Partha And Subhadra Poem by Rm. Shanmugam Chettiar

(Bronze age, source: the Mahabharata)


On the occasion of grand festival
Of the vrishnis and andhakas hosted
On the raivataka mountain, it happened
That Krishna introduced to Arjuna,
‘.... This is my sister and the uterine sister
Of Sarana. Blest be thou, her name is Bhadra
And she is the favourite daughter of my father.'
Arjuna was on a visit to Krishna,1

The handsome daughter of Vasudeva,
Bhadra by name, decked with every ornament,
In the midst of her maids was conspicuous.
As soon as Arjuna beheld Bhadra
He was possessed by the god of Love.
With absorbed attention Partha(Arjuna)saw her.
Taking a clue from the scene of his notice,
Krishna pointed out her to Arjuna. 2

‘Tell me if thy heart is fixed upon her,
for I shall then speak to my father myself.'
Krishna volunteered his service to him,
Arjuna, handsome Prince of Pandeva.
‘Can the heart of one that rangeth the woods
Be agitated by the god of Love? '
Krishna further observed, willing to help
Arjuna get Bhadra as his consort. 3

‘Bhadra is the daughter of Vasudava,
And sister of Krishna and Balarama,
Endued with so much grace and beauty,
Whom can she not fascinate on the earth?
If she were to be my wife by all means
I win prosperity in everything.
By what means I may obtain her, tell me
O Janardhana (Krishna) .' Answered Arjuna. 4

‘To get her I will achieve anything
That is achievable by man.' said he.
‘O bull among men! Self-choice has been ordained
For the marriage of Kshatriyas. I feel
Its consequence is doubtful as we don't know
This girl's temper and disposition;
A forceful abduction of the girl craved
Is applauded in the case of Kshatriyas.5

So Arjuna, carry away this girl,
My beautiful timid sister by force
For who knows what she may do at a self choice.'
Krishna advocated as what should be done.
Speedy messengers were sent on this
To Yudhishthira, Pandeva's oldest prince
At Indraprastha; he gave assent to it.
Krishna set the scene for him to accomplish. 6

The maiden had gone to Raivataka hill.
Subhadra paid her homage unto that prince
Of hills, worshipped the deities and gave alms
To the Brahmanas, and walked round the hill,
And was coming towards Dwaravati.
The son of Kunti, afflicted with the shafts
of the god of Love, suddenly rushed out
towards that Yadava girl of faultless features. 7


He forcibly took her into his car.
Having seized that girl of sweet smiles, he drove
His car of gold towards his own city. (Indraprastha)
Meanwhile, the armed attendants of Subhadra,
Beholding her thus seized and taken away,
All ran, crying towards the city of Dwaraka.
The chief officer of the court blew his trumpet,
Calling all to arms. All poured from all sides.8

Warriors and people agitated for revenge.
Then Valadeva, intoxicated, said,
'Ye senseless men, what are ye doing,
When Janardana sitteth silent? Without knowing
What is in his mind, vainly do we roar in wrath!
Let the high-souled Krishna tell what he proposeth.
Accomplish promptly what he desireth to do.'
Then all of them hailed and became silent.9

'Why, Krishna, sittest thou, gazing silently?
Arjuna was welcomed and honoured by us.
Can one break the plate after dining from it?
He hath placed his foot on the crown of my head;
How shall I, O Govinda, tamely bear it?
Shall I not resent it, like a snake trodden upon?
Never shall I put up with this deed by Arjuna.'
Said Valadeva, grieving for Subhadra.10

‘He hath without doubt, enhanced our respect.
He regarded a self-choice as doubtful
In its result; a bride is not a gift.
seeing these faults in all the other methods
Arjuna took the maiden away by force,
according to the ordinance.' Said Krishna,
‘This alliance is very proper. Subhadra
is a renowned girl. Partha possesseth renown.'11

‘Who is there that would not desire to have
Arjuna for a friend, who is born in the race
Of Bharata and the renowned Santanu,
And the son also of Kuntibhoja?
No one can vanquish Partha in battle,
Except the three-eyed god Mahadeva.
Partha as a warrior is well-known;
Conciliation is a good option.' 12

O monarch, those words of Vasudeva,
They did as he directed. Stopped by them,
Arjuna returned to Dwaraka and
Was united in marriage with Subhadra.
Draupadi, his wife resented his tie.
‘Go where the daughter of the Satwata
Race is! A second tie always relaxeth
The first one upon a faggot! ' 13

Arjuna pacified his Draupadi
And asked for her forgiveness. Returning
Unto where Subhadra, attired in silks,
Was staying, Arjuna sent her dressed
As a cowherdess to bow to Draupadi.
The renowned Subhadra looked handsomer
In that dress and earned her goodwill.
Krishna blessed, ' Be your husband without a foe.'14

Subhadra was pregnant from Arjuna.
Abhimanyu was in her womb listening
When he told her about the technique
Of entering Chakrayuha in a war
But before he would tell her the way out
She fell asleep; so did Abhimanyu'
Later in the epic war, he entered
But was killed within the Chakrayuha.15

A woman is not alike to her children.
A man is not alike to his many wives.
A woman is likewise to her may spouses.
Bhima, not Arjuna, was the favourite
Of five husbands in love to Panchali (Draupadi) .
Subhadra, not Draupadi was the favourite
Of many wives in love to Arjuna.
How did he appeal to Subhadra's love?16
18.11.2020