Having taken leave of King Vipṛthu, Arjuna, son of Pāṇḍu, offered his respects with a heart full of satisfaction. Following the wise counsel of Kṛṣṇa, he ascended the chariot that had been prepared for him. Earlier, Kṛṣṇa himself had arranged for Arjuna a magnificent chariot, resplendent with precious gems and every conceivable luxury. This chariot gleamed with golden fittings and had been constructed according to sacred rites. It was yoked to noble steeds named Shaibya and Sugrīva and adorned with a network of tinkling bells. Within it were stored all manner of weapons; the chariot thundered like a monsoon cloud and shone with the brilliance of blazing fire, striking dread into the hearts of any who opposed it. Clad in armor, sword in hand, and with a leather thumb guard bound for archery, Arjuna was accompanied by his army. He placed Mādhavī—Subhadrā—upon the chariot, and, with a speed like the rushing wind, departed for his own city. As the people and soldiers witnessed Subhadrā being carried away, cries of alarm rose up. All rushed toward the city of Dvārakā, their voices echoing with urgency. Gathering together, they hurried to the great Sudharmā assembly hall, where they reported all of Arjuna’s bold deeds to the hall’s guardian. Upon hearing this, the hall guardian struck the ritual drum, a great golden instrument, whose deep reverberations filled the air. Startled by the tumult, the Bhojas, Vṛṣṇis, and Andhakas left their meals and drink, rushing from every corner of the inner city, converging at the assembly. Within the hall, golden seats and couches for rivalry, adorned with gems and coral, shone with the radiance of fire. The mighty chariot-warriors of the Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas, men like tigers, took their places upon hundreds of thrones, which glowed like sacrificial seats around a sacred fire. As they assembled, resembling the gods in council, the hall guardian, attended by his followers, narrated all the actions of Jiṣṇu—Arjuna. On hearing this, the heroic Vṛṣṇis, their eyes reddened with wine and anger, were unable to bear Arjuna’s boldness. Swelling with pride, they leapt to their feet. “Quickly harness the chariots! Bring the spears!” they cried. “Bring the finest bows and the strongest armor!” Some charioteers called out to ready the chariots, while others themselves yoked the horses, their harnesses glinting with gold. As chariots, armor, and banners were brought forth, the clamor of the warriors grew immense and tumultuous. At that moment, Vanamālī—Balarāma—tall and powerful as the peak of Mount Kailāsa, clad in blue garments and intoxicated with pride, spoke out: “What is this you are doing, lacking in wisdom, while Janārdana remains silent? Not understanding his intent, you roar in vain, enraged.” He continued, “This wise one has now expressed his intention. Whatever he finds agreeable, let it be done without delay.” Hearing these reasonable words from Halāyudha—Balarāma—all fell silent and murmured, “Well spoken, well spoken.” Accepting the impartial speech of wise Baladeva, they sat down together again in the assembly. Then Rāma, subduer of foes, turned to Vasudeva and addressed Kṛṣṇa: “O Kṛṣṇa, Lord of the Three Worlds, creator of what has been, is, and will be, why do you sit here silently, watching, O Janārdana? For your sake, O Achyuta, we all honored Pārtha, but that evil-minded one, a disgrace to his lineage, does not deserve such respect. “Who, having eaten at one’s table, would break the dish, thinking himself noble and a man? Who, seeking alliance and honoring prior kindness, would ever act so rashly in pursuit of his aim? He has insulted us, disregarding even Keśava, and has today carried off Subhadrā by force, bringing death upon himself. “How can I endure that he placed his foot upon my head, O Govinda, as a serpent might endure a foot upon its hood? Today I will rid the earth of the Kauravas single-handed, for I cannot tolerate this outrage by Arjuna.” As Balarāma thundered thus, his voice like a storm cloud and drum, all the Bhojas, Vṛṣṇis, and Andhakas rallied behind him. The Vṛṣṇis, each according to his strength, spoke heatedly. Then Vasudeva—Kṛṣṇa—spoke words joined with righteousness and purpose: “What I said before was not heard by all the Yādavas together. What is done is done and cannot be undone. Listen now, all of you, to my reasoned words. “Guḍākeśa—Arjuna—has not shown disrespect to this family; rather, he has honored us even more—of this there is no doubt. Pārtha does not think the Satvatas are greedy for wealth, and the Pāṇḍava considers the svayamvara sacred. “Who would treat the giving of a maiden like the sale of cattle? Who would sell his own child? I believe Kaunteya saw these faults: for kṣatriyas, the forceful taking of a bride is praised. Therefore, the Pāṇḍava took the maiden by force, in accordance with dharma. “The alliance is proper, and Subhadrā is virtuous; Arjuna too is worthy—thus he took her by force. Who would not wish for a son born in the line of Bharata, the illustrious son of Śāntanu, and the son of Kuntibhoja’s daughter, other than Arjuna? “I see none who could conquer Pārtha by force in battle, except perhaps Hara—Virūpākṣa, remover of Bhaga’s eye—himself. Even among all the worlds, with Indra and Rudra, is there such a chariot as his, and such horses? My own weapon, and my inexhaustible quivers—who could be Arjuna’s equal in battle? Therefore, let us approach Dhanañjaya, supreme among men, with conciliation.” Thus, with wisdom and restraint, Kṛṣṇa calmed the assembly and guided their hearts toward peace.