THE BROTHER

Lord Srikrishn had numerous brothers and sisters. Lord Srikrishn respected all of them and they also loved him dearly. His elder brother Balaram was short tempered but Lord Srikrishn always succeeded in tactfully handling him.

Elope my sister

 Arjun was on pilgrimage to Prabhaskshetra in Gujarat. He stayed at the palace of Lord Lord Srikrishn in Dwarka and enjoyed his company. He learnt that Balaram had fixed the marriage of his sister Subhadra with Duryodhan while neither Lord Srikrishn nor Vasudev approved of it. Arjun wished to see and marry her. He disguised as a mendicant and met Balaram and others who welcomed him, unaware of his true identity. When Balaram invited him home for dinner, Arjun was thrilled to see beautiful Subhadra.  Subhadra also fell in love with him. She threw an enticing glance at him. Arjun was beguiled. He began to ponder as to how to get her as his wife. He got restive and conferred with Lord Srikrishn.” Among Kshatriya clans swayamvar is the way of choosing a husband. I cannot say if Subhadra would choose you or not. But another accepted way among Kshatriya clans is abducting the bride. This path suits you well.” Counselled Lord Srikrishn and confided this to his parents who also approved of the proposal.  Lord Srikrishn also cautioned Arjun to let Subhadra drive the chariot as they eloped from Dwarka. On the appointed day Subhadra came out of the fort to visit a temple. Arjun lifted her up and made her hold the reigns of horses of his chariot. The couple drove fast to reach Indraprasth. The soldiers followed him but he vanquished them in no time. Arjun took her away as a lion takes away his share in the forest, fearlessly.

The news spread fast in the entire Dwarka. When Balaram learnt of Subhadra's elopement, he got furious.  “Arjun was well treated here yet he took us for a ride. He belongs to a decent family but he has brought disgrace to all by abducting Subhadra. I cannot bear it. I alone am capable of taking the Kaurav to task. I cannot forgive Arjun for his act of impudence.”  Thundered Balaram, supported by all other warriors. The repercussions could have been fatal but for the tactfulness of wizard Lord Srikrishn. He himself was the insinuator behind the elopement of Subhadra. Balaram was in no mood to listen to anything from anybody. Lord Srikrishn grabbed his feet tightly and said, -“Arjun has not insulted us brother! He has rather honoured us. Realizing the dignity of our family only, has he taken her away. He had a doubt in winning Subhadra in swayamvar. Arjun has acted according to Kshatriya dharm and this behoves him well. He matches Subhadra perfectly. Winning him in fray is impossible for anyone, except Lord Shiv. Moreover, he has my horses and chariot with him. I believe we should invite him and wed him Subhadra properly otherwise if he defeated us then yaduvanshis will be nowhere and earn only disgrace. Joining hands with him will bring us honour..... and add to our grace.” Advice of an ace diplomatic brother calmed down the seething turbulence in the palace of Dwarka. His speech and style turned the table. None could argue further. Arjun was invited in Dwarka and Subhadra was given in marriage to him with respect and gifts.

Brother in law of Durvasa

Lord Srikrishn gave one of his sisters named Ekansha to sage Durvasa. Sage Durvasa had turned his first wife Kadali into ashes in a fit of rage. Cursed by his father-in-law sage Aurv, he was greatly humiliated by king Ambarish of Ayodhya. When sage Durvasa came to see Lord Srikrishn in Dwarka, Lord Srikrishn divulged that his ideal wife was yogkanya Ekansha and married her off to sage Durvasa.

Amazing Uncle Lord Srikrishn

Lord Srikrishn stayed at Indraprasth after marriage of Subhadra with Arjun. His nephew Abhimanyu resembled him greatly. When Abhimanyu was just an adolescent, cruel Kaurav killed him. Lord Srikrishn and Arjun were away chasing other enemies. As they returned and learnt of his killing, Arjun vowed to kill Jayadrath the son-in-law of Gandhari who had killed Abhimanyu. He implored Lord Srikrishn to console his sister Subhadra and daughter-in-law Uttara, the wife of Abhimanyu. Lord Srikrishn reached in the palace of Subhadra and addressed her, -"Sister! You and Uttara should give up sorrow. Time makes everyone face this end. Your son was born in great family, he was a great warrior and attained a glorious death that suits his status. Even great saints and celibates aspire for this kind of attainment of a grand end. You are the mother of a great son, sister and wife of great warriors. Your son has attained very high status after death, so give up sorrow! All Kshatriya and even I long for this kind of status. Arjun has vowed to kill cruel Jayadrath by tomorrow. You will see him dead soon."

Subhadra was immersed in deep sorrow. She kept on lamenting. Draupadi and Uttara also joined her. All three wept bitterly and fainted in sorrow. Lord Srikrishn felt deep pity and tried to bring them to consciousness by sprinkling their faces with water. He warmly addressed them, -"Subhadre! Do not grieve for your son anymore. Draupadi! You should comfort Uttara. Abhimanyu has attained the higher status after death. The gallantry that your great son has displayed and the status he has attained, may all of us and our warriors also attain and emulate him." Thus by praising Abhimanyu highly Lord Srikrishn pacified Subhadra and others.

Back home in Dwarka he disclosed the news of valiant end of grandson Abhimanyu to father Vasudev. Vasudev was in ineffable sorrow.  Lord Srikrishn narrated the gallantry of Abhimanyu and assured his father that brave Abhimanyu had attained heaven. “Father! Aunt Kunti consoled Subhadra in best ways and performed great charity to appease the soul of Abhimanyu. I have brought Subhadra along with me. Appreciating the status he has attained, please give up sorrow for your grandson.” Listening to enlightening speech of Lord Srikrishn, Vasudev composed himself. Lord Srikrishn performed ‘shradh’ of his nephew and feasted six million austere Brahmans. He donated them all such mammoth wealth that they all got fed up with wealth.