Glimpses from Mahabharata # 4 - Revenge of Amba

King Shantanu married Satyawati and led a happy life. Subsequently Satyawati gave birth to two sons; the eldest was Chitrangadh as the king. After the demise of Shantanu, Bhishma crowned Chitrangadh as the king. But the king died shortly there after. So Bhishma coronated Vichitravirya, the second son, as the king. But since the boy was still young, Bhishma ruled the land on his behalf. There was peace and prosperity everywhere. Several years passed. Vichitravirya was now a young man and was of marriageable age.

The king of Kaashi had three daughters by the names of Amba, Ambika and Ambalika, who were renowned for their beauty. A duel was arranged and the king proclaimed that he would give his daughters in marriage to the winner of this duel. Bhishma heard about this and set forth to Kaashi. He defeated all the other princes and left for Hastinapur along with the three princesses. On the way Shalvaraj challenged him to a war but Bhishma defeated him and reached Hastinapur.

Actually, Bhishma had selected these princesses as brides for Vichitravirya. but Amba wanted to marry Shalvaraj and indicated this to Bhishma. She also requested him to send her to Shalvaraj. On hearing this, Bhishma did not want to force her into an unwilling marriage with Vichitravirya. So he sent her back to Shalvaraj. But Shalvaraj was not prepared to accept her. "You can live with whoever carried you away" he scorned. He had not forgotten his humiliation at the hands of Bhishma. Amba returned to Hastinapur with a heavy heart. Bhishma felt sorry for her. By then Vichitravirya had also decided not to marry Amba. She could not bear the humiliation. So she pleaded with Bhishma to marry her. But how could he? Hadn't he taken a vow not to marry He said 'no' to her.

This infuriated Amba. She held Bhishma totally responsible for her plight. Hatred and revenge filled her thoughts. She sought the help of other kings to wage a war against Bhishma but none supported her. Her anger against Bhishma grew stronger. In desperation, She observed a very strict penance, praying to Lord Shiva. Her sole purpose was to kill Bhishma out of her own hands.

Pleased with Amba's penance, Shiva appeared before her. But the boon she wanted was against the divine spirit. "Bhishma has the blessings of all the gods and goddesses said Shiva", Hence, nobody can kill him. But all humans on this earth are bound to die sooner or later. You can kill Bhishma, But not now. You can do so in your next birth upon this earth. You will be born as daughter to Drupad, The king of Panchaal. Your wish will then be fulfilled."

Amba had only one aim in life to kill Bhishma. She was prepared to wait until even her next birth. She therefore headed straight to Dhrupad's palace and jumped into the sacrificial fire "Yagna" being conducted there. Her body was reduced to ashes.

Amba was born as Dhrupad's daughter and from the childhood she learned all the lessons of war and fights. She prepared herself as man worrier so that whenever times come she would be able to fight with Bhishma. She was called "Shikhandi" among all worriers and respected as "Maharathi"(the first degree worrier), a worrier who can command a full fledge army. She waited find the opportunity to seek vengeance on Bhishma.

Glimpses from Mahabharata # 3 - Story of Bhishma

We will continue from the story of Shantanu's eighth child (Read the story here) and continue from there.

King Shantanu was left alone as Ganga took her eighth child. Seven years later, Shantanu witnessed a young lad practicing archery by the riverside. A strong feeling attracted him towards the boy. At that moment, Ganga appeared before the king and told him, " Here is your son Devavrat; He is not an ordinary person. He will earn fame as a great man. Look after him well". She then returned to her abode.

Shantanu was immensely happy. Hugging the child His heart swelled with love and affection. He took the boy to the palace and reared him will. Devavrat grew up to be a brave and courageous boy. Shantanu had appointed a master for him. Devavrat thirsted for knowledge and excelled himself in all fields of education. As a true Kshatriya (worrier), he also perfected warfare and was hailed as the mightiest of all. Truthful and honest, he gained the respect of one and all. At the opportune time, Shantanu crowned Devavrat as the heir prince.

