In a mood of quiet delight, Śrī Kṛṣṇa turned to Rukmiṇī and Satyabhāmā and said that the ascetic who had come in disguise was none other than the valiant Arjuna of the Pāṇḍavas. Meanwhile, the gentle Subhadrā attended to the hermit with dishes and draughts of sweetness, her every graceful movement awakening in him the stirrings of tender desire. Her tireless courtesy, her calm and unfeigned humility left upon his heart a deeper impression than any artful charm.
Whispers had reached her that Arjuna’s hair was dark as the black bee, his skin radiant as sapphire, his long and sinewy arms firm as the bow he drew, his eyes like red-tinged lotus petals, his broad chest the sign of a born warrior. As she gazed upon the hermit, she beheld in him those very marks and, troubled by a sudden doubt, she ventured to speak. “Revered sage,” she said, “thou knowest the sacred places and the proud cities of men. Hast, thou seen the shining Indraprastha, which men call Amarāvatī upon earth? Are the sons of Pandu safe, and is my aunt Kunti in good health? Has the hero who went forth on pilgrimage returned?”
Then the hermit smiled and cast aside the veil of his disguise. “O princess,” said Arjuna, “it is I who stand before thee. There are eight modes of marriage; of these, the Gandharva and the Rakshasa were once held noblest. The hour has come for our own union.” Subhadra blushed, bent her head and answered softly, “Those who have the right to give my hand are here; let them themselves ordain our wedding.” And with that, she withdrew to her chamber, leaving his heart exultant.
Arjuna returned to his leafy retreat in the garden, while far off, Krsna, by the power of divine insight, perceived their growing affection. He bade Rukmini prepare for the honoured guest and summoned Devakī, Vasudeva, Pradyumna, Samba, Śaṅkarṣaṇa, Sāraṇa and Sātyaki, telling them of Arjuna’s presence and the affection that had flowered in Subhadrā’s heart. He resolved that the maiden should be given to her chosen hero without the knowledge of Balarāma, whose will might otherwise prove a hindrance.
Quietly, he unfolded his plan to the lovers and proclaimed a great festival of worship for Lord Śiva upon the island of Antaradvīpa. Thither went the elders of the Yādava, Bhoja, Andhaka, and Vṛṣṇi clans with all their people. In Dvārakā, Arjuna and Subhadrā waited, hearts anxious yet steadfast. Arjuna, in silent prayer, turned his thoughts to Indra; Subhadrā, in hers, to Kṛṣṇa.
When the auspicious hour, chosen by Bṛhaspati, arrived, Kṛṣṇa returned from the island with Akrūra, Sāmba, Sāraṇa and Sātyaki. From heaven came Indra with the Siddhas, Cāraṇas and Amaras, while sages and seers—Atri, Bhṛgu, Nārada—uttered their blessings. Arundhatī, Śacī, Satyabhāmā and Rukmiṇī performed the sacred rites. The sage Kaśyapa solemnized the marriage; the guardians of the quarters bestowed their grace. Indra himself set upon Arjuna’s brow a crown of priceless gems, his arms and chest gleaming with golden ornaments, and then returned to his celestial home.
Kṛṣṇa, overjoyed that his sister’s heart’s desire was fulfilled, embraced Arjuna—now girded with quiver, bow and steeds—and directed the newly wedded pair upon their road. He then withdrew once more to the island. But at the city’s gates Arjuna was challenged by Prūḍhaśravas and the warriors of the Yādavas. Believing that the Pāṇḍava prince had borne away Subhadrā without Kṛṣṇa’s and Balarāma’s consent, they rushed to bar his passage.
With the fury of the tempest Arjuna lost his arrows, scattering the guards and throwing the Yādava host into tumult. The clash rang like the roar of a storm-tossed ocean. Their leader Sabhapāla, alarmed, sent the signal of attack through the city. Balarāma, hearing the tumult, gathered the elders in council and cried: “Shall a maiden of the Yādavas be thus taken?”
But Kṛṣṇa spoke with calm authority: “This is Arjuna, son of the mighty Bharata line, disciple of Droṇācārya, master of every weapon. Think you our armies can easily subdue him? He is our own kinsman, not a thief of brides.” At his words, their anger cooled, and they abandoned the thought of pursuit.
Meanwhile, Subhadrā herself held the reins, guiding the steeds with a skill that delighted her lord as they sped towards Indraprastha through the land of Daśārṇa, guarded by loyal warriors of Avartaka and many more. Arjuna, when they halted among the herdsmen’s pastures, pondered how best to enter the city without offense or tumult. And so, by the blessing of the gods and the goodwill of kin and seers, his long-cherished desire was accomplished: with courage and subtle strategy, he entered upon a new bond of love and destiny.
