One Shots

Marriage Woes II

Subhadra, as per Krishna's advice reached Somnath temple along with a few dasis and four guards. Her mind was clouded with fear – fear that she would get married to Duryodhan that evening. While walking towards the temple, she passed a few sadhus and rishis praying there. What she didn't notice was that one of them was particularly interested in her.

----------- yesterday ---------------

Arjun was on his way to Somnath temple, where Krishna said his journey would complete. He was looking forward to meeting Krishna. At sunset, Krishna finally arrived at the temple and greeted all the rishis.

"How are you Parth?"

"I am blessed now that I've seen you Madhav."

Krishna smiled warmly at seeing his friend's devotion to him.

"Now Arjun, do you remember what I told you about this place?"

"Yes Madhav, you told me my journey will be fulfilled here."

"Yes. Now that you're here, I must tell you about something very important."

Seeing the grave look on Krishna's face, Arjun suddenly dreaded his next words.

"Parth, Gandhar Raj Shakuni, and Brother Duryodhan have arrived at Dwarka. They have put forth a proposal that Balram Dau has accepted."

"What proposal Madhav?"

"A proposal to unite Yadavas and Kauravas, through marriage. They have proposed we get my dear sister Subhadra married to Duryodhan."

Arjun immediately realized the true intentions behind this proposal.

"Madhav, marriage is just an excuse, Brother Duryodhan wants to stop the rajyasuyi yagya of Indraprastha. If he has Yadavas on his side, we will have to defeat you in order for Brother Yudhishthir to become king."

"Even if it is that way, I cannot refuse such a good proposal. Dau has already given his blessings to this marriage after all."

"But Madhav, if you side with Hastinapur, we will have to fight you and your army. We brothers would never raise weapons against you!"

"All this concern for your brothers and me but none for my dear sister? After all, she has to marry that man."

Arjun got taken aback by his question. He had never met Princess Subhadra. He had heard about her, of course. She was described as being otherworldly beautiful and possessing a kind heart. So naturally, he felt bad for her. He wouldn't wish for anyone to marry that man.

"No Madhav, of course, I feel bad for her. No one should be forced to marry anyone."

"Whenever did I say that she's being forced" Krishna said with a smirk evident on his face.

Arjun looked at him with a puzzled look.

"Surely she doesn't wish to marry him, does she?"

Krishna started to laugh. He put his hand on Arjun's shoulder and shook his head.

"If you ask her to marry Brother Duryodhan or jump off a cliff, she won't hesitate before jumping!"

"So then, why are you letting Balram Shri marry her to Duryodhan?"

"Hmm. It is a tough situation, isn't it?"

Arjun began thinking about it, unaware of the smirk that Krishna held on his face. He was too busy thinking about how to stop this wedding, not only for Indraprastha but for that poor woman who was to suffer a fate worse than death.

"Madhav, we cannot let this wedding happen!"

"No Parth, we cannot."

"What do we do?"

"Come here tomorrow morning. You'll get your answers."

----------- Present time --------------

Subhadra began praying to Lord Shiva with tears in her eyes.

"Mahadev, I will never be happy with that adharmi man. Please save me from this marriage!"

Arjun sat there with the other rishis, thinking about what Krishna had told him. He had just seen the glimpse of Princess Subhadra and was now waiting for her to return so he could tell her to run away. That was the only way.

Subhadra started descending the stairs of the temple when someone behind her tripped and dumped flowers onto her.

Arjun stood mesmerized by the picture before him. Princess Subhadra was standing on the stairs while flowers fell over her. Her eyes shone like the moon on purnima. She was beauty personified. Instantly Arjun felt the urge to marry her. As soon as he saw her, he understood what Krishna wanted him to do.

He walked towards the princess who was shrugging the stray petals off of her clothes.

"Hurry up Princess, we have to be back before the mohrat."

"I know that! You don't have to remind me!"

With a heavy heart, she began descending the rest of the stairs. Even a visit to Somnath hadn't solved her problems. She started thinking that marrying him was her destiny. And that's when she saw a rishi walking towards her.

Arjun couldn't take his eyes off her. It was as if he was in a trance. She reached near him and joined her hands.

"Rishimuni, please bless me and pray that I don't get married today", she said as she bowed to touch his feet.

"May all your wishes come true!"

"I see you both have finally met!"

They both turned to see Krishna standing there, smiling.

"Bhrata Krishn! I did as you told me to. Please tell me I won't marry that man!"

"No Subhadre, you won't. I have selected a better groom for you."

Krishna turned towards the rishi and called him.

"Parth, wouldn't you agree that my dear sister and Brother Duryodhan are no match for each other?"

Arjun smiled brightly and folded his hands together.

"No Madhav, they are not."

Subhadra looked between both the men with a confused look on her face.

"Subhadre, meet your to-be husband – Pandav Prince Arjun!"

She turned towards the rishi and looked at him more closely. He had the looks of a warrior. She had heard about Prince Arjun and his bravery and now he stood before her, looking at her lovingly.

"But Bhrata Shri, Dau will never let this go. Think about it! He and Dwarka will be humiliated if I run away before my wedding."

"Do not worry about that Subhadre! Parth, take my sister away and marry her. You have my consent and blessings."

Arjun nodded and grabbed Subhadra's hand.

"Let's go Subhadra. The more we delay, the worse everything will get."

Subhadra nodded as they glanced at Krishna, who was smiling at them.

And with that, they got on the chariot and left to get married.

As soon as they left, Krishna closed his eyes.

"It has started – the beginning of the end."

He saw a battlefield...

A chakravyuh...

A scream...

A boy...

A death...