Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana Book 10 Chapter 86:1-13

Book 10: Eighty-six (Latter Half)

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Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana: Book 10: Chapter 86: Verses 1-13


(Subhadra carried away by Arjuna;) the Lord's Grace on Srutadeva

The king (Pariksit) submitted : O sage, we desire to know how (my grandfather) Arjuna married Subhadra, the sister of Balarama and Sri Krsna, who was my grandmother ? Sri Suka replied : (Pariksit,) wandering over the earth in the course of his pilgrimage, the powerful Arjuna went to Prabhasa and heard (there) of his maternal uncle's daughter (Subhadra). He further learnt that Balarama would give her away to Duryodhana, but not others. Eager to win her he went to Dwaraka disguised as a recluse bearing a triple staff (symbolic of renunciation). There Arjuna spent the four months of the monsoon intent upon accomplishing his object. He was every now and then honoured by the citizens as well as by Balarama, who could not identify him. One day, so it is said, he was invited as a guest by Balarama and brought to the palace, where he partook of the dishes offered with reverence. There Arjuna saw the youthful maiden (Subhadra), who captivated the heart of (great) heroes. With his eyes blooming with joy (at her sight) he set on her his heart agitated with passion.
Subhadra too fell in love with him as soon as she saw him, ravishing as he did the heart of women. She cast her bashful glances at him and fixed her heart and eyes on him. Focussing his thought on her alone Arjuna looked for an opportunity (to run away with her). His mind being distracted by an overwhelming passion for her, he had no peace of mind. With the consent of her parents (Devaki and Vasudeva) as well as of Sri Krsna he took her away (one day) even as she drove out of the fort in a chariot to visit an important temple. Taking his seat in her chariot Arjuna took up his bow and put to flight all the gallant warriors who tried to intercept him. In the midst of Subhadra's own people screaming (in distress) Arjuna stole her away just as the king of beasts would carry away its prey. Hearing of this, Balarama was agitated like the ocean on a full moon and got pacified (only) when Sri Krsna and other friends and relations clasped His feet (and tried to appease His anger). (Then) Balarama joyously dispatched for the bride and the bridegroom presents in the form of abundant wealth and articles of household use and a number of elephants, chariots, horses and male and female servants. Sri Suka began again : (Pariksit,) at Mithila, the capital of the Videha territory there lived a jewel among Brahmanas, known by the name of Srutadeva, who had all his objects accomplished by virtue of his single-minded devotion to Sri Krsna and was tranquil (of mind), full of wisdom and destitute of attraction for sense-objects.

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