Tell me, O Janardana, by what means I may
obtain her. To get her I will achieve anything that is achievable by man.'
"Vasudeva answered, 'O bull amongst men, self-choice hath been ordained
for the marriage of Kshatriyas. But that is doubtful (in its consequences),
O Partha, as we do not know this girl's temper and disposition. In the
case of Kshatriyas that are brave, a forcible abduction for purposes of
marriage is applauded, as the learned have said. 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 messengers unto Yudhishthira at
Indraprastha, informing him of everything. The strong-armed Yudhishthira,
as soon as he heard it, gave his assent to it.'"
SECTION CCXXII
(Subhadra-harana Parva continued)
"'Then Dhananjaya, informed of the assent of Yudhishthira, and
ascertaining, O Janamejaya, that the maiden had gone to the Raivataka hill,
obtained the assent of Vasudeva also, after having settled in consultation
with him all that required to be done. Then that bull of Bharata's race,
that foremost of men, with Krishna's assent, riding in his well-built car
of gold equipped with rows of small bells and with every kind of weapon
and the clatter of whose wheels resembled the roar of the clouds and whose
splendour was like unto that of a blazing fire and which struck terror
into the hearts of all foes and unto which were yoked the steeds Saivya
and Sugriva, himself accoutred in mail and armed with sword and his
fingers encased in leathern gloves, set out, as it were, on a hunting
expedition.
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