Chapter 10 - The sons of Ambika and Ambalika

I wish I were calling on to my son in happier circumstances....Satyavathi thought as she closed her eyes thinking of her first born son.

She smiled to herself as she fondly remembered the times when she was ferrying people across the Yamuna. It seemed like another life time....almost unconnected with her present life. For a second she wondered whether her daughters-in-law would believe the fact that she, Satyavathi, the present Queen of Hastinapur, was the daughter of the head fisherman. Was she still that same woman? Satyavathi mused as she thought of Sage Parasaran. The sage was the one who was responsible for taking away her fish smell and give her this divine fragrance. The divine fragrance which was responsible for King Shantanu to fall in love with her. Yes...Satyavathi thought nodding to herself. In many ways it was Sage Parasaran who was responsible for her present life, as the Queen of Hastinapur.

Satyavathi thought of her son, her first born son. She had but seen him once in her life. She still remembered her disbelief as she saw her son – a baby grow from a young child to grown up male – all within a span of few minutes. 'Mother! Bless me!' Veda Vyasa had said falling at her feet. Satyavathi still could not believe that the dark, grown up man with wild matted locks, was her son. Even then, Satyavathi could see the knowledge of the Vedas which Vyasa had imbibed shine through him. A gentle soul with passionate eyes. Satyavathi knew that as long as she lived she could never forget that face.

In the present, Satyavathi opened her eyes as she heard a rustling noise. Standing before her was Veda Vyasa, her son exactly as she had imagined him. Satyavathi smelt the fragrance of the fish from him, which had once been a part of her. She smiled with tears in her eyes, as she embraced her son.

For a first few minutes, she seemed incapable of talking as she enjoyed the sheer pleasure of being with her child. Veda Vyasa, divining his mother's feeling kept quiet not saying anything.

That was when Satyavathi realized that Veda Vyasa was standing in her inner apartment. 'How did you get in? Did none of the guards....'

Veda Vyasa chuckled. 'You called me and I came directly to you! Nobody knows that I have come here...'Veda Vyasa looked at the closed door. 'I do not think closed doors or guards can keep me out!'

Both mother and son smiled as Satyavathi made her son sit down. Veda Vyasa studied his mother. 'Why did you call me, mother? Something tells me, motherly affection is not the only reason, you suddenly remembered me...'

Satyavathi smiled to herself a little sadly and she nodded her head. 'How I wish I had spent more time with you...' She said musing a little about her past life. 'What would have happened, if I had not come back to my father for ferrying the people across the Yamuna....Probably then none of this would be happening....'

Veda Vyasa raised his eyebrows. 'You are a queen, mother! The mother of the kings of one of the most powerful kingdoms in the world....' Veda Vyasa frowned, as Satyavathi broke out crying as she heard the words of Veda Vyasa.

A mother of kings....Satyavathi felt the irony of the situation as fresh sobs racked her body. 'I am not the mother of kings....not any more..' She said in a broken voice.

Veda Vyasa waited patiently as Satyvathi controlled herself. She took a deep breath and told him everything. Everything from the foolish promise that her father had extracted from Devavratha, Devavratha's promise which earned him the name of Bhishma, the death of Shantanu, the death of Chitrangada, the marriage of Vichitraviryan to the princesses of Kasi and now the death of Vichitraviryan. 'My father took the kingdom away from Bhishma and my sons' have paid the price for this foolishness!' Satyavathi shook her head. 'I begged Bhishma to take the kingdom and marry Ambalika and Ambika....He is Vichitraviryan's brother and he has the right to the throne and he can marry the princesses.' Satyavathi smiled mirthlessly, shaking her head. 'He said his vow is more important to him, and that the vow is his Dharma! He said he would give everything up, but he would stand by his vow!'

Veda Vyasa nodded as his mother continued. 'So now, I approach you!'

'What do you wish me to do, mother?' The sage asked his mother.

Satyavathi told Veda Vyasa of Bhishma's story of Sage Parashurama. 'So a great sage can perpetuate the royal lineage, when the king dies childless. This is a practice allowed by custom!' Satyavathi said looking down, her heart hammering badly, as she clutched her hands in a tight fist to prevent them from shaking. Would Vyasa accept her wishes or would he also....

Veda Vyasa took a deep breath and looked at his mother. 'If this is what you want, I will carry out your wishes!'

Satyavathi's tear stained face broke into a beautiful smile as she heard the words. She kissed him on the forehead and embraced him once more. 'Thank you...Thank....'

'Mother! Please listen to me!' Veda Vyasa said gently as Satyavathi looked at him frowning. 'Your daughters-in-law.....they are princesses! I...I am....' Veda Vyasa took a deep breath and continued. ' I am sage. I have spent my entire life in the forests, performing penance! I have never bothered about my looks and never will! I look wild and have have this smell of fish coming continuously from me....Your daughters-in-law may get scared of me....Please prepare them properly so that they are not caught unawares....!'

