The Mahabharata/Book 1: Adi Parva/Section 221

Section CCXXI. *( Subhadrā-harana Parva. )* Vaisampayana said, "O best of monarch, within a few days after this, there commenced on the Raivataka mountain, a grand festival of the Vrishnis and the Andhakas. And in that 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. And, O king, the region around that hill was adorned with many a mansion decked with gems and many an artificial tree of gaudy hue. And the musicians struck up in concert and the dancers began to dance and the vocalists to sing. And the youths of the Vrishni race, endued with great energy, adorned with every ornament and riding on their golden-decked cars, looked extremely handsome. And the citizens, some on foot and some on excellent cars, with their wives and followers went there by hundreds and thousands. And there was the lord Haladhara (Valarāma) too roving at will, excited with drink and accompanied by (his wife) Revati and followed by many musicians and vacalists. And there also came Urga-sena the powerful king of the Vrishni race, accompanied by his thousand wives and followed by sweet singers. And Raukmineya and Shāmva also, ever furious in battle, were roving there, excited wlth drink and adorned with floral wreaths of great beauty, and costly attire, disporting themselves like a pair of celestials. And Akrura and Sārana and Gada, and Vabhru and Nishat-ha, and Chāru-deshna and Prithu and Viprithu, and Satyaka and Sātyaki, and Vanga-kāra and Mahārava, and Hārdikya and Udhava and many others who names are not given, accompanied by their wives and followed by bands of singers, adorned that mountain festival. And when that delightful festival of great grandeur set in, Vāsudeva and Pārtha went about, together beholding everything around. And while they were wandering there, they saw the handsome daughter of Vasudeva—Bhadrā by name—decked in every ornament in the midst of her maids. And as soon as Arjuna beheld her, he was possest by the god of desire. And, O Bhārata, that tiger among men, Krishna, observing Pārtha contemplate her with absorbed attention, said with smiles, 'How is this? Can the heart of one that rangeth the woods be agitated by the god of desire? This is my sister, O Pārtha, and the uterine sister of Sārana. Blest be thou, her name is Bhadrā, and she is the favorite daughter of my father. Tell me if thy heart be fixed upon her, for I shall then speak to my father myself.' "Arjuna answered, 'She is Vasudeva's daughter and Vāsudeva'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 Janarddana, by what means I may obtain her! I will achieve anything that is achievable by man, to obtain her!' "Vāsudeva answered, 'O thou bull amongst men, the *Swayamvara* hath been ordained for the marriage of the Kshatriyas. But that is doubtful (in its consequence), O Pārtha, as we do not know this girl's temper and disposition. In the case of Kashatriyas 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 in a Swayamvara?' Then Krishna and Arjuna, having thus settled about what should be done, sent some speedy messenger unto Yudhish-thira at Indraprastha, informing him of everything. And the strong-armed Yudhish-thira, as soon as he heard it, gave his assent to it." Thus ends the two hundred and twenty-first Section in the Subhadrā-harana of the Adi Parva.