In the meanwhile, Shantanu had gone on a hunt and near the river saw an extremely beautiful girl. She was the daughter of Dasaraja, a fisherman. Shantanu fell in love with her and sent a messenger to her father asking her hand in marriage.

" I am prepared to have my daughter wed to the king" said Dasaraja, "But I have a condition" he added, " I want my daughter to be the queen and the child born to her as the future king. If your king doesn't agree to this, ask him to forger about marrying my daughter.

Shantanu was worried. He found this impossible to live without Satyawati, the Dasaraja daughter. But how could he marry her? For he had already crowned Devavrat as the heir to this throne. There were none to equal Devavrat for the throne. So, Shantanu decided not to accept the condition laid down by Dasaraja. But he felt very depressed abort losing Satyawati. He lost interest in the affairs of the kingdom. Even hunting and music or dance did not interest him. Only Satyawati's immense beauty haunted him.

Devavrat knew his father's state of mind. So he met Dasaraja and pleaded with him to get Satyawati married to the king. Dasaraja was adamant. " Are you prepared to give up throne for the sake of your father's happiness?" He asked.

Devavrat did not hesitate. "If it can bring happiness to my father, I do not want the throne. I am prepared to give it up. "I swear", he said. But Dasaraja was not convinced. He asked Devavrat.

"O! Devavrat, it is easy for you to say that you do not want the throne. But you will get married and have children. Later on, your children will also have children. And if they claim their right over the throne, what will be the fate of Satyavati's children?"

Devavrat agreed with Dasaraja's thinking. He felt that it was a fair question. He thought for a while and said "Respected sir, have no doubts this. I here by swear that I will be a bachelor throughout my life. I will never get married."

This decision by young Devavrat to lead his father's happiness drew appreciation from all the Suras. This vow came to be known as 'Bhishma's Vow'. Devavrat was henceforth called as Bhishma.

Devavrat returned to the palace and performed the marriage of the Satyawati to his father. In the presence of hundreds of citizens, he again proclaimed that he was giving up his rights to the throne. Highly pleased with his son's sacrifice, Shantanu embraced Bhishma and blessed him as 'Icchha Mrityoo'. "Let not death near you as long as you want it" he wished.

Bhishma has lived through the ages as a great son of India.

Glimpses from Mahabharata # 2 - Ashtavasu & Satyawati

Ashta Vasus:

Ages ago, there were eight Semi-gods known as Ashta Vasus. Once, out of sheer greed, they wanted to steal Sage Vashista's cow and the youngest of them, by name Prabhasa had stolen the cow.

Sage Vashista was enraged at this and cursed them to be born as human beings upon the earth. When the Vasus sought to be forgiven, the sage relented and laid down that the seven Vasus could live only for a few hours upon the earth but the Prabhasa was to lead his entire life upon the earth.

These Ashta-Vasus were the babies born to Ganga. The seven Vasus were thrown into the river and Prabhasa was the only survivor.

Ganga narrated this episode to Shantanu and disappeared after promising him that she would hand over Prabhasa to his care subsequently.

Satyawati:

Satyawati was originally called as "Matsyagandhi". She was the daughter of King of fisherman 'Dasaraja'. Matsyagandhi used to work on the boat to take the passengers from one side of the river to the other.

Although she was not from very high cast or royal blood but she was very beautiful. Once Sage Parashara got into her boat to cross the river, and he blessed her with his love due to which Matsyagandhi gave birth to a baby without any pain. Sage Parashara took the baby and said he will be a great saint and in very critical time he will help you, but now I have to take him with me to educate him.

He blessed Matsyagandhi that she will be the queen of a big kingdom. He also blessed her that even though she is a daughter of a fisherman she will small like a flower. Her aroma will be sensed from even 100 mile away from her. She is another important character in the roots of Mahabharata