पाण्डवस्य सुभद्रायाः सकाशे तु यशस्विनः। समुत्पत्तिः प्रभावश्च गदेन कथितः पुरा
The origin and greatness of the illustrious Pandava in the presence of Subhadrā were formerly recounted by Gada.
श्रुत्वा चाशनिनिर्घोषं केशवेनापि धीमता। उपमामर्जुनं कृत्वा विस्तरः कथितः पुरा
Having heard the thunderous sound, the wise Kesava once compared Arjuna and narrated the story in detail.
क्रुद्धमानप्रलापश्च वृष्णीनामर्जुनं प्रति। पौरुषं चोपमां कृत्वा प्रावर्तत धनुष्मताम्
The angry and proud speech of the Vrishnis toward Arjuna began, making comparisons of manliness among the bowmen.
अन्योन्यकलहे चापि विवादे चापि वृष्णयः। अर्जुनोपि न मे तुल्यः कुतस्त्वमिति चाब्रुवन्
In mutual quarrels and disputes, the Vrishnis said, 'Arjuna is not equal to me; whence are you?'
जातांश्च पुत्रान्गृह्णन्त आशिषो वृष्णयोऽब्रवन्। अर्जुनस्य समो वीर्ये भव तात धनुर्धरः
Taking their sons, the Vrishnis gave blessings, saying, 'Become equal in valor to Arjuna, O child, as a wielder of the bow.'
तस्मात्सुभद्रा चकमे पौरुषाद्भरतर्षभम्। सत्यसन्धस्य रूपेण चातुर्येण च मोहिता
Therefore, Subhadrā desired the best of the Bharatas for his manliness, captivated by his truthfulness, beauty, and cleverness.
चारणातिथिसंघानां गदस्य च निशम्य सा। अदृष्टे कृतभावाभूत्सुभद्रा भरतर्षभे
Having heard from Gada about the gatherings of Charanas and guests, Subhadrā developed feelings for the Bharata chief whom she had not seen.
कीर्तयन्ददृशे यो यः कथंचित्कुरुजाङ्गलम्। तं तमेव तदा भद्रा बीभत्सुं स्म हि पृच्छति
Whenever anyone mentioned or described the Kurujāngala, Bhadrā would then ask about Bibhatsu.
अभीक्ष्णश्रवणादेवमभीक्ष्णपरिपृच्छनात्। प्रत्यक्ष इव भद्रायाः पाण्डवः प्रत्यपद्यत
By frequent hearing and constant questioning, Pandava became, as it were, present before Bhadrā.
भुजौ भुजगसङ्काशौ ज्याघातेन किणीकृतौ। पार्थोऽयमिति पश्यन्त्या निःशंसयमजायत
Seeing his arms, resembling serpents and marked by the bowstring, she became certain: 'This is Partha.'
यथारूपं हि शुश्राव सुभद्रा भरतर्षभम्। तथारूपमवेक्ष्यैनं परां प्रीतिमवाप सा
Just as Subhadra had heard of the appearance of the bull among the Bharatas, so when she saw him in that very form, she felt the highest delight.
सा कदाचिदुपासीनं पप्रच्छ कुरुनन्दनम्। कथं देशाश्च चरिता नानाजनपदाः कथम्
Once, as she sat near him, Subhadra questioned the joy of the Kurus: 'How did you travel through the lands, and what were the various peoples like?'
सरांसि सरितश्चैव वनानि च कथं यते। दिशः काश्च कथं प्राप्ताश्चरता भवता सदा
'How did you cross the lakes and rivers, and the forests? How did you reach the different regions as you wandered always?'
स तथोक्तस्तदा भद्रां बहुनर्मामृतं ब्रुवन्। उवाच परमप्रीतस्तथा बहुविधाः कथाः
Thus addressed, he, greatly pleased, spoke to the blessed lady, telling her many delightful and charming stories in various ways.
निशण्य विविधं तस्य लोके चरितमात्मनः। तथा परिगतो भावः कन्यायाः समपद्यत
Hearing of his many adventures in the world, the feelings of the maiden grew ever deeper toward him.
