During his stay at Dwarka Arjun met Shri Krishna's beautiful sister Subhadra and had a desire to marry her. Shri Krishna's elder brother Balaram was in favour of Duryodhan and had wished that Subhadra should marry him. However, Shri Krishna for the cause of cultural regeneration wanted her to marry Arjun. Shri Krishna said to Arjun: "In a Swayamwar she chooses a bridegroom or else she has to be abducted". There is an element of uncertainty in a Swayamwar. He, therefore, advised Arjun that he should take away Subhadra, with him.

When Arjun eloped with Subhadra the Yadavas and particularly Balaram were enraged. The army was alerted. Balaram said "When the Pandavas behave like this, how can they be called the believers of justice and the followers of moral and ethical codes?" To this Shri Krishna replied in a soft voice. "There is nothing wrong in what has happened. It is desirable that Yadavas should establish relationship with a noble family like that of Puruvansh (Pandavas). It is true that Arjun himself is very brave and valiant. It is true that Arjun should have formally proposed for a marriage but a brave man with self-respect might not like to be denied of his proposal. In fact, because of this incident my respect and esteem for Arjun has increased."

On hearing Shri Krishna, the agitated Yadavas were calmed down. Balaram himself went to Indraprastha to seek consent of Yudhisthir. The marriage ceremony of Arjun and Subhadra on her marriage to enable the Pandavas to establish a 'Dharma Rajya'. Huge wealth was given to propagate culture.