When Satyavati’s eldest son, Citrangada, came to age, Bhisma coronated him as the new king of Hastinapura. However, his rule was short-lived as he was killed in a battle with tribal people by a person who happened to have the same name as him. The next successor was his younger brother, Vicitravirya.
While the political status and rule of King Vicitravirya in Hastinapura was stable, his need to appoint a successor was still in question. His mother, Satyavati, suggested finding a good wife for Vicitravirya. Bhisma suggested that the teenage princess-daughters of the King of Kashi would be the most apt choice, as traditionally, princes from the Kuru Dynasty would marry princesses from the kingdom of Kashi. In hopes of this, Bhisma and Satyavati awaited for their invitations to the svayamvara (the marriage ceremony, where the princess selects a husband from the men assembled) of the Kashi princesses.
The King of Kashi had different views. He refused to invite anyone from Hastinapura or the Kuru Dynasty, since Santanu rejected to proposal in marrying Bhisma and the king’s daughter. Bhisma, upon knowing that the king of Kashi not inviting the Kuru clan, was very angry and felt that the king insulted Hastinapura. Bhisma stormed to the kingdom of Kashi as the representative of Vicitravirya. Many guest kings present at the wedding ceremony insulted Bhisma. However, Bhisma defeated the honor of the kings assembled. Bound by the norms of the warriors duty, the king of Kashi had no other option but to have his three daughters, Amba, Ambalika, and Ambika, go with Bhisma and marry Vicitravirya. With great honor, pomp, and show, Bhisma returned the three brides to his stepmother, Satyavati, and stepbrother, Vicitravirya. Amba, before being accepted to Vicitravirya, humbly refused and described to Satyavati and Bhisma that she has fallen in love with one of the kings defeated. Bhisma, being very compassionate, sent her off with great honor to her lover. However, the lover rejected her since she was “the prize won by his opponent.” Insulted, she stormed back to Hastinapura and requested that Bhisma marry her, as her father could not reaccept her, and her lover cannot reaccept her, and the only person who can accept her is Bhisma. Bhisma, who was already bound to his word, could not accept her and kept refusing her. Angry, insulted, and tormented, she put a curse on Bhisma that somehow, she will be the cause of his death.
No comments:
Post a Comment