Subhadrā Haraṇa (Bhāgavata Purāṇa)

Subhadrā was the sister of Bhagavān Kṛshṇa and Balarāma, and the daughter of Devakī and Vasudeva. Arjuna, on a pilgrimage, learned that Balarāma meant to give her in marriage to Duryodhana. Arjuna disguised himself as a sannyāsī (a renunciant), stayed in Dvārakā through the rains, and then carried Subhadrā away in his chariot. This narrative is told in the Bhāgavata Mahā Purāṇa, 10th Skanda, Chapter 86.

Arjuna at Prabhāsa

Arjuna was travelling from tīrtha to tīrtha on a long pilgrimage. When he reached Prabhāsatīrtha near Dvārakā, he learned two things. First, Balarāma was planning to give Subhadrā to Duryodhana in marriage. Second, Kṛshṇa and the other Yādavas did not approve of this match.

Arjuna had heard of Subhadrā’s beauty and her qualities, and he was himself drawn to her. He made a plan. Knowing that Balarāma might stand in his way if he came openly, he disguised himself as a sannyāsī, with matted hair, an ochre robe and a staff. In this form he entered Dvārakā, where no one suspected him.

The stay in Dvārakā

The people of the city honoured the supposed sannyāsī with great respect, as is right for a guest. Balarāma himself did not know who the visitor was. He invited him to his own home and served him food, and Arjuna ate the meal offered by Balarāma’s household.

Arjuna’s stay lasted through the four months of the rainy season. During this time he met Subhadrā. They saw each other and were at once deeply drawn together. Even in the dress of a renunciant, Arjuna carried himself with the clear bearing of a great warrior. Subhadrā looked at him with shyness and sidelong glances that left no doubt about her feelings. Arjuna, for his part, could think of no one else.

Kṛshṇa, Devakī and Vasudeva all wished for Arjuna rather than Duryodhana. They knew who the visitor was and gave their blessing in their hearts.

The abduction

One day Subhadrā was taken out of the palace for a religious procession, a visit to the great temple outside the fort walls. Arjuna saw his chance. He mounted his chariot, took off the sannyāsī disguise and stopped the procession at the temple gate. With his great bow Gāṇḍīva in his hand, he struck down and drove back the warrior guards who came at him from every side. Then, like a lion taking what is rightfully his, Arjuna lifted Subhadrā into his chariot and drove swiftly towards Indraprastha.

The family and the guards who saw it cried out in alarm. The news reached Balarāma quickly.

Balarāma’s anger and how it was calmed

Balarāma was furious. He rose like the tide at full moon, huge, forceful and hard to stop. His eyes turned red with anger. In his eyes, Arjuna had been a guest in his own home, had taken his hospitality, and then had carried off his sister under false pretences. It was a great breach of the dharma of a guest.

Kṛshṇa, Devakī, Vasudeva and the elders of the family came to him. With gentle words and reasoned arguments they slowly calmed him. They told him that Arjuna was the greatest warrior of his age, that the match was in every way worthy, and that Subhadrā herself had agreed. By degrees Balarāma’s anger faded.

When he was calm again, his natural generosity returned. He sent rich wedding gifts after the couple, with his blessing: garments, ornaments, gold, decorated chariots, elephants, horses and servants of every kind.

Sources

• Bhāgavata Mahā Purāṇa, 10th Skanda, Chapter 86