Shloka 35
सुभद्राहरणम्
Subhadrā-haraṇa: Arjuna’s Taking of Subhadrā and the Dvārakā Assembly’s Response
(आज्ञा तु मम दातव्या भवता कीर्तिवर्धन | भवदाज्ञामृते किंचिन्न कार्यमिति निश्चितम् ।।) यशोवर्धन! मुझे आप वनवासके लिये आज्ञा दें, मेरा यह निश्चय है कि मैं आपकी आज्ञाके बिना कोई कार्य नहीं करूँगा ।। वैशम्पायन उवाच सो<भ्यनुज्ञाय राजानं वनचर्याय दीक्षित: । वने द्वादश वर्षाणि वासायानुजगाम ह,वैशम्पायनजी कहते हैं--जनमेजय! राजाकी आज्ञा लेकर अर्जुनने वनवासकी दीक्षा ली और वनमें बारह वर्षोंतक रहनेके लिये वे वहाँसे चल पड़े
ājñā tu mama dātavyā bhavatā kīrtivardhana | bhavadājñāmṛte kiñcin na kāryam iti niścitam || vaiśampāyana uvāca so 'bhyanujñāya rājānaṃ vanacaryāyai dīkṣitaḥ | vane dvādaśa varṣāṇi vāsāyānujagāma ha ||
“O increaser of fame, you must grant me your permission. I am firmly resolved that I will undertake no action without your command.” Vaiśampāyana said: Having obtained the king’s consent, Arjuna took up the vow of forest-dwelling and set out to live in the wilderness for twelve years.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights disciplined obedience and ethical restraint: one should not act on mere impulse but within rightful authority and vowed duty. Arjuna’s insistence on acting only with permission models humility, accountability, and commitment to dharma.
Arjuna requests and receives the king’s permission, then formally undertakes a vow of forest-dwelling (vanacaryā-dīkṣā) and departs to live in the forest for twelve years, as narrated by Vaiśampāyana to Janamejaya.