Weddings among Warring Clans

While not being central to the plot, there are two stories that are popular, but not a part of Vyaasa’s Mahabhaaratha.

Samba and Lakshana

Samba was the son of Krishna and Jambavathi. When Duryodhana held a ‘swayamvara’ for his daughter Lakshana, Samba is said to have gate-crashed and kidnapped the bride. But the Kauravas overpowered him and held him captive. It was upto the Vrishnis to recue Samba. Balaraama made his way to Hastinapura and tried to prevail upon Duryodhana to release Samba. But the Kauravas were in no mood to listen.

An angered Balaraama is said to have dug his plough deep into the ground and begun to push Hastinapura towards Ganga. A literally shaken Duryodhana relented and released Samba who went on to marry Lakshana.

The ballsy bride

A very popular tale related to Balaraama’s daughter Vatsala’s elopement with Arjuna’s and Subhadra’s son Abhimanyu has been made into movies and plays.

The story goes that Abhimanyu and Vatsala were fond of each other since childhood. After having promised Vatsala’s hand to Abhimanyu, following the loss of kingdom and exile of the Pandavas, Balaraama goes on to arrange her wedding with Duryodhana’s son Lakshmana. While the wedding preparations are underway, Bheema’s son Ghatotkacha and his demon friends dressed as merchants infiltrate the wedding venue and create an illusory setting. Ghatotkacha carries away Vatsala to unite her with Abhimanyu and he himself assumes the form of the bride and troubles the groom greatly.

The uncomfortable groom finally falls down in a faint while the real wedding of Abhimanyu and Vatsala takes place elsewhere. Ghatotakacha and his friends leave the wedding venue with the illusory setting in shambles and the wedding parties in shock.

One can listen to this very popular song and watch Ghatotkacha having a good laugh while looking at the wedding feast in the movie Maya Bazaar (1957)