Satyavathi nodded, leaving the room. 'Do not worry! I will prepare my daughter-in-law to receive you!' she said leaving the sage alone.

Satyavathi first approached her elder daughter-in-law Ambika. 'Ambika! I know that you grieve for your husband....' Ambika broke out into fresh sobs as Satyavathi held her tightly. She then looked at her. 'However all that is past! We need to get on with our lives....' Ambika felt scared as she saw the almost single-minded determination in Satyavathis' eyes. Satyavathi took a deep breath continuing. 'The throne of Hastinapur cannot be vacant....The kingdom needs a heir!' Ambika wondered what her mother-in-law expected her to do about it, when Satyvathi continued. 'I have convinced your husband's elder brother to come here....' Ambika frowned some more. She knew only Bhishma as her husband's elder brother. She obviously had no idea as to who Veda Vyasa was and that Satyavathi was referring to him. Ambika wondered how Satyavathi had managed to convince Bhishma to break his vow but she did not say anything....

'He will be coming to meet you!' Satyavathi said continuing completely unaware of the confusion in her daughter-in-law's mind. 'Please be prepared to receive him...Do not be scared of him!' Alarm bells were ringing in Ambika's head now. Why would her mother-in-law expect her to be scared? However Ambika was even more scared of the almost ferocious expression in Satyvathi's face and decided not to ask any questions.

When Ambika first saw Veda Vyasa, she was shocked. The man looked....wild and the smell of fish....Ambika was not able to think anything and closed her eyes tightly as she saw the sage, wishing she never opened them again.....

Satyavathi looked at Veda Vyasa happily, the next day. 'The child which will be born to Ambika....he would be the future king of Hastinapur, won't he?' she asked a hint of desperation in her voice.

Veda Vyasa smiled sadly as he looked at his mother with pity. 'Why did you not tell your daughter-in-law that it was me who was coming to meet her? She got scared of me....she closed her eyes tightly....' Veda Vyasa said sadly. Satyavathi was numbed as she heard Veda Vyasa. She blinked as she tried to think of her conversation. Slowly....slowly she understood her daughter-in-law's confusion and cursed herself for her stupidity. Ambika had not expected to see Veda Vyasa and had obviously been scared out of her wits on seeing him....

Satyavathi blinked as Veda Vyasa continued. 'The child born to Ambika would be strong....Phenomenally strong! But he would be blind!'

Satyavathi looked at Veda Vyasa shocked unable to make sense of her thoughts as they spiraled out of control. 'Ambalika!' She whispered finally. 'I will ask my second daughter-in-law to come and I will tell her everything...Please do not say no to me....Please!' She begged Veda Vyasa.

Veda Vyasa sighed as he finally nodded his head.

Unfortunately for Satyavathi, Ambika had already spoken to Ambalika about the wild man who was Satyavathi's eldest son. By the time Satyvathi spoke to her, Ambalika was so scared of Veda Vyasa that she wanted nothing more than run away from there. But then Satyavathi was the queen of Hastinapur. How could she say no to her?

The next day, Veda Vyasa looked at his mother who was looking at him hopefully. 'Ambalika did not close her eyes, mother....but she got scared....She almost became pale in fear!'

Satyavathi made a chocking voice as Veda Vyasa continued. 'The son of Ambalika would be a brave and bold price....but he would pale....the same colour that his mother went, when she saw me....'

Satyavathi sighed, then she brightened. 'Please son....Come back after the princesses have had the children.....Then....they would not be so scared of you...Probably the child born later on, would become a perfect king of Hastinapur!'

Veda Vyasa almost chuckled looking at his mother. But then he nodded and went away from there.

As Veda Vyasa predicted, Ambika's son was born blind. He was named Dhirdarashtra and he ferociously strong. A day later, Ambalika gave birth to the pale Pandu.

A year later, when Veda Vyasa came back, Satyavathi again approached her daughter-in-law to go to the sage. But Ambika were so completely unnerved of the sage and her mother-in-law that instead of going herself, she sent her maid to the sage.

********

Satyavathi was disappointed because the son born to the maid was perfect in every way but could never ascend the throne.....because he was not the from the royal lineage....The son of Veda Vyasa and the maid was called Vidura, who was considered by many as the embodiment of Lord Dharma....

*********

When Satyavathi requested Veda Vyasa to approach the younger daughter-in-law, for the second time, Veda Vyasa firmly refused. 'Mother, I am a sage! I cannot be here.....I have done what you asked me to do....My work here is done!' So saying Veda Vyasa walked away from Hastinapur without a backward glance.

Chapter 9 - Vichitraviryan and afterwards

So that was the story of the first princess of Kasi. However the Mahabharatha is not just the story of Amba. The story now moves on to Hastinapur. Bhishma had brought the three princesses of Kasi to be married to Vichitraviryan. Amba, as we had seen had seen did not marry Vichitraviryan.

