Krishna Blesses His Devotees

Chapter 86

Maharaja Pariksit was inquisitive as to how Arjuna and Subhadra, his grandfather and grandmother, were married. Sukadeva Goswami narrated the story and depicted how Krishna unfailingly reciprocates with His devotees.

Whilst on pilgrimage incognito, Arjuna came to Prabhasa, where he heard that Balarama was arranging a marriage between Subhadra and Duryodhana. Enchanted by her beauty, Arjuna kidnapped Subhadra at an opportune moment and valiantly fended off the outraged opponents. All of this was sanctioned by Krishna, and although Balarama was annoyed, the Lord expertly pacified Him.

In Videha (Mithila), lived Srutadeva, a poor brahmana, and Bahulasva, the ruler of the kingdom, who both worshipped the Lord with heartfelt bhakti. Pleased with them, Krishna personally visited both their homes – one was very simple, and the other supremely opulent. They both received the Lord with great love and devotion, offered prayers of gratitude, and achieved the supreme destination, highlighting that one’s material circumstance is no impediment to bhakti.