The Mahabharata/Book 1: Adi Parva/Section 222

Section CCXXII. *( Subhadra-harana Parva continued. )* "Vaisampayana said, 'Then Dhananjaya, informed of the assent of Yudhish-thira, and ascertaining, O Janamejaya, that the maiden had gone to the Raivataka hill, obtained the assent of Vāsudeva also, after having settled in consultation with him about what should be done. And that bull of the Bharata race, that foremost of men, with Krishna's assent, riding on his well-built car of gold furnished with rows of small bells and equipped-with every king of weapon,—and the clatter of whose wheels was like unto the roar of the clouds and whose splendour was like unto that of blazing fire and which struck terror into the hearts of all foes and unto which were yoked the horses Saivya and Sugriva,—himself accoutred in mail and armed with a sword and his fingers encased in leathern fence, set out as if on a hunting expedition. Meanwhile Subhadrā, having paid her homage unto that prince of hills Raivataka, and having worshipped the deities and made the Brahmanas utter benedictions upon her, and having also walked round the hill, was coming towards Dwārāvati. And the son of Kunti, afflicted with the shafts of the god of desire, suddenly rushed towards that Yādava girl of faultless features and forcibly took her up on his car. And that tiger among men, having seized that girl of sweet smiles, proceeded to his car of gold towards his own city (Indra-prastha). Meanwhile, the armed attendants of Subhadrā, beholding her thus seized and taken away, all ran crying towards the city Dwārakā. And they all together reaching the Yādavā court called by the name of Sudharmā, represented everything about the prowess of Pārtha unto the chief officer of the court. And the chief officer of the court, hearing everything from those messengers, blew his gold-decked trumpet of loud sound, calling all to arms. Stirred up by that sound, the Bhojas, Virshnis, and Andhakas began to pour in from all sides. Those that were eating left their food, and those that were drinking left their drink. And those tigers among men—those great warriors of the Vrishni and Andhaka tribes—took their seats upon their thousand thrones of gold covered with excellent carpets and variegated with gems and corals and possessed of the lustre of blazing fire. And they took their seats upon those thrones, like fire taking unto itself the faggots lying around. And after they were seated in that court which was like unto a conclave of the celestials themselves, the chief officer of the court assisted by those that stood at his back, spoke of the conduct of Jishnu. And the proud Vrishni heroes, of eyes red with wine, as soon as they heard of it, rose up from their seats, unable to bear what Arjuna had done. And some amongst them said, 'Yoke our cars;' and some, 'Bring our weapons;' and some said, 'Bring our costly bows and strong coats of mail;' and some loudly called upon their charioteers to yoke their cars, and some, from impatience, themselves yoked their horses decked in gold unto their cars. And while their cars and armours and standards were being brought, loud became the uproar of those heroes. Then Valadeva, white and tall as the Kylāsa cliff, decked in garlands of wild flowers and attired in blue robes, and proud and intoxicated with drink, said these words:— 'Ye senseless men, what are ye doing, when Janarddana sitteth silent? Without knowing what is in his mind, vainly do ye roar in wrath! Let the high-souled Krishna give out what he purposeth. Accomplish ye with activity what he desireth to do!' Then all of them, hearing these words of Halāyudha that deserved to be accepted, exclaimed 'Excellent!' 'Excellent!' They then all became silent. And silence having been restored by the words of the intelligent Valadeva, they took their seats once more in that assembly. And Rama, that oppressor of all foes, then spake unto Vāsudeva, saying, 'Why, O Janarddana, sittest thou gazing without speaking? O Achyuta, it was for thy sake that the son of Prithā had been welcomed and honoured by us! It seemeth, however, that vile wretch deserved not our homage. What man is there born of a respectable family that would break the plate after having dined off it? Even if one desireth to contract such an alliance, yet remembering all the services he hath received, who is there, desirous of happiness, that would act so rashly? That Pāndava, disregarding us and thee too, hath today ravished Subhadrā, desiring to compass his own death. He hath placed his foot on the crown of my head. How shall I, O Govinda, tamely bear it? Shall I not resent it, even like a snake that is trod upon? Alone shall I today make the earth destitute of Kauravas! Never shall I put up with this transgression of Arjuna!' Then all the Bhojas, Vrishnis, and Andhakas, pressing there approved of everything that Valadeva had said deeply roaring like unto a kettle-drum or the clouds." Thus ends the two hundred and twenty-second Section in the Subhadrā-harana of the Adi Parva.