Ambika and Ambalika, the other two beautiful princesses of Kasi were very happy at being chosen to be the queens of Hastinapur.

The two of them married Vichitraviryan and happily lived in Hastinapur. Vichitraviryan though trained well by his brother Bhishma, unfortunately, was not too inclined to look after the kingdom. He was content to leave that in the able hands of Bhishma. And after marriage Vichitraviryan became more focused on his wives than anything else. He spent all his time with his wives ignoring the kingdom completely.

However Satyavati and Bhishma were more than capable of dealing with the kingdom and the people  of the kingdom never complained. Seven years went by and still Vichitraviryan never showed any signs of taking charge of the kingdom.....However letting Vichitraviryan go his way, proved to be a serious error on the part of Satyavati and Bhishma. The excesses of Vichitraviryan went so bad that he came to suffer from tuberculosis.

The people in the court tried calling physicians from all over the country who tried every known remedy and even a lot of unknown cures.....However it was wasted. Vichitraviryan died seven years after the date of his marriage....

Satyvathi was inconsolable. The death of Vichitraviryan had hit her bad and she lived like an automaton....without emotions or without having to think.....And then after all the funeral rites of Vichitraviryan were completed....the irony of the situation hit Satyavathi so suddenly that she came to sob uncontrollably....Unable to pacify her, the guards summoned Bhishma.

'Mother! What is it?' Bhishma asked as a whiff of her powerful perfume swept over Bhishma. Bhishma wondered for the millionth time about how Satyavathi had the heavenly divine perfume on her body and gave it up. The queen never spoke of it and Bhishma had smartly never asked. Over the years both Bhishma and Satyvathi had developed enormous respect for each other as they had both seen each other through all the sorrows which had plagued the Kuru family.

Satyavathi saw Bhishma and fresh tears filled her face. She shook her head unable to speak. Bhishma was alarmed. He knew enough of Satyavathi to know that she was a really tough person and did not break easily. Bhishma led Satyavathi to the chair and made her sit down and waited till Satyavathi regained some control over herself.

'This is so wrong.....This is all so wrong....' Satyavathi said murmuring looking at the strong and handsome face of the fierce man before her. Bhishma looked at Satyavathi not saying anything. 'You should have ruled this kingdom, Bhishma! This kingdom belongs to you! It always has....! All the things which are happening....' Satyavathi said wringing her hands in anguish. 'All these bad things are happening, because you were robbed of your kingdom! If only my foolish father had not imposed such a condition, then you would have been the king of this kingdom and I would have had both my sons with me.....!' Satyavathi said feeling like as if someone was poking her heart with a rather blunt instrument. 'Do you know Bhishma, after Vichitraviryna had....' Satyavathi choked and burst into fresh tears. However she shook her head and picked herself up. 'I thought of ending my life! I mean what use do I have! My husband is dead and both my sons have died....'

Bhishma looked rigid for a few minutes and said gruffly. 'You are the queen of Hastinapur! You cannot entertain such foolish thoughts!' Satyavathi looked at Bhishma not saying anything for a few minutes. For any passerby Bhishma looked the same – strict, proud and stubborn....However Satyavathi knew Bhishma better. From his sunken dull eyes, she knew exactly how much Bhishma missed Vichitraviryan. She knew that Bhishma loved Vichitraviryan like his own son and grieved him as much as she did...probably more...

Satyavathi smiled wryly through her tears as she heard what Bhishma had said. 'Trust me, that was exactly what prevented me from taking my life!' She shook her head hastily. 'I could not leave my kingdom just like that! Though I am a fisher woman by birth, I am now the queen of this kingdom! I cannot just forsake it!' Satyavathi looked at Bhishma straight in the eye. 'And that is the reason I want to talk to you now!'

Bhishma frowned. There was a subtle change in Satyavathi's behaviour just now. Until now she had just been his father's wife. Now she looked.....regal, like the queen of Hastinapur. 'I want you to break your vow and marry your brother's wives!' She said quietly.

Bhishma was beyond stunned. That was the last thing he had expected from Satyavathi. Though Bhishma was numb, a portion of him could not help but marvel at the woman before him. She had put her own grieving aside and had asked him this because of her love for her kingdom.. to make sure that her kingdom was not without a heir....Bhishma felt his respect for Satyavathi grow a little more.

But then he shook his head gravely. 'I am afraid, I cannot break my vow! You should know that by now!' Bhishma gave a peculiar look and Satyvathi knew exactly what that meant. They were both thinking of Amba. Amba with all her beauty, intelligence and stubbornness had wanted the exact same thing from Bhishma and Bhishma had resisted her not for one...two or three years but six years. The chances of Satyavathi succeeding where Amba had failed were exceedingly remote.

However the queen of Hastinapur did not give up easily. She took a deep breath. 'It was for the protection of Dharma that you took the vow, Bhishma! It is for the same Dharma that I am asking you to break it! The kingdom cannot be without a heir and you know it! You cannot just forsake Dharma and pretend that your vow is more important than that!' Satyavathi clutched her fingers tightly in a fist as she hoped.....really hoped that Bhishma could be made to see reason.

