great.

Then proud and intoxicated with wine, Baladeva, who was like the Kailasa mountain, adorned with the garlands of wild flowers and attired in blue robes, thus spoke to all.

"O senseless men, what are you doing when Janardana (Krishna) is sitting silent? Without knowing what is in his heart, you are vainly roaring in wrath.

Let the high-minded (Krishna) speak out what he proposes to do. Accomplish with all alacrity what he desires to do."

Having heard these words of Halayudha (Baladeva) which deserved, to be accepted, they all exclaimed, "Excellent," "Excellent." They then became silent.

Silence have been restored by the words of the intelligent Baladeva, they again all took their seats in that court.

Then the chastiser of foes Rama (Baladeva) thus spoke to Vasudeva (Krishna), "O Janardana, why do you not speak, why are you silently gazing?

O Achyuta, it was for your sake that Partha had been welcomed and received with all honour by us. It appears that wretch, that fool, does not deserve our welcome and honour.

Is there a man born of a respectable family who will break the very plate after having dined off it?

Even if one desires to have such an alliance, who is there who desiring happiness will act so rashly remembering the services he has received?

By insulting us and disregarding Keshava (Krishna) he has carried away Subhadra by force wishing to compass his own death.

He has placed his foot on my head. O Govinda, how shall I bear it, (shall I not resent it) like a snake trodden by foot?

I shall alone to-day make the earth free of all Kauravas. Never shall I put up with this insult offered to us by Arjuna."

Thereupon all the Bhojas, Vrishnis and the Andhakas, assembled there approved of every thing that Baladeva said and they roared like the sounds of kettledrum or the clouds.

Mahabharata

Subhadra Harana Parva

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