Editing Subhadra (section)

===Marriage to Arjuna===
[[File:Subhadra, the half sister of Krishna, drives a chariot away from Dwarka with Arjuna and Krishna inside.jpg|thumb|An early 20th century print depicting Subhadra's abduction. Unlike the traditional narrative, where Arjuna drives her away, here Subhadra is shown driving a chariot away from Dwarka with Arjuna and Krishna. This version of narrative is popular in [[Bengal]] region.]]

Subhadra's marriage with Arjuna is first narrated in the section ''Subhadraharana Parva'' of ''[[Adi Parva]]'', the first book of the ''[[Mahabharata]]''. Different recension of the epic contain varying accounts of the story, with later derivative texts adding more details to it.<ref name = "Lav" />

According to the ''[[Neelakantha Chaturdhara|Chaturdhara]]'' Recension of the ''Mahabharata'', [[Arjuna]] was in the midst of self-imposed [[pilgrimage]], for breaking terms of the agreement he had with [[Pandavas|his brothers]] regarding private time with their common wife [[Draupadi]]. After he reached the city of [[Dvārakā|Dvaraka]] and met his maternal cousin [[Krishna]], he attended a festival held at Raivata mountain. There Arjuna saw Subhadra and was smitten by her beauty and wished to marry her. Krishna revealed that she was [[Vasudeva]]'s and [[Rohini Devi|Rohini]]'s child, and his half-sister. Krishna stated that he could not predict Subhadra's decision at her [[swayamvara|svayamvara]] (groom selection ceremony) and advised Arjuna to elope with Subhadra. After receiving agreement to a letter sent to Yudhishthira for permission, Arjuna drove a chariot to the hills and took Subhadra with him. After Subhadra's guards unsuccessfully attempted to stop them, the Yadavas, the Vrishnis, and the Andhakas held a meeting to discuss the matter. After Krishna comforted them, they agreed, and thus, Arjuna married Subhadra with Vedic rituals.{{sfn|Ganguli|1883}} A similar story is included in the [[Mahabharata#Critical Edition|''Critical Edition of the Mahabharata'']], compiled by [[Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Debroy |first=Bibek |url=http://archive.org/details/TheMahabharata_201707 |title=The Mahabharata (Version 2) }}</ref>

The ''Kumbhakonam Edition'' (Southern Recension) of the ''Mahabharata'' presents a distinct account of Subhadra's abduction, deviating from the ''Chaturdhara'' version. This rendition transforms the narrative into a mutual love story, providing additional details about the events. According to this version, during his pilgrimage, Arjuna reached Prabhasa, where he encountered Gada, a Yadava chief. Gada told Arjuna about Subhadra, kindling Arjuna's desire to marry her. In pursuit of this goal, Arjuna adopted the guise of an ascetic, contemplating under a tree with the hope that Krishna would facilitate his marriage. Simultaneously, in Dvaraka, Krishna, using his divine abilities, became aware of Arjuna's aspiration and visited him at Prabhasa. Krishna guided Arjuna to the Raivataka mountain, the site of an impending festival for the prominent Yadavas. During the festivities, Arjuna, accompanied by Krishna, chanced upon Subhadra and was captivated by her allure. Krishna suggested the abduction of Subhadra, to which Arjuna agreed and decided to wait for a suitable moment. Post-festival, Balarama encountered the disguised Arjuna and extended him an invitation to reside in the Dvaraka palace, as a sign of hospitality. Subhadra assumed the caretaker role for the ascetic, while Arjuna, deeply enamored, openly admired her. Subhadra, upon observing him, recognised his resemblance to Arjuna, from him having been previously described by Gada and Krishna. Acknowledging Subhadra's reciprocation of affection, Arjuna disclosed his true identity. A grand ritual dedicated to the god Shiva was scheduled on an island near Dvaraka, prompting the Yadavas, led by Balarama, to depart for worship. Seizing the opportune moment, Arjuna eloped with Subhadra.{{sfn|Mani|1975}}<ref>Southern Recension Kumbhakonam Edition Adi Parva.</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last1=Adluri |first1=Vishwa |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sR5mDwAAQBAJ&dq=subhadr%C4%81+devak%C4%AB&pg=PA36-IA20 |title=Philology and Criticism: A Guide to Mahbhrata Textual Criticism |last2=Bagchee |first2=Joydeep |date=29 June 2018 |publisher=Anthem Press |isbn=978-1-78308-578-1 |language=en}}</ref>

''The [[Bhagavata Purana]]'' describes Subhadra's role in choosing Arjuna. It also adds a detail about Balarama having picked [[Duryodhana]]—one of the [[Kaurava]]s—as Subhadra's groom, without her consent. Knowing that after getting the news of Subhadra's having eloped, Balarama would wage a war against Arjuna, Krishna decided to be the charioteer for Arjuna. Arjuna proceeded to take Subhadra and with Krishna in tow, they left. After getting the news that Subhadra had eloped with Arjuna, Balarama consents and conducts the marriage of Subhadra with Arjuna in Dvaraka.{{sfn|Mani|1975}}<ref name = "Lav" />