Chapter summary
सुभद्राकल्याणम् Subhadrā Kalyāṇam
The Revered Sadguru said:
Arjuna, while on a pilgrimage, arrived at the sacred site of Śrīraṅgam, accompanied by Brāhmaṇas, sādhus, devotees, and followers of the Bhāgavata tradition. During his stay in Śrīraṅgam, particularly in the month of Tulā (October-November), Phālguna [Arjuna] reverently performed his daily ablutions in the Kāverī according to scriptural injunctions. Each morning, after his purifying bath, he would offer gifts to Brāhmaṇas and then seek the blessed darśana of Lord Raṅganātha. (v.1-3)
Dhanañjaya, with great devotion, constructed a magnificent and intricately crafted divine maṇṭapa (hall), where he celebrated a grand festival in honor of Lord Raṅganātha. Deeply pleased by this offering, the great Lord Raṅganātha then addressed Pārtha, that crest-jewel of devotees who had taken refuge in Him. (v.4-5)
**The Supreme Lord said:**
"I am pleased, O best of men!" declared the Supreme Lord. "You are indeed the greatest of My devotees. Ask for a boon; I stand before you now as the giver of boons, ready to grant your desire. Know, O Phālguna, that it is I Myself who have descended in Dvāravatī, and as your friend, I delight in the form of Kṛṣṇa." (v.6-7)
**Arjuna said:**
Arjuna then responded, "O Deva! I perceive You as the unborn Self who, though entering the body alongside the individual soul (puruṣa) to witness its experience of karma's fruits, remains untouched by them, for You are the detached witness. When this individual soul, like a bird with its companion, beholds the other, its friend—the beautiful, golden, supreme bird (the Lord)—then, abandoning the diverse tree of saṃsāra, it will rejoice eternally with Him. Who, indeed, would not take refuge in that one friend, the beautiful-winged Suparṇa, who sits ever-present, affectionate to all who seek His shelter, and by whose refuge the bondage of worldly existence is utterly destroyed?" (v.8-10)
"I know You to be my natural kinsman, faultless, eternal, and imperishable. O Rameśa, O Puṣkarākṣa, You are that very one who has entered the cave of my heart and who now stands before me. You have come under the sway of my love, becoming my friend in the city of Dvāravatī—this I know to be true. O ocean of mercy, O Raṅgeśa, consort of Ramā, be pleased with me! O You with a beautiful dark form, I desire your fortunate sister, Subhadrā. O ocean of compassion, if you wish to grant a boon, then bestow her upon me." (v.11-13)
**The Revered Sadguru said:**
Thus implored, Viṣṇu, Lord Raṅgeśa, ever affectionate to His devotees, spoke these sweet words, charming with a gentle smile. (v.14)
**The Supreme Lord said:**
"So be it, O fortunate one!" the Supreme Lord affirmed. "You shall certainly obtain Subhadrā. This was indeed My own resolve, and now you, too, have requested it. However, O Phālguna, My elder brother Rāma wishes to give our dear sister Subhadrā to the king, the son of Dhṛtarāṣṭra [Duryodhana]. Therefore, you shall go to Dvārakā disguised as a wandering ascetic carrying a triple staff [tridaṇḍin]. Unknowing, Rāma will bring you into the city, and you will be honored. When a great festival takes place there, and Rāma departs for the Raivataka mountain, you, with Kṛṣṇa's approval, shall surely carry off the maiden. This, indeed, is the fruit of your worship of Me; thus it will be accomplished, O Phālguna. Do not grieve, O highly intelligent one. Proceed to the city of Dvāravatī. Having completed your pilgrimage and married Subhadrā, return to Indraprastha and live always with your brothers." (v.15-20)
**The Revered Sadguru said:**
Thus instructed by Lord Raṅganātha, Pārtha, his mind greatly delighted, set forth with the Brāhmaṇas under the pretext of continuing his pilgrimage. Reaching the city of Dvāravatī, Phālguna, in the guise of an ascetic, resided there playfully, honored by Balarāma. (v.21-22)
The lovely-faced maiden Subhadrā, appointed by Balabhadra and with the approval of her parents, reverently served Pārtha. Although Janārdana, the Lord of the universe, knew it was Arjuna in the form of an ascetic, Kṛṣṇa, playing the part of a human, remained as if he did not know. Pārtha, too, dwelt there, his mind absorbed in meditation on Subhadrā, awaiting the opportune moment for her abduction. (v.23-25)
When Rāma had gone to the Raivataka mountain for the great festival, the powerful Arjuna himself abducted the maiden Subhadrā. Learning of this, all the Yādavas, eager for battle, set out. Rāma himself, having stopped them, became averse to Arjuna out of displeasure. However, the lotus-eyed Kṛṣṇa pacified Rāma and their parents, revealing His own intention and also the greatness of Arjuna. (v.26-28)
Then, by the order of His parents and the instruction of Rāma, Hari, desiring to give the wedding gifts, went to Śakraprastha [Indraprastha]. Thus, the lotus-eyed Lord Hari joyfully caused the marriage of Subhadrā and Arjuna to be performed. (v.29-30)
What, indeed, is difficult to obtain when Jagannātha, Lord Raṅganātha, is well-pleased? By His grace, even Pārtha obtained the sister of Kṛṣṇa. (v.31)
Here ends the thirty-first chapter, entitled "The Auspicious Marriage of Subhadrā," in the Fourth Part of the Divyadeśavaibhavam [a work extolling the glories of the 108 sacred Vishnu temples, known as Divya Deśams], composed by Śrī Kṛṣṇapremi Mahāprabhu.
Thus ends Chapter 31, named "Subhadrā Kalyāṇam", in Caturtha Bhāge, in the Divya Deśa Vaibhavam, composed by Śrī Kṛṣṇapremi Mahāprabhu.