Bhishma looked stunned for the second time, as he looked at Satyavathi and suddenly images of his own mother came to him. He had no doubt that the majestic Ganga and this woman were more alike than anyone knew. He had images of his own learning of how Sage Parashurama had taught him....Bhishma shook his head. Focus! That was when he realized why these things were coming to his memory....

'Parashurama!' Bhishma breathed suddenly. Satyavathi looked completely puzzled unable to understand. Bhishma continued rapidly. 'Don't you see! That is your answer!' Satyavathi shook her head looking worried.

'Parashurama's father Jamadagni was killed by King Arjuna of the Haihaya clan! That is the reason Parashurama does not like warriors and kings! He hates all of them!' Before Satyavathi wondered what this had to do with her, Bhishma continued rapidly. 'And so Parashurama started his battle against all the warriors of the world. He killed not only King Arjuna but every single warrior in the world!' Satyavathi looked horrified as Bhishma continued. 'And soon all the kingdoms in the world were left without either the king or an heir to continue the kingdom and it was at that time that the queens of the kingdoms approached learned men....sages, rishis! It was an accepted custom for the queens to have children with sages and rishis!' Bhishma said his eyes suddenly smiling. 'That customs follows till now!' He said happily. 'So if you know of any powerful sages....they may be able to continue the Kuru line, as per your wishes!'

Bhishma looked alarmed as Satyavathi suddenly fell silent. Satyavathi's eyes had a mixture of guilt, shyness, and an emotion which Bhishma could not identify. She seemed so still that Bhishma wondered whether she had heard even a single word of what he had said. Satyavathi took in a deep breath. 'There is something I have to tell you!'

Satyavati looked at the floor probably seeking inspiration from it. 'I do not know the story of my birth, but it was said that I was found inside a fish!' Bhishma looked startled as Satyavati continued. 'I used to smell of fish continuously....that was the reason I was even called 'Matysagandhi'. The heavenly perfume from Satyavati (also called Yojanagandhi because of it) wafted towards Bhishma as he found himself listening to the story in rapt attention. 'My father as you know is the head fisherman. As I grew older I ferried people across the Yamuna in my boat!' Satyavathi took a deep breath as he continued. 'Once....the great sage Parasaran came to the banks of the Yamuna and I ferried him across...' Satyavathi said blushing slightly.

Satyavathi cleared her throat and continued the story. 'The sage fell in love with me....He created a mist which totally obscured the banks from the boat. And there in the island in the middle of the river, Sage Parasaran and me had a son!' Satyavathi said shyly. 'The son was no ordinary mortal! As I saw the son grew up before my very eyes! In a matter of minutes he crossed his childhood and reached manhood! My son was born with the knowledge of the four Vedas and he was the one who divided it into four. That was the reason he was called Veda Vyasa (Vyasa means one who divides.). He was black and was called Krishna because of that and because he was born on an island he was called as Dwaipayana.'

'Krishna Dwaipayana Veda Vyasa is your son?' Bhishma asked incredulously.

Satyavathi nodded her head with pride in her eyes. 'Yes! Veda Vyasa left for the Himalayas to meditate but he told me that if ever I needed him, all I had to do was think of him and he would appear before me!'

'After my son left, Sage Parasaran blessed me that the the smell of the fish which was always on me, would go away and I would have this perfume which could be smelled for miles around....Sage Parasaran also left after that!' Satyavathi shook her head as the memory faded. She turned her attention to Bhishma. 'So....Veda Vyasa is also Vichitraviryan's brother and he is a great sage! Do you think it would be a good idea to call him here....'

Bhishma vigorously nodded his head, part of him reeling from the story he had just heard and the other part happy that Satyavathi was not going to be after him for marrying his brother's wives.....

Chapter 8 - Shikhandi

Satyavathi sighed as she saw the glowering figure of the Kasi Princess Amba in the palace of Hastinapur.

As was the practice among the warriors, Bhishma had abducted the princesses of Kasi on the very day of their swayamvara and he had brought the three princesses of Kasi for Vichitraviryan. Ambika and Ambalika had married Vichitraviryan and were very happy with him.

Princess Amba.....however that was another matter.

Satyavati felt a little sorry for the princess. First she was spurned by Shalva, the man she loved, for the reason that Bhishma had defeated him and taken her away. Then Vichitraviryan refused to marry her saying that Amba had already chosen Shalva as her husband and he could not marry her now....

Because Bhishma had defeated Shalva, Amba was now forcing Bhishma to marry her....Well atleast trying to...Satyavathi thought sighing again. Amba had stayed in the palace of Hastinapur for the past six years and was trying to get Bhishma to marry her...Satyavathi smiled sadly. Bhishma was named that [Bhishma meant 'The firm”] because he had made a terrible promise of never to marry and Satyvati knew that nothing....absolutely nothing could change his mind. As far as Satyvati knew Bhishma had never thought of any woman and Satyvati was sure that Amba could not change Bhishma's mind.

