Chapter 221
“Vaisampayana said, ‘O best of monarchs, within a few days after this,there commenced on the Raivataka mountain, a grand festival of theVrishnis and the Andhakas. At the mountain-festival of the Bhojas, theVrishnis and the Andhakas, the heroes of those tribes began to give awaymuch wealth unto Brahmanas by thousands.
The region around that hill, Oking was adorned with many a mansion decked with gems and many anartificial tree of gaudy hue. The musicians struck up in concert and thedancers began to dance and the vocalists to sing. And the youth of theVrishni race, endued with great energy, adorned with every ornament, andriding in their gold-decked cars, looked extremely handsome. Thecitizens, some on foot and some in excellent cars, with their wives andfollowers were there by hundreds and thousands. And there was the lordHaladhara (Valarama), roving at will, hilarious with drink, accompaniedby (his wife) Revati, and followed by many musicians and vocalists. Therecame Ugrasena also, the powerful king of he Vrishni race, accompanied byhis thousand wives and followed by sweet singers. And Raukmineya andShamva also, ever furious in battle, roved there, excited with drink andadorned with floral wreaths of great beauty and with costly attires, anddisported themselves like a pair of celestials. And Akrura and Sarana andGada, and Vabhru, and Nisatha, and Charudeshna, and Prithu, Viprithu, andSatyaka, and Satyaki, and Bhangakara, and Maharava, and Hardikya, andUddhava, and many others whose names are not given, accompanied by theirwives that followed by bands of singers, adorned that mountain-festival.When that delightful festival of immense grandeur commenced, Vasudeva andPartha went about, together, beholding everything around. While wanderingthere, they saw the handsome daughter of Vasudeva, Bhadra by name, deckedwith every ornament, in the midst of her maids. As soon as Arjuna beheldher he was possessed by the god of desire. Then, O Bharata, that tigeramong men, Krishna, observing Partha contemplate her with absorbedattention, said with a smile, ‘How is this? Can the heart of one thatrangeth the woods be agitated by the god of desire? This is my sister, OPartha, and the uterine sister of Sarana. Blest be thou, her name isBhadra and she is the favourite daughter of my father. Tell me if thyheart is fixed upon her, for I shall then speak to my father myself.’
“Arjuna answered, ‘She is Vasudeva’s daughter and Vasudeva’s (Krishna)sister; endued with so much beauty, whom can she not fascinate? If thisthy sister, this maid of the Vrishni race, becometh my wife, truly may Iwin prosperity in everything. Tell me, O Janardana, by what means I mayobtain her. To get her I will achieve anything that is achievable by man.’
“Vasudeva answered, ‘O bull amongst men, self-choice hath been ordainedfor the marriage of Kshatriyas. But that is doubtful (in itsconsequences), O Partha, as we do not know this girl’s temper anddisposition. In the case of Kshatriyas that are brave, a forcibleabduction for purposes of marriage is applauded, as the learned havesaid. Therefore O Arjuna, carry away this my beautiful sister by force,for who knows what she may do at a self-choice.’ Then Krishna and Arjuna,having thus settled as to what should be done sent some speedy messengersunto Yudhishthira at Indraprastha, informing him of everything. Thestrong-armed Yudhishthira, as soon as he heard it, gave his assent toit.'”
