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Saturday, December 05, 2015

Arjuna's Exile - Subhadra

Going Southwards, Arjuna came across five rivers but he was surprised to see people refusing into these rivers. He learnt five fierce crocodiles were living in thr ivers, who attacked and killed all who dared enter the waters.

Arjuna entered the waters. As soon he did so, a large crocodile came and seized him by his leg. Arjuna dragged it forcibly to the shore.It then transformed itself into a beautiful maiden. Surprised, Arjuna asked her who she was.

She said her name was Varga. She was p;laying along with her companions when in a playful mood she decided to disturb a meditating sage.  The sage getting angry, cursed the apsaras to become crocodiles. The sage also told them they would be freed once they met Arjuna. With their curse lifted, the apsaras left for heaven.

Arjuna then, continuing his journey, went again to Manipur. In the time Arjun was away, a son, Vabrhruvahana had been born to Chitrangada, who was the crown prince of Manipur. Greeting him Arjuna left.

In his journey, Arjuna then went to where Krishna stayed, and greeted him. He told Krishna about all that had happened with him so far. There, Arjuan saw Subhadra, Krishna's sister and fell in love with her. He confided in Krishna. Krishna said before taking any step they needed to find out what Subhadra thought. Krishna also told Arjuna, that as per Kshatriya laws, it was allowed to forcibly abduct a bride and take her away.

Informed that Subhadra had gone to a temple, Arjuna got a chariot ready. With the time of his exile, Arjuna planned to abduct Subhadra, and take her away with him.

Meanwhile Subhadra had finished her prayers. When she was coming back towards her home, she was suddenly abducted forcibly.

Krishna managed to make his family understand that what Arjuna had done was not wrong. Arjuna was asked to come back to Dwaraka and get formally married to Subhadra.

After the marriage Arjuna went to Khandavaprastha with his new bride. All greeted Arjuna except Draupadi. Knowing why Draupadi was sad, Arjuna told Subhadra to wear the robes of a maid and approach Draupadi. She went to Draupadi and she she was her maid. Ashamed at her behaviour, Draupadi embraced Subhadra.

After sometime Subhadra gave birth to a son who was named Abhimanyu.


3 comments:

  1. Unfortunately, most of us grew up on the Mahabharata of BR Chopra. The epic by itself, is more detailed and has a lot more. Again, all of these have hidden meanings behind them.
    What we saw was the director's interpretation.
    And what was shown on Star Plus and what on in Sony now, is a deviation from the epic.
    Again, there are regional versions which added their stories, but they did not change characters like what Sony and Start Plus is upto.

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  2. Even when I saw BR Chopra's Mahabharata at that age I enjoyed the fight and bored by the Sloka's .😃

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