But nowadays looking at Amba, Satyavathi was getting a little nervous. Satyavathi sensed that the six long years in Hastinapur and probably watching her two sisters happy with Vichitraviryan, had changed Amba irrevocably. Amba was now a woman who never smiled and gradually all the frustration she was feeling was becoming into hatred. Satyvathi realized with a growing uneasiness that Amba's hatred had found a target – Bhishma. Amba was blaming Bhishma for her misfortunes thinking that he was the reason she was not living like her sisters....Such things never boded well for any kingdom, Satyavathi realized. But she did not know what to do. She could not just have Amba thrown out of Hastinapur....

It was because of this that Satyavathi was stunned the next day to find Princess Amba missing from her quarters. A quick search revealed that Princess Amba was nowhere to be found. Satyavathi realized that Amba had left them. But Satyavathi was too shrewd to know that this definitely was not good. If Amba had left that meant that she was going to explore other alternatives to get what she wanted. And with two people as determined and stubborn as Amba and Bhishma, 'the alternatives' could not be simple or easy....

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Satyavathi was perfectly right in her assessment of Amba. Amba was no longer the innocent young girl whom Bhishma had brought to the kingdom of Hastinapur. She was now a woman with a mission. She was going to destroy Bhishma. It was because of him that she was now being ridiculed by everybody. It was because of him and his cursed vow that she would never know the pleasures of marriage or motherhood....The man had singlehandedly destroyed her and now Amba was going to return the favour....

Amba realized that she was not powerful or trained enough to fight and win against Bhishma and that she needed someone else. Someone else who was trained and powerful and who would be willing to fight for her. And so Amba set out. She traveled all over the kingdoms to implore the princes and the kings of the other kingdoms to fight against Bhishma for her.....But it was a task easier said than done. Everyone knew of the great Bhishma and no one......not one person was willing to stand up and fight against him.

Disgusted, Amba left for the forests. The pathetic humans are all afraid. None of them had the guts to stand up against Bhishma. The Devas were the only option I have....So she decided to turn to the Gods for help. She prayed to Lord Karthikeyan focusing all her hatred towards the penance. Lord Karthikeyan appeared before her within a surprising short time.

'Lord! I need someone to fight against that wretched Bhishma and win! I want that man dead!' Amba said with utter hatred in her heart. Lord Karthikeyan realized that Amba was so lost in her hatred that she was beyond redemption. He pulled out a garland of flowers which never withered and handed it over to her. 'Take this! Whoever wears this garland would be the one who would destroy Bhishma!'

Overjoyed Amba took the garland with her and this time asked the princes to wear the garland and fight Bhishma. But Amba should have known better. None of the princes felt confident enough to take on Bhishma even with the garland. Amba last approached the kingdom of Panchala which was ruled by King Drupad.

After King Drupad also refused to help her, Amba became thoroughly disillusioned and left the garland hanging outside his palace and went back to the forests....

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A sage from the hermitage in the forest saw the regal lady getting ready for penance. The woman was beautiful....but her eyes....they looked...the sage shivered as he studied the lady, the eyes of the woman looked dangerous to say the least.

'My Lady! Who are you? What are you doing in this forest? You look like someone who has had a royal upbringing! What are you here for?' he went to her.

The lady frowned as she looked at the sage. The sage realized that the woman's face looked like it had lost the capacity to smile 'I want a man dead!' She said so simply that the sage was shocked. 'The wretched 'brave' kings and princes do not have the guts to stand up against him...I have realized that it is useless to rely on other people so I am going to pray to the Three-eyed Lord (Lord Shiva) for a boon to destroy him!' She continued.

As the woman spoke the sage realized that the woman was not someone who could be reasoned with. The woman was beyond all that. 'Who is this man?' The sage asked inspite of himself.

'BHISHMA!' The woman snarled as the sage looked appalled at the ferocious expression of her face.

Bhishma? The Kuru Bhishma? The sage wondered. No wonder the woman had found anyone to fight against him. The man was a legend. Why there was not one person....The sage suddenly blinked as he looked at the woman. 'My Lady!' The sage stammered. 'You could ask Lord Parashurama! Sage Parashurama is in a hermitage near mine! He hates all kings and warriors and he is a brilliant warrior...Why don't you....?'

'Where is he?' Amba was on her feet, her eyes shining with hatred even before the sage finished speaking.

Mutely the sage pointed as Amba thanked him and left the place, now filled with a new purpose.

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Amba went to the hermitage of Parashurama and told him the entire story. Sage Parashurama who was in fact Bhishma's teacher, decided that Amba was right and accepted to fight for her.

Amba accompanied with Parashurama went to the gates of Hastinapur....

