Shloka 22
सुभद्राहरणम्
Subhadrā-haraṇa: Arjuna’s Taking of Subhadrā and the Dvārakā Assembly’s Response
धनुरादाय संहृष्टो ब्राह्मणं प्रत्यभाषत । जनमेजय! ऐसा निश्चय करके कुन्तीकुमार धनंजयने राजासे पूछकर घरके भीतर प्रवेश करके धनुष ले लिया और (बाहर आकर) प्रसन्नतापूर्वक ब्राह्मणसे कहा-- || २१६ || ब्राह्मणागम्यतां शीघ्रं यावत् परधनैषिण:,“विप्रवर! शीघ्र आइये। जबतक दूसरोंके धन हड़पनेकी इच्छावाले वे क्षुद्र चोर दूर नहीं चले जाते, तभीतक हम दोनों एक साथ वहाँ पहुँच जायँ। मैं अभी आपका गोधन चोरोंके हाथसे छीनकर आपको लौटा देता हूँ
dhanuḥ ādāya saṁhṛṣṭo brāhmaṇaṁ pratyabhāṣata | janamejaya, evaṁ niścayaṁ kṛtvā kuntīkumāro dhanañjayo rājānam pṛṣṭvā gṛhasya bhitare praviśya dhanuḥ jagrāha, tataḥ bahiḥ āgatya prasannatā-pūrvakaṁ brāhmaṇam uvāca || brāhmaṇa, āgamyatāṁ śīghraṁ yāvat paradhana-eṣiṇaḥ; vipravara, śīghram āyāhi | yāvat te kṣudrāḥ corāḥ dūrībhavanti, tāvat āvām ubhau saha tatra upagamiṣyāvaḥ | aham idānīm tava godhanaṁ corahastebhyaḥ apahṛtya tubhyaṁ pratyarpayiṣyāmi ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Taking up his bow with delight, Arjuna addressed the brāhmaṇa. “O Janamejaya, having resolved thus, Kuntī’s son Dhanañjaya first asked the king’s leave, entered the house, and took the bow. Then, coming out, he spoke cheerfully to the brāhmaṇa: ‘Come quickly, revered brāhmaṇa—before those petty thieves who crave others’ wealth get far away. Let us reach the place together at once. I will immediately wrest your cattle from the thieves’ hands and restore it to you.’”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights kṣatriya-dharma as protective service: a capable warrior should act swiftly to stop theft and restore rightful property, especially when a brāhmaṇa’s livelihood (godhana) is harmed. It also models ethical conduct—seeking the king’s leave, speaking respectfully, and using force only to uphold justice.
Arjuna, having decided to help, asks the king for permission, goes inside to fetch his bow, and then urges the brāhmaṇa to come quickly so they can catch the thieves before they escape. He promises to seize the stolen cattle back and return it.