The Princesses of Kashi

Bhishma brought Satyavati to his father's palace in Hastinapura. When Shantanu learned of his son's sacrifice for his happiness, his eyes welled up with tears. He hugged Bhishma 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: Chitrangada and Vichitravirya. A few years later, the king passed away before his sons came of age. Bhishma fulfilled his promise and performed Chitrangada's coronation. As Chitrangada was a minor, Bhishma managed the administrative affairs as his representative. Bhishma looked after the two princes as if they were his own children.

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

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

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

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