'Come out Bhishma!' Parashurama bellowed outside the palace. The guards outside tried to calm down the furious sage but it was of no use. Bhishma heard the commotion and he came out. Seeing his teacher he rushed forward happily but stopped short when he saw the ferocious expression on his teacher's face. That was when Bhishma spied Amba standing beside the sage.

Taking a deep breath he went towards Parashurama. 'Welcome to Hastinapur! I....'

'I am not here to enjoy your hospitality or listen to your flattering words Bhishma!' Parashurama yelled. Bhishma said nothing as he watched the sage. 'I am here as a representative of Princess Amba! You have wronged her!' Sage Parashurama narrowed his eyes and said in an icy cold manner. 'The only way you can right the wrong done to her, is by marrying her!'

Bhishma took another deep breath to calm himself. 'Gurudev! I am bound by my vow! I cannot marry....'

'TAKE YOUR WEAPONS OUT!' Parashurama shouted pulling out his weapons. 'We fight!'

And so they fought. Sage Parashuraman and Bhishma fought as Amba watched the entire scene with bated breath. The battles was one of the most evenly matched and glorious fights ever. Anything that Bhishma was able to come up, Sage Parashuraman was able to counter and Sage Parashuraman was not able to put any past Bhishma's defences.

The battle lasted for a total of 23 days and in the full time neither side yielded an inch. Finally Bhishma pulled out his deadliest weapon and aimed the arrow at Parashuraman.

For a moment the world stood still.

Sage Narada and the other sages appeared before the two of them. 'You cannot use this weapon Bhishma! Using this weapon would cause the world to end! The world cannot end right now!'

Bhishma relaxed his hands on the bow. The sages turned to Parashuraman. 'This fight would not have any result. Please give it up!'

Finally Parashuraman realized that the fight could go on indefinitely without any result. He went to Amba. 'I am sorry! I cannot fight and win against him!'

Amba looked at him with tears in her eyes, 'But...!'

Sage Parashuraman shook his head. 'He is a powerful man! Our fight would not yield any result....I will talk to Shalva and ask him to....'

Amba gave Sage Parashuraman a withering look. 'I do not want your pity!' She turned and saw the proud and haughty Bhishma for the last time and then walked away from there without a backwards glance.

Amba followed her original plan. She decided to meditate and pray to Lord Shiva with the same determined and single minded hatred that she had developed over the years.

Lord Shiva appeared before her. 'My Lord! I want to destroy Bhishma!' Amba said without any preamble.

Lord Shiva who knew Amba's purpose smiled sadly at her. 'In your next life, you would be the reason of Bhishma's death!'

Amba looked angrily at the three-eyed God but did not say anything. Once the God vanished from there she looked furiously around...Next life? I cannot wait to destroy his life! I will end my life now and here! The sooner I end this life the sooner my next life starts...

The woman was so muddled with her hatred that she did not really mind ending her life. Without a second thought Amba killed herself....

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King Drupad of Panchala had a daughter.

His daughter walked outside the palace as she watched a garland of fresh flowers which always hung outside palace. Looking at it she always felt so....odd.

One day unable to take it anymore, she pulled down garland. The minute she touched the garland, she felt dizzy. A wave of memories washed through her...Amba...Shalva....Satyavathi....her sisters....BHISHMA...All the emotions that Amba had, were fed into the girl. She looked around furiously. From that time till now, no one has had the guts to wear this. Disgusted the girl pulled it and wore the garland herself.

King Drupad who saw his daughter wear the garland was scared stiff. He knew the history of the garland. This girl would bring doom to the kingdom. By wearing the garland she had invited the wrath of Bhishma. If he attacks my kingdom, I may not be able to protect it...King Drupad decided that the only way he could protect the kingdom was to banish his daughter to the forest. Without a second though Drupad banished his daughter to the forests....

The girl roamed through the forests....That her father banished her did not bother her. The old passion and hatred was back in her eyes. How on earth can I fight with Bhishma now? How can I bring about his death....

The girl there met a yaksha. There with the blessings of the yaksha the girl was transformed into a man. The daughter now became a man – a man who wore the garland of non-withering flowers....He came to be known as Shikhandi....

Chapter 7 - Amba and Bhishma

Amba entered the Kingdom of King Shalva and happily went inside the Court of the King. She saw the king being treated for his injuries. She was about to go forward and talk to him, when his look stopped her. Shalva was looking at her with intense displeasure in his eyes. Before Amba could even understand what was going on, Shalva asked her coldly, 'What are you doing here?'

Amba looked bewildered. 'I told Bhishma that I loved you. When he heard that...' Amba smiled at how magnanimous Bhishma had been.... 'He sent a royal chariot with riches so that I could marry the man I loved....'

King Shalva looked angry and coldly at Amba, 'What makes you think I will marry you?'

Amba looked surprised and hurt and looked at King Shalva without understanding. King Shalva said haughtily, 'Bhishma took you by force from me. Do you think I will take what someone has given to me, after he had grabbed it from me...What sort of warrior do you think I am?'

