SECTION 221
(Subhadra-harana Parva)
"Vaisampayana said, 'O best of monarchs, within a few days
after this, there commenced on the Raivataka mountain, a grand festival of the Vrishnis
and the Andhakas. At the mountain-festival of the Bhojas, the Vrishnis and the
Andhakas, the heroes of those tribes began to give away much wealth unto
Brahmanas by thousands. The region around that hill was adorned with many a
mansion decked with gems and many an artificial tree of gaudy hue. The
musicians struck up in concert and the dancers began to dance and the vocalists
to sing. And the youth of the Vrishni race, endued with great energy, adorned
with every ornament, and riding in their gold-decked cars, looked extremely
handsome. The citizens, some on foot and some in excellent cars, with their
wives and followers were there by hundreds and thousands. And there was the
lord Balarama, roving at will, hilarious with drink, accompanied by his wife
Revati, and followed by many musicians and vocalists. There came Ugrasena also,
the powerful king of he Vrishni race, accompanied by his thousand wives and
followed by sweet singers. And Raukmineya and Shamva also, ever furious in
battle, roved there, excited with drink and adorned with floral wreaths of
great beauty and with costly attires, and disported themselves like a pair of
celestials. And Akrura and Sarana and Gada, and Vabhru, and Nisatha, and
Charudeshna, and Prithu, Viprithu, and Satyaka, and Satyaki, and Bhangakara,
and Maharava, and Hardikya, and Uddhava, and many others whose names are not
given, accompanied by their wives that followed by bands of singers, adorned
that mountain-festival. When that delightful festival of immense grandeur
commenced, Vasudeva and Partha went about, together, beholding everything
around. While wandering there, they saw the handsome daughter of Vasudeva,
Bhadra by name, decked with every ornament, in the midst of her maids. As soon
as Arjuna beheld her he was possessed by the god of Kama. Then, Krishna,
observing Partha contemplates her with absorbed attention, said with a smile,
'How is this? Can the heart of one that rangeth the woods be agitated by the
god of Kama? This is my sister, O Partha, and the uterine sister of Sarana. Her
name is Bhadra and she is the favourite daughter of my father. Tell me if thy heart
is fixed upon her, for I shall then speak to my father myself.'
"Arjuna answered, 'She is Vasudeva's daughter and Krishnan’s sister;
endued with so much beauty, whom can she not fascinate? If this thy sister,
this maid of the Vrishni race, becometh my wife, truly may I win prosperity in
everything. Tell me, O Janardana, by what means I may obtain her. To get her I
will achieve anything that is achievable by man.'
"Vasudeva answered, ' Arjuna, Swayamvaram hath been ordained for
the marriage of Kshatriyas. But that is doubtful in its consequences, O Partha,
as we do not know this girl's temper and disposition. In the case of Kshatriyas
that are brave, a forcible abduction for purposes of marriage is applauded, as
the learned have said. Therefore O Arjuna, carry away this my beautiful sister
by force, for who knows what she may do at a Swayamvara.' Then Krishna and
Arjuna, having thus settled as to what should be done sent some speedy messengers
unto Yudhishthira at Indraprastha, informing him of everything. Yudhishthira,
as soon as he heard it, gave his assent to it.'"
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