The Princesses of Kashi

Bheeshma brought Satyavati to his father's palace in Hastinapur. When Shantanu learned of his son's sacrifice for his happiness, his eyes welled up with tears. He hugged Bheeshma and said, "Son, I can never repay my debt to you, but I can certainly give you a boon: You will never be defeated in battle and will die only when you desire to."

King Shantanu and Satyavati had two children: Chitrangad and Vichitraveerya. A few years later, the king passed away before his sons came of age. Bheeshma fulfilled his promise and performed Chitrangad's coronation. As Chitrangad was a minor, Bheeshma managed the administrative affairs as his representative. Bheeshma looked after the two princes as if they were his own children.

One day, when King Chitrangad went hunting, he encountered a gandharva named Chitrangad. The gandharva was upset that a human had the same name as him. He challenged the young king to a battle, and although Chitrangad fought valiantly, he was ultimately slain by the gandharva. Following his death, Bheeshma crowned Chitrangad's younger brother, Vichitraveerya, as the king of Hastinapur. When Vichitraveerya reached the age of marriage, Bheeshma started searching for a bride. He discovered that the king of Kashi was going to hold a swayamvar for his three daughters, Amba, Ambika, and Ambalika, who were all beautiful, gentle, and clever.

Bheeshma approached Satyavati. "The king of Kashi has three charming daughters," he told her. "I want your permission to marry them to Vichitraveerya. I will go to their swayamvar and bring them here." After hearing about the princesses' lineage, status, and other details, Satyavati consented. Bheeshma set out for Kashi, armed to the teeth. The kings assembled at the swayamvar were at a loss when they saw Bheeshma, who had vowed to remain a lifelong bachelor, arrive. When the three princesses—Amba, Ambika, and Ambalika—reached the swayamvar hall, Bheeshma stood up and said, "I am here on behalf of my younger half-brother, Vichitraveerya, the king of Hastinapur, who is an ideal groom for the princesses of Kashi. I am taking these young women to Hastinapur by force. If you are brave enough, try and stop me."

The kings at the swayamvar were shocked to hear Bheeshma's announcement. Some wanted to protest but didn't dare to do so. Bheeshma easily defeated those who resisted, including the Prince of Shalv. He then forced Amba, Ambika, and Ambalika into his chariot and sped away. Upon reaching Hastinapur, the eldest princess, Amba, complained to Bheeshma, "You brought me by force without allowing me to speak. I must tell you that even before the swayamvar, I had decided to marry the prince of Shalv. Now, I will let you decide my fate."

After seeking advice from Satyavati, Bheeshma decided to allow Amba to leave. He provided her with a chariot, which she used to travel to the capital of the Shalv kingdom. However, the prince of Shalv was no longer interested in her because Bheeshma had previously taken her against her will. Amba then returned to Hastinapur and asked Bheeshma to marry her. Bheeshma refused due to the vow he had taken. Humiliated and angry, Amba approached Bheeshma's guru, Lord Parashuram, and described the injustice meted out to her by Bheeshma.