Amba looked stunned and afraid. 'Shalva! What he did was without knowing that I loved you...If he knew that....he would never have....'

King Shalva looked furious. 'It does not matter to me, whether he did it knowingly or not....I lost you to him...' King Shalva said contemptuously. 'If anybody has the right to marry you, it is Bhishma...Go!' King Shalva angrily flicked his wrists. 'Go back to Bhishma and ask him to marry you! I do not wish to see your face again....'

Amba looked too stunned to speak. Numb with grief and stunned beyond words, her thoughts swirling, Amba slowly walked back to the chariot which had dropped her at Shalva's kingdom....

**********

Bhishma was waiting for the charioteer whom he had sent to drop PrincessAmba. He was a trusted charioteer and Bhishma was not worried. The thought of Princess Amba was what was worrying him....He had brought a woman without her permission. For a warrior of Bhishma's stature, that was an unforgivable crime. He knew he would not rest until he knew for a certainty that Amba was back where she belonged....

Probably deep down Bhishma felt that he had wronged Amba, or probably he had some inkling of something wrong happening, whatever the reason the normally calm Bhishma was restless. He waited for the charioteer to come...

After an agonizing wait, Bhishma's sharp ears heard the hooves of the horses entering the palace. Knowing that it could only be Amba's charioteer, Bhishma went outside the palace.

Bhishma was stunned and numb to find that not only had the charioteer returned, he had returned with Amba.

Numbly Bhishma registered the fact that Amba looked like someone had yanked the world from under her feet. She slowly staggered out of the chariot. She looked around her and saw everything and nothing. She walked as if in a trance. She focused her eyes as she saw Bhishma. She rushed forward and fell at his feet, sobbing unable to say anything.

Bhishma lifted her up and patiently waited for her to tell her everything. The princess's hands were shaking and her voice was trembling. Finally after a long time, she told Bhishma everything.

Bhishma looked aghast as Amba sobbed before him. 'I....I....' Bhishma was downcast wondering.... The suddenly his eyes brightened. 'I will speak to Vichitraviryan!'

And so Bhishma spoke to his younger brother. 'Please brother! Consider this! I brought Amba here along with her sisters Ambalika and Ambika. You have married Ambalika and Ambika. Please brother, marry Amba too!'

However for once Vichiraviryan refused to follow his elder brother. 'No brother! It is not correct!'

'But....'

Vichitraviryan raised his hands. 'Please hear me out! I know you bought Amba here for me! But she has already accepted Shalva as her husband! How can I marry her now?....I do not think it is right!'

Bhishma pleaded with his brother some more, but Vichitraviryan was firm. Finally accepting defeat Bhishma went back to Amba and told her everything that had happened.

Amba was listening to everything with listless eyes. She was no longer interested in anything....

Bhishma was pacing the floor muttering to himself when he looked at Amba again. 'Shalva! I will speak to him!'

Before Amba could even register what Bhishma had said, Bhishma was out of the palace. He called his charioteer and made preparations to go to Shalva.....

*************

'Shalva! Please listen to me!' Bhishma was in the court of a furious Shalva. 'I took the princesses of Kasi for my brother. At that time, I did not know....that Princess Amba loved you!'

Shalva huffed angrily. Bhishma bristled and then controlled himself. 'She still loves you....please accept her as your wife!'

Shalva looked coldly at Bhishma. 'I loved Amba! I fought for her, and I lost....to you! What sort of a man do you think I am? Why should I accept someone I lost. If you are so concerned about her well being,' Shalva said scathingly. 'Why don't you marry her?'

Bhishma looked coldly at Shalva. He saw the firm mouth and realized that no matter how much he asked Shalva would never change his mind. Angrily he went back to Hastinapur.

*********

Bhishma told everything that had happened to Amba. As Bhishma finished, Amba took in a deep breath and looked coldly at Bhishma and spoke with hatred. 'There is no other choice! You have to marry me now!'

Chapter 6 - Amba, Ambika and Ambalika - The Princesses of Kasi

Kasiraja, the King of Kashi was a worried man. He had three daughters Amba, Ambika and Ambalika and today was their swayamvara. [the ceremony where the girl chooses their own husband]. The intelligence and the beauty of this three daughters had spread throughout the country and he had also invited the Kings from all over.

No. That was not what was worrying him. What was eating the King's head was that he had deliberately avoided inviting the King of Hastinapur for the swayamvara. Kasiraja had his own reasons and the most important being that Hastinapur was more or less being ruled by Bhishma. And he had taken the vow of not marrying. Vichitraviryan, the actual ruler was nothing more than the paper head. Kashiraja had no intention of his daughters getting married to someone like that.....

Kashiraj looked at his ravishing daughters and wished they would hurry up....Kasiraj did not think that Bhishma would actually come to the swayamvara because he did not think that the brother would fight for his younger brother's marriage. But then who knew.... If Bhishma should suddenly come....Kasiraja was under no illusions when it came to Bhishma's fighting prowess. He knew that all the Kings and the princes together were no match for Bhishma.

