Shloka 78
आदि पर्व, अध्याय 96 — काश्यकन्याहरणं, शाल्वसमागमः, अम्बावचनं च
Kāśī princesses taken; encounter with Śālva; Ambā’s declaration
अर्जुन: खलु द्वारवतीं गत्वा भगिनीं वासुदेवस्थ सुभद्रां भद्रभाषिणीं भार्यामुदावहत् । स्वविषयं चाभ्याजगाम कुशली । तस्यां पुत्रमभिमन्युमतीव गुणसम्पन्नं दयितं वासुदेवस्थाजनयत्,अर्जुनने द्वारकामें जाकर मंगलमय वचन बोलनेवाली वासुदेवकी बहिन सुभद्राको पत्नीरूपमें प्राप्त किया और उसे लेकर कुशलपूर्वक अपनी राजधानीमें चले आये वहाँ उसके गर्भसे अत्यन्त गुणसम्पन्न अभिमन्यु नामक पुत्रको उत्पन्न किया; जो वसुदेवनन्दन भगवान् श्रीकृष्णको बहुत प्रिय था
vaiśampāyana uvāca | arjunaḥ khalu dvāravatīṃ gatvā bhaginīṃ vāsudevasya subhadrāṃ bhadrabhāṣiṇīṃ bhāryām udāvahat | svaviṣayaṃ cābhyājagāma kuśalī | tasyāṃ putram abhimanyum atīva guṇasampannaṃ dayitaṃ vāsudevasya ajanayat |
Vaiśampāyana said: Arjuna indeed went to Dvāravatī and took as his wife Subhadrā, the sister of Vāsudeva (Kṛṣṇa), a lady of auspicious and gracious speech. Then, safe and well, he returned to his own realm. From her he begot a son named Abhimanyu—exceedingly endowed with virtues—who was dear to Vāsudeva. The passage highlights a dharmic household alliance grounded in kinship, consented union, and the continuation of a noble lineage through a son praised for character rather than mere power.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores dharmic social order through rightful marriage and the ethical ideal that true nobility is measured by guṇa (virtue and character). It also shows how family alliances can be sanctified when grounded in auspicious conduct and mutual well-being.
Arjuna goes to Dvārakā, marries Subhadrā (Kṛṣṇa’s sister), returns safely to his own kingdom, and fathers Abhimanyu, a son celebrated for exceptional virtues and beloved by Kṛṣṇa.