The Duty and its Tragic Consequences: The Story of Amba, Ambika, and Ambalika – 13
The story of Bhishma, Amba, Ambika, and Ambalika demonstrates the complex and tragic consequences of actions taken in the past, even when they are motivated by good intentions. The power of vows and the importance of honoring them, as well as the role of fate and destiny, are recurring themes in the Mahabharata.
This is a tale that played a crucial role in the epic of Mahabharata as it sets the stage for the Mahabharata in several ways. First, it introduces important characters and their backstories, such as Bhishma, Satyavati, and Vyasa. It also establishes the importance of lineage and inheritance, which becomes a major theme throughout the Mahabharata.
Bhishma, the son of King Shantanu and Ganga, had taken a vow of celibacy for the sake of his father’s happiness, which meant that he could not father any children. Shantanu’s other wife, Satyavati, had two sons – Chitrangada and Vichitravirya. After Chitrangada’s untimely death, Vichitravirya became the king but being a minor, the kingdom was ruled by Bhisma, under the authority of Queen Satyavati.
When Vichitravirya was of marriageable age, Bhisma went to find him a wife. Amba, Ambika, and Ambalika were the daughters of the King of Kashi. Bhisma learned that the three beautiful daughters of the King of Kasi would choose their own husbands in a public swayamvara ceremony. Bhisma then went to the ceremony and, in accordance with the customs of the time, abducted the princesses in his chariot, challenging anyone who opposed him. A fierce battle ensued, but Bhisma was able to overcome all opposition and achieve his goal, even when faced with ten thousand arrows shot at him simultaneously.
At the swayamvara, Amba had already chosen King Salva as her husband, but Bhishma kidnapped her and her sisters on behalf of Vichitravirya. When they arrived at Hastinapur, Vichitravirya was smitten by Ambika and Ambalika, but Amba refused to marry Vichitravirya as she had already given her heart to Salva.
Bhishma, realizing that Amba would not change her mind, arranged for her to be sent back to Salva. However, Salva refused to accept her, feeling insulted that she had been rejected by Bhishma. Amba then went back to Bhishma, seeking his protection and support, but Bhishma refused to marry her himself, as he had already taken a vow of celibacy.
Feeling betrayed and helpless, Amba turned to the gods and prayed for revenge. The gods granted her wish and promised her that she would be the cause of Bhishma’s death in her next life. Amba died by self-immolation or the act of setting oneself on fire. She was reborn as Shikhandi, a male warrior, and aided Arjuna in the battle against Bhishma during the Kurukshetra war which lead to his death.
Meanwhile, Vichitravirya married Ambika and Ambalika, but he died soon after without any heirs.
In ancient times, the lack of an heir to a kingdom was a matter of great concern. After Vichitravirya’s death, the responsibility of continuing the dynasty fell on his two widows, Ambika and Ambalika. Satyavati urged Bhisma to fulfill his duty and father children with the widows. However, Bhisma, who had taken a vow of celibacy, refused. So, Satyavati turned to her other son, Vyasa, who agreed to help. However, Vyasa was a sage who had a terrifying appearance due to his years of austerity. When he approached Ambika in the lamplight, she closed her eyes in fear, and her son Dhritarashtra was born blind. Ambalika was so scared that her son Pandu was born with a pale complexion.
Satyavati still desired a perfect heir, and she asked Vyasa to have another child with Ambika. However, Ambika sent a beautiful slave girl instead of herself, hoping to deceive Vyasa. Vyasa saw through her trickery but still had a child with the slave girl. The child was named Vidura and was known for his intelligence and virtue. Despite being the son of a Sudra woman, he was considered an incarnation of the god of justice.
Overall, the story of Amba, Ambika, and Ambalika illustrates the complex themes of duty, honor, destiny, and revenge that are central to the Mahabharata. It shows how the actions of one individual can have far-reaching consequences and how the pursuit of revenge can lead to tragic outcomes. The story also highlights the customs and practices of ancient India, including the practice of Niyoga and the importance of family lineage and inheritance.
Furthermore, the story of Amba, Ambika, and Ambalika also serves as a cautionary tale against the violation of women’s rights and the practice of treating women as property to be won or lost in battles. It highlights the importance of respecting women’s autonomy and agency in matters of marriage and relationships.