His eldest daughter Amba had now come forward with the garland in her hand. Kasiraja looked with approval as she walked towards the King Shalva. As she was about to place her garland around...there was a loud commotion outside the palace.

Everybody turned to see outside....Kasiraja's worst nightmare came true when he saw a furious Bhishma thundering inside the palace. However on seeing Bhishma, the other kings and princes jeered at him. 'Oh... the great Bhishma! He is attending a swayamvara! I guess he is going to break his promise now and get married. Wonder whether we should call him Bhishma or the name he had before this....'

Bhishma did not even falter. He looked calm and looked straight at Kasiraja.'From the time the two kingdoms of Hastinapur and Kasi have been in existence, the princesses of Kasi have become the queens of Hastinapur and you...' Bhishma looked furiously at Kashiraja, 'You did not even invite the King of Hastinapur....How dare you?' Bhishma then looked at the other Kings and princes. 'These princesses will marry the King of Hastinapur and become King Vichitraviryan's queens. I am going to take them with me....I challenge you brave people...' Bhishma said sarcasm dripping in every tone, '...to stop me!'

As Bhishma went near the three princesses, the Kings and princes came forward to attack Bhishma. Bhishma countered the attack with a flick of the wrist. The kings fell back. Bhishma clutched the hands of the three princesses. Ambika and Ambalika looked thrilled at the fight. Somebody was fighting for them....

Amba was however scared and terrified. She loved King Shalva and she was about to garland him...King Shalva had fallen back when Bhishma had countered the attack...However Shalva ferociously got back and picked up his sword. Amba watched with terrified eyes as Shalva and Bhishma fought majestically in the court of Kashiraja.

Though King Shalva was seriously outmatched he did not give up. He came back again and again and again. Looking at King Shalva, the other kings also started countering Bhishma. But even together, none of them were able to significantly even slow down Bhishma. He just took the three princesses with him and was soon near his chariot.

Once on his chariot, Bhisma commanded his charioteer to drive the horses as he started using his bow and arrow. King Shalva gave a chase and fired his own arrows.

Princess Amba watched horrified as one of Bhishma's arrows pierced King Shalva and hurt him badly. King Shalva fell unconscious. His charioteer to protect the king drove him away. The other kings and princes also slowly fell back, unable to keep up with the speed of the chariot or face the sharp arrows of Bhishma.

Bhishma kept a sharp vigil out looking for the attack of the kings and the princes. If he had not been so busy, Bhishma would have possibly noted that out of three princesses, two were thrilled and happy. The third one was however angry and scared at the same. The usually observant Bhishma failed to note the eldest princess....

Bhishma entered the borders of Hastinapur without any event. The chariot stopped outside the palace of the Hastinapur. With great care and love, Bhishma helped the three princesses out of the chariot one by one. Bhishma for the first time noticed Amba....But he was not able to fully understand the reactions of the princess. He led them inside.

'My Queen!' Bhishma called as he entered the room of Satyavati. As he was about to enter he called the guards outside, 'Ask the King to come to his mother's room as soon as possible.' The guard bowed his head and walked out As Bhishma entered Satyavati's room. Satyvati came out and first saw the three princesses and then looked at the beaming Bhishma.

'The future queens of Hastinapur! The princesses of Kasi!' Satyavati's face broke into happy laugh as she saw the three ravishing princesses. She nodded to Bhishma and then looked at the three princesses. 'Come forwards, my daughters! This is your home...Please be as comfortable....'

'My Queen! I wish to talk to you please!' Princess Amba came forward and spoke in a rush. It looked as if she had been dying to say something and had found the courage to say it only now. Satyavati nodded at the eldest princess. 'Go ahead my child! What do you wish to say?'

Amba bit her lip as she looked a little fearfully at Bhishma. Satyvati saw this and came forward and held Amba by her shoulders. 'It is ok, my child! Please! Do not be afraid!'

Looking at Satyavati uncertainly, Amba said slowly, 'I...I...I love King Shalva....I was about to garland him, when...' Amba looked at Bhishma not saying anything.

Bhishma shook his head appalled when he thought of the number of times he had hurt King Shalva. 'Why didn't you say anything before?'

Amba looked at Bhishma with fear in her eyes. 'I was afraid....' She whispered.

Bhishma sighed as he shook his head. But then he realized that there was no point getting angry at Amba. He himself was not sure whether he would have paid heed to her at the time he was attacking the kings in the court of Kasiraja.

He called the guards, 'Guards! Prepare for Princess Amba to be decked in the most beautiful jewellery and a royal chariot to send her the Kingdom of King Shalva.'

Amba looked surprised and happy. Bhishma was preparing for her to be sent to Shalva with riches, befit for a princess....

Happily Amba fell at the feet of Satyavati and Bhishma and then took off, giddy and happy. She was going to marry the man she loved....