|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 288 – The legend of Lord Krishna -  139

Arjuna arrived in Dwaraka, settled under a tree and conducted meditation, the villagers informed Balarama about the arrival of a divine ascetic in the village.  Soon, Balarama informed Krishna, both of them arrived to meet the ascetic.  They prostrated before the saintly man, Krishna immediately understood it was none other than Arjuna disguised in the form an ascetic, they communicated in gestures. Balarama decided to take the saintly person to the palace and offer accommodation to conduct his austerities, followed by the condition that during this period of time Devi Subhadhra would take care of all his needs and serve the ascetic.  Thus Subadhra started her service to the saintly person.  Once, Subhadhra enquired the saintly man about Devi Kunthi and her sons, she further expressed her concern about Arjuna who undertook Tapasya.  The saintly man seized the hand of Subhadhra and revealed his identity to her.  Devi Rukmini noticed the visible changes in Subhadhra towards the ascetic, she asked Lord Krishna about it.  Thus, Krishna informed all about Arjuna to Devi Rukmini.  He arranged a chariot for Arjuna and Devi Subhadra to elope from the palace of Dwaraka.  Krishna along with Balarama and parents left for a pilgrimage, Arjuna took this opportunity to abduct Devi Subadhra in his chariot and left Dwaraka was chased by Yadhavas, but they could not get hold of them.

Arjuna and Subhadra returned to their place of stay, Subhadhra touched the feet of Devi Draupadi and introduced herself as the sister of Lord Krishna.  Devi Draupadi blessed her and embraced her in extreme happiness.  Thus Arjuna and Subhadra started living with the family of Devi Kunthi. In the meantime, the Yadhavas rushed to inform Balarama and Krishna who were undertaken pilgrimage.  Balarama could not control his anger, decided to punish Arjuna for his demeanor.  Eventually, Balarama understood it was a well-planned drama by Krishna; he blamed Krishna for cheating his own elder brother.  Krishna pleaded Balarama who was in a fury to kill Arjuna if he kills Arjuna and brings back Subadhra, will Duryodhana accept her? He narrated the story of Bhishma Pithamaha who brought the three princes in the Palace of Kuru, later Amba was rejected by her lover Salya, because of the touch of Bhishma Pithamaha, if that was repeated to Subhadra what would they do with her? If Duryodhana rejected Subadhra for running away with Arjuna, what would she do?  Further, the guards of the Palace explained to them that the chariot drove away by Devi Subhadra. Thus they have decided to perform an elaborate wedding ceremony of Arjuna and Subhadra.

In this legend of ‘Subhadhra Haranam’ Subadhra represents mind and intellect which is free from trepidation and anxieties have immense capabilities to perform the deeds with great enthusiasm and firm devotion and faith upon the supreme Lord who resides as a soul in living beings.