पर्वसन्धौ तु कस्मिंश्चित्सुभद्रा भरतर्षभम्। रहस्येकान्तमासाद्य हर्षमाणाऽभ्यभाषत
Then, at a certain festival time, Subhadra, filled with joy, approached the bull among the Bharatas in a secluded and private place and spoke to him.
यतिना रचता देशान्खाण्डवप्रस्थवासिनी। कश्चिद्भगवता दृष्टा पृथाऽस्माकं पितृष्वसा
'While wandering through the lands in the guise of an ascetic, did you see our aunt Pritha, who dwells at Khandavaprastha, O Blessed One?'
भ्रातृभिः प्रीयते सर्वैर्दृष्टः कच्चिद्युधिष्ठिरः। कच्चिद्धर्मपरो भीमो धर्मराजस्य धीमतः
'Are all her sons well and pleased with each other? Has Yudhishthira, the wise king, been seen? Is Bhima still devoted to righteousness?'
निवृत्तसमयः कच्चिदपराधाद्धनञ्जयः। नियमे कामभोगानां वर्तमानः प्रिये रतः
'Has Arjuna, freed from his vow, ceased his abstinence due to some offense, and is he now engaged in the enjoyment of pleasures, delighting in his beloved?'
क्व नु पार्थश्चरत्यद्य बहिः स वसतीर्वसन्। सुखोचितो ह्यदुःखार्हो दीर्घबाहुररिन्दमः
'Where is Partha now wandering, living outside the dwellings? He is accustomed to comfort, undeserving of sorrow, that long-armed subduer of foes.'
कच्चिच्छ्रुतो वा दृष्टो वा पार्थो भगवताऽर्जुनः। निशम्य वचनं तस्यास्तामुवाच हसन्निव
'Have you heard of or seen Partha, the blessed Arjuna?' Hearing her words, he replied, smiling slightly.
आर्या कुशलिनी कुन्ती सहपुत्रा सहस्नुषा। प्रीयते पश्यती पुत्रान्खाण्डवप्रस्थ आसते
'Noble Kunti is well, along with her sons and daughters-in-law; she delights in seeing her sons, who dwell at Khandavaprastha.'
अनुज्ञातश्च मात्रा च सोदरैश्च धनञ्जयः। द्वारकामावसत्येको यतिलिङ्गेन पाण्डवः
'With his mother’s and brothers’ permission, Dhananjaya, the Pandava, now dwells alone in Dvaraka, disguised as an ascetic.'
पश्यन्ती सततं कस्मान्नाभिजानासि माधवि। निशण्य वचनं तस्य वासुदेवसहोदरी
'Why do you not recognize him, Madhavi, though you see him constantly?' Hearing his words, the sister of Vasudeva—
निश्वासबहुला तस्थौ क्षितिं विलिखती तदा। ततः परमसंहृष्टः सर्वशस्त्रभृतां वरः
—stood there, breathing heavily, scratching the ground. Then, the best of all wielders of weapons, filled with supreme joy—
अर्जुनोऽहमिति प्रीतस्तामुवाच धनञ्जयः। यथा तव गतो भावः श्रवणान्मयि भामिनि
—Dhananjaya, delighted, said to her, 'I am Arjuna! Just as your feelings have turned toward me from hearing, O beautiful one—'
त्वद्गतः सततं भावस्तथा तव गुणैर्मम। प्रशस्तेऽहनि धर्मेण भद्रे स्वयमहं वृतः
'So too my heart is always drawn to you by your virtues. On an auspicious day, in accordance with dharma, O blessed one, I have chosen you myself.'
सत्यवानिव सावित्र्या भविष्यामि पतिस्तव
'I shall be your husband, O fair one, as Satyavan was to Savitri.'
एवमुक्त्वा ततः पार्थः प्रविवेश लतागृहम्। ततः सुभद्रा ललिता लज्जाभावसमन्विता
Having spoken thus, Partha entered the bower of creepers; then Subhadra, graceful and filled with modesty, was present.
मुमोह शयने दिव्ये शयाना न तथोचिता। नाकरोद्यतिपूजां सा लज्जाभावमुपेयुषी
Lying upon the divine bed, Subhadra fainted, for she was not accustomed to such; she did not perform any special worship, having become overwhelmed by modesty.