mahatyam -- important; deva -- for the Supreme Lord; yatrayam -- during a festival; ratha -- on a chariot; stham -- riding; durga -- from the fortress; nirgatam -- having exited; jahara -- he seized her; anumatah -- sanctioned; pitroh -- by her parents; krishnasya -- by Krishna; ca -- and; maha-rathah -- the mighty chariot warrior.

Once, on the occasion of a great temple festival in honor of the Supreme Lord, Subhadra rode out of the fortresslike palace on a chariot, and at that time the mighty chariot warrior Arjuna took the opportunity to kidnap her. Subhadra's parents and Krishna had sanctioned this.