When Arjuna, the son of Pandu, learned that the Kukuras, Andhakas, and Vṛṣṇis had departed, he turned to Subhadrā and spoke gently to her. “Dearest,” he said, “let me tell you of the many forms of marriage established by the wise for the welfare of people, in accordance with the scriptures and the path of righteousness among the four classes. “For a maiden, it is her father, brother, mother, maternal uncle, grandfather, or paternal uncle who holds the authority to give her away in marriage. Your father, wishing to witness the great festival of Paśupati, has gone to the inner island, accompanied by his sons, grandsons, and relatives. And as for me, my own kin are away. Therefore, Subhadrā, the Gāndharva marriage is considered the fifth among the forms. “At the union of a maiden, four kinds of rites are prescribed. Listen, Mādhavī, to how the virtuous practice them. When a suitor is summoned and the maiden is given by her father according to proper custom, such a wife is known to others as devoted and obedient to her husband. A woman taken in marriage for the maintenance of servants or for one’s own support is also recognized as a wife by the wise. When, in accordance with righteousness, a maiden is chosen and brought to one’s house and given lawfully in her youth, such a wife is said to be given by the father. “In the Gāndharva marriage, however, out of passion and the desire for children, a woman who consents herself becomes a wife and bears offspring. She who produces a husband is called ‘jāyā’—thus, wife, spouse, consort, and jāyā are the four names. Only four of these, performed with ritual and in the presence of fire, are righteous; the Gāndharva, lacking ritual, proceeds solely from passion. “With desire, by the desiring, without mantra, in secret, as remembered—what I have said, though not performed, must be done by you, Mādhavī. The solstice, the month, the season, the fortnight, and the lunar day; the karana, the hour, and the attainment of the ascendant—all these are considered. For marriage, O wide-eyed one, the northern solstice is auspicious; among months, Vaishakha; among fortnights, the bright one. Among stars, Hasta; among lunar days, the third; the ascendant Capricorn is best, and among karanas, Bava. The Maitra hour is suitable for our auspicious act of marriage; all prosperity, O fortunate one, will come this night. The blessed time approaches; the sun, best among those who shine, sets; tonight is the time for marriage, there is no doubt. “Even Narayana, all-knowing, the creator of the universe, would not discern this; when faced with a dilemma of dharma, what action brings happiness? Overcome by desire, by love, I speak in confusion. O Devi, Mādhavī, will you not answer me?” Hearing Arjuna’s words, Subhadrā pondered Janardana but spoke nothing; her eyes filled with tears. Seeing her silent and moved, Arjuna, overwhelmed by passion, thought of his father and withdrew into the bower. Meanwhile, the lord of Shachi, Indra, accompanied by Narada and other great sages, reflected upon the situation, thinking of Kunti’s son. With Gandharvas, Apsaras, Charanas, and Guhyakas, and with Arundhati and Vasistha, he journeyed to Kushasthali. Janardana, considering Subhadrā’s thoughts, found Rauhineya—Balarama—deprived of knowledge by sleep, without her. Joined by Akrura, Shini, Satyaki, Gada, Vasudeva, Devaki, and the wise Ahuka, he came to the city at night, to Dwaraka, surrounded by his kin. The lord of the gods, renowned and glorious, honored Narada and the other sages. After inquiring about their welfare, at Indra’s request, Krishna said, “Let the marriage rite be performed.” Ahuka, Vasudeva, Akrura, and Satyaki, bowing their heads, addressed the lord of sacrifice: “O god of gods, salutations to you, master of the worlds, lord of the universe. We are blessed, O lord, together with our relatives; we are favored by your words, O conqueror of the universe.” Having spoken thus, and after respectfully honoring him, all together with the sages, by the command of Mahendra, arranged the marriage of the son of Shakra according to the scriptures. Arundhati, Shachi Devi, Rukmini, and Devaki, together with the divine women, performed all auspicious rites for Subhadrā. Similarly, all auspicious ceremonies were conducted for Arjuna. The great sage Kashyapa acted as the priest, with Narada and others as officiants, and they bestowed holy blessings upon Arjuna. Then Mahendra, the wielder of the thunderbolt, performed the consecration, praised by all the guardians of the worlds and the gods. They adorned Partha with a crown, armlets, necklaces, bracelets, and earrings, making him shine like a second Indra. At that moment, Purandara embraced his son with affection, and Shachi Devi, along with Arundhati and others, likewise showed favor. The noble women, joyful and adorned with their own ornaments, performed the auspicious wedding rites for Subhadrā, together with the Apsaras. The women there regarded Subhadrā as Paulomi herself; thus the marriage flourished, accomplished with every virtue. Taking Subhadrā’s hand, with mantras and sacrificial rites preceding, Jishnu—Arjuna—shone with her, as the husband of Shachi shines with Shachi herself.