Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 10.86.2-3
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesKṛṣṇa Encourages Arjuna’s Unconventional Plan
“Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: While traveling far and wide visiting various holy places of pilgrimage, Arjuna came to Prabhāsa. There he heard that Lord Balarāma intended to give his maternal cousin Subhadrā to Duryodhana in marriage, and that no one else approved of this plan. Arjuna wanted to marry her himself, so he disguised himself as a renunciant, complete with triple staff, and went to Dvārakā.”
What the purport teaches
- While visiting holy places, Arjuna reached Prabhāsa and heard that Lord Balarāma intended Subhadrā to marry Duryodhana.
- Arjuna wanted to marry her himself, so he went to Dvārakā disguised as a renunciant carrying a triple staff.
- His plan was unconventional, but Lord Kṛṣṇa was its chief supporter. Most of the royal family, especially Vasudeva, were unhappy about the proposed marriage to Duryodhana.
Try this today
List the proposed marriage and the alternative Arjuna hoped for, noting Kṛṣṇa’s support.
Ask yourself
How does Kṛṣṇa’s encouragement affect your understanding of Arjuna’s plan?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
From Canto 10, chapter 14 onward, the translation and purports were completed by Śrīla Prabhupāda's disciples after his departure, and published by the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust.