Subhadra Haranam - Manthredathu Namboodiripad((1840 to --)                                                                BACK

This story is from Mahabharatha. When Dharmaputhra(Yudhishtira) was with his wife Panchali Arjuna suddenly breaks into his privacy for taking his bow and arrows for protecting a brahmin whose cows were being stolen by some robbers. Since there was a rule against such entry, the same was considerded as a sin and Narada proclaimed that Arjuna as compensation should go on a pilgrimage for one year.

Arjuna travels as a Sanyasi to many holy places throughout the land and finally reaches Prabhasa Theertha. Here he learns that Krishna's sister Subhadra was in love with him. Knowing this as a favourable development Krishna tells Subhadra to look after the Sanyasi who is in Prabhasa Theertha. Arjuna after some time having completed the pigrimage period abducts a willing Subhadra and travels towards Indraprastha.

Meanwhile Balarama, Krishna's brother was interested in marrying off Subhadra to his disciple, Duryodhana. Krishna did not support this. Krishna planted a Warrior called Vipudhu to fight Arjuna on his way to Indraprastha with Subhadra. Arjuna defeated Vipudhu. Balarama was very angry with Krishna for letting Subhadra go. Krishna diplomatically takes Balarama to the war front and shows the arrow marks and shows how Arjuna had defeated Vipudhu.

Balarama appreciates Arjuna's valour and is satisfied of his courage. An Ashta Kalasha (a dance expressing joy) is performed jointly by Balarama and Krishna appreciating Arjuna's valour. He calls Arjuna and Subhadra and officially conducts their marriage in great style.

Balarama's vesha is pazhupu which is essentially pacha with a strong yellowish face. Krishna is pacha and Arjuna is both Minuku and Pacha. Subhadra is Minuku.