Arjuna and Subhadra Get Married

The attendants and servants who saw Subhadra being abducted gave the alarm but, by then, Arjuna had already driven afar. They hastened to Dwarka and tearfully told everyone how Arjuna had kidnapped Subhadra.

Under Balarama's leadership, the Yadavas of the Vrishni clan armed themselves and set out to rescue Subhadra. When Balarama saw Krishna sitting calmly, he was infuriated. 

"What are you doing?" he yelled. "How did Arjuna have the nerve to do such a thing? Because of you, we treated him with respect and hospitality. We will not tolerate such humiliation. We will wipe out the Kuru clan completely."

Krishna tried to pacify Balarama. "Brother, please think this through carefully. Arjuna has insulted neither our family nor our hospitality. He merely didn't want the bride to be given to him as a gift. In a swayamvara, it is not certain who will be chosen; that is why he kidnapped Subhadra. This is an accepted practice among Kshatriyas. Subhadra is a princess, and he too belongs to a respected royal family."

After listening to Krishna, Balarama's fury subsided. Balarama and some Yadavas set out to find where Arjuna had taken Subhadra. When they did, they respectfully brought the two of them back to Dwarka.

Arjuna and Subhadra were married according to the prescribed rites and rituals. Arjuna spent a few more days with the Vrishni Yadavas and then returned to Indraprastha along with Subhadra. Kunti and the Pandavas warmly welcomed the newlyweds.