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Aug 24, 2001
Amba was the eldest daughter of Kashiraj, the king of Kashi. Her two younger sisters were Ambika and Ambalika. When the three were of marriageable age the king arranged their swayamwara. “Swayam” means self and “wara” means husband. Swayamwara is a ceremony in which the bride to be chooses her husband from the assembled suitors.
Amongst the kings and princes present, the most prominent was Shalva, the king of Saubala. He and Amba were secretly in love and Amba had planned to put her garland around his neck. When the ceremony was about to begin, Bhishma, the regent of Hastinapura, strode in. Since he had taken a vow of celibacy in his youth everyone was surprised to see him. Though no one dared to confront him, there were sniggers that perhaps he was tired of his oath and wanted to taste the fruits of married life. Bhishma approached Kashiraj and said, “I come on behalf of the king of Hastinapura, my younger step-brother, Vichitraveerya. For generations the princesses of Kashi have been married in the royal family of Hastinapura. By holding this swayamwara you have broken this tradition and insulted us. I am taking away your daughters with me to Hastinapura where they will be married to the king. If any in this gathering wants to stop me he is welcome to try.” Saying this he left the hall with the three princesses of Kashi. Some sources say that the suitors present stood rooted to the ground, others state that they put up an apology of a challenge. However all sources agree that Shalva chased Bhishma and engaged him in battle. But skilled as he was, he was no match for Bhishma and was forced to surrender. Bhishma took Amba, Ambika and Ambalika to meet Satyavati, the Queen Mother. Ambika and Ambalika readily agreed to marry Vichitraveerya for this was the best thing that could happen to them. Amba, however, told Bhishma of her love for Shalva and requested his permission to be set free. It was not befitting the king of Hastinapura to marry a girl who loved someone else, so Bhishma sent Amba to Saubala with the respect a princess deserved. But at Saubala a rude shock awaited Amba. Shalva refused to accept Amba. Being defeated by Bhishma was embarrassing enough, but receiving his love in charity was like having salt rubbed on his wounds. So once again Amba was forced to go to Hastinapura. She held Bhishma responsible for her predicament. Shalva would not have her and she could not shame her father by returning to Kashi unmarried. Hence now it was Bhishma’s bounden duty to marry her. But Bhishma was chained by his vow of celibacy and flatly refused to marry Amba.
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