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Source: The Hindu (http://www.the-hindu.com)

 

God, friend of His devotee

 

CHENNAI, AUG. 17. Devotion to God takes on nine modes and there

are several examples of devotees who realised the Supreme One

through these means. Among them very few had the privilege of

looking upon the Lord as their friend (Sakhya). The instance of

the Pandavas, especially Arjuna's relationship with Lord Krishna,

is a standing example of this kind of devotion.

 

According to Puranic tradition, Arjuna and Lord Krishna are

believed to be the manifestation of Nara and Narayana

respectively. Arjuna was thus the chosen friend of God when He

incarnated as Krishna. Numerous are the instances of His saving

grace in Arjuna's life including His assumption of the menial

role of his charioteer during the Mahabharata war.

 

The manner in which Krishna brought about the marriage of

Subhadra, His half-sister, with Arjuna was a special favour shown

towards His friend. Arjuna went on a pilgrimage after the

Pandavas' marriage to Draupadi, for one year, and in the course

of his wanderings when he came to Prabhasa he remembered his dear

friend Krishna living in Dwaraka close by. He also heard about

the probability of Subhadra's marriage being finalised to

Duryodana, his sworn enemy. As he had evinced interest in her, he

wondered how Lord Krishna who knew about it could have agreed to

the proposal.

 

In her Harikatha, Srimati Manjushree said that as Arjuna wondered

what to do Narada appeared before him and advised him to disguise

himself as an ascetic and enter the precincts of Dwaraka. Arjuna

prayed to Lord Krishna as in his anxiety, his mind naturally

turned to his dear friend. Though Arjuna looked upon Krishna as

his friend He was the Almighty and could intuit what was

transpiring in Arjuna's mind.

 

As Arjuna sat meditating under a tree on the further course of

action Lord Krishna appeared before him as though in answer to

his prayer. The contradiction between Arjuna's attire and the

thoughts uppermost in his mind was bait enough for Krishna, who

revelled in pranks, to tease him. Feigning that as the younger of

the brothers He had allowed the matter of Subadra's marriage to

be decided by Balarama, Krishna assured Arjuna that He would help

him to secure her hand. He consoled him that nothing would please

Him more than seeing his sister wedded to His dearest friend.

 

Without divulging Arjuna's identity Krishna conspired to bring

them together by asking Subhadra to wait on the recluse and

attend to his needs which did not arouse the suspicion of others.

At an opportune time the Lord helped Arjuna to abduct her and

marry her according to the custom of the ruling class in those

days.

 

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