आनयामास काश्यस्य सुताः सागरगासुतः। स्नुषा इव स धर्मात्मा भगिनीरिव चानुजाः
The son of the ocean-going king brought the daughters of the king of Kashi as daughters-in-law, and as sisters for his younger brother, with righteousness.
यथा दुहितश्चैव परिगृह्य ययौ कुरून्। आनिन्ये स महाबाहुर्भ्रातुः प्रियचिकीर्षया
Having accepted them as his own daughters, he went to the Kurus; that mighty-armed one brought them out of love for his brother.
ताः सर्वगुणसंपन्ना भ्राता भ्रात्रे यवीयसे। भीष्मो विचित्रवीर्याय प्रददौ विक्रमाहृताः
All those maidens, endowed with every virtue, Bhishma gave to his younger brother Vicitravirya, having won them by his prowess.
एवं धर्मेण धर्मज्ञः कृत्वा कर्मातिमानुषम्। भ्रातुर्विचित्रवीर्यस्य विवाहायोपचक्रमे
Thus, knowing righteousness, Bhishma performed a deed beyond human power, and began preparations for his brother Vicitravirya's marriage.
सत्यवत्या सह मिथः कृत्वा निश्चयमात्मवान्। विवाहं कारयिष्यन्तं भीष्मं काशिपतेः सुता। ज्येष्ठा तासामिदं वाक्यमब्रवीद्धसती तदा
Having made a firm decision together with Satyavati, Bhishma, self-controlled, was arranging the marriage of the Kashi king's daughters, when the eldest of them, steadfast in truth, spoke these words.
मया सौभपतिः पूर्वं मनसा हि वृतः पतिः। तेन चास्मि वृता पूर्वमेष कामश्च मे पितुः
The lord of Saubha was previously chosen by me in my heart as my husband; and I was also chosen by him before—this is also my father's wish.
मया वरयितव्योऽभूत्साल्वस्तस्मिन्स्वयंवरे। एतद्विज्ञाय धर्मज्ञ धर्मतत्त्वं समाचर
Salva was to be chosen by me at that svayamvara; knowing this, O knower of righteousness, act according to the true principle of dharma.
एवमुक्तस्तया भीष्मः कन्यया विप्रसंसदि। चिन्तामभ्यगमद्वीरो युक्तां तस्यैव कर्मणः
Thus addressed by the maiden in the assembly of Brahmins, Bhishma, the hero, entered into deep and fitting thought concerning his own deed.
अन्यसक्ता त्वियं कन्या ज्येष्ठा त्वम्बा मया जिता। वाचा दत्ता मनोदत्ता कृतमङ्गलवाचना
This maiden is attached to another; the eldest, Amba, was won by me, given by word, given by mind, and auspicious words were spoken.
निर्दिष्टा तु परस्यैव सा त्याज्या परचिन्तिनी। इत्युक्त्वा चानुमान्यैव भ्रातरं स्ववशानुगम्
But since she was designated for another, she must be relinquished, for her thoughts are with another; having said this and obtained his brother's consent, he acted according to his own will.
विनिश्चित्य स धर्मज्ञो ब्राह्मणैर्वेदपारगैः। अनुजज्ञे तदा ज्येष्ठामम्बां काशिपतेः सुताम्
Having carefully considered, he who knows righteousness, together with Brahmins accomplished in the Vedas, then consented to the eldest daughter of the King of Kashi.
अम्बिकाम्बालिके भार्ये प्रादाद्भ्रात्रे यवीयसे। भीष्मो विचित्रवीर्याय विधिदृष्टेन कर्मणा
Bhishma gave Ambika and Ambalika, as wives, to his younger brother Vichitravirya, performing the act as prescribed by law.
तयोः पाणी गृहीत्वा तु रूपयौवनदर्पितः। विचित्रवीर्यो धर्मात्मा नाम्बामैच्छत्कथंचन
Vichitravirya, filled with pride in his beauty and youth, took the hands of the two, but though righteous, he did not desire Amba in any way.
पापस्य फलमेवैष कामोऽसाधुर्निरर्थकः। परतन्त्रोपभोगो मामार्य नाऽऽयोक्तुमर्हसि
This is only the fruit of sin; desire that is improper is futile. Enjoyment under another's control, noble one, you ought not to urge upon me.
प्रातिष्ठच्छान्तनोर्वंशस्तात यस्य त्वमन्वयः। अकामवृत्तो धर्मात्मन्साधु मन्ये मतं तव
The line of Shantanu, whose descendant you are, continues, father. Acting without desire, righteous one, I consider your view to be good.
इत्युक्त्वाम्बां समालोक्य विधिवद्वाक्यमब्रवीत्। विसृष्टा ह्यसि गच्छ त्वं यथाकाममनिन्दिते
Having spoken thus, he looked at Amba and addressed her with words in accordance with law: 'You are released; go, blameless one, wherever you wish.'
नानियोज्ये समर्थोऽहं नियोक्तुं भ्रातरं प्रियम्। अन्यबावगतां चापि को नारीं वासयेद्गृहे
I am not able to command my dear brother against his will, nor would anyone keep in his house a woman who desires another.
अतस्त्वां न नियोक्ष्यामि अन्यकामासि गम्यताम्। अहमप्यूर्ध्वरेता वै निवृत्तो दारकर्मणि
Therefore, I will not appoint you; you desire another—go. I too am one who has taken the vow of celibacy, withdrawn from the duties of marriage.
इत्युक्ता सा गता तत्र सखीभिः परिवारिता
Thus addressed, she departed from there, surrounded by her companions.
निर्दिष्टा हि शनै राजन्साल्वराजपुरं प्रति। अथाम्बा साल्वंमागम्य साऽब्रवीत्प्रतिपूज्य तं
Directed thus, O King, she slowly made her way toward the city of the King of Salva. Then Amba, having reached Salva, honored him and spoke.
पुरा निर्दिष्टभावा त्वामागतास्मि वरानन। देवव्रतं समुत्सृज्य सानुजं भरतर्षभम्
Once chosen for you, I have come, O noble-faced one, abandoning Devavrata and his younger brother, the bull among the Bharatas.
प्रतिगृह्णीष्व भद्रं ते विधिवन्मां समुद्यताम्
Accept me, may good be yours, as I come to you in accordance with law.
तयैवमुक्तः साल्वोपि प्रहसन्निदमब्रवीत्। निर्जिताऽसीह भीष्मेण मां विनिर्जित्य राजसु
Thus addressed, Salva laughed and said: 'Here, you were conquered by Bhishma, who defeated me among the kings.'
अन्येन निर्जितां भद्रे विसृष्टां तेन चालयात्। न गृह्णामि वरारोहे तत्र चैव तु गम्यताम्
O beautiful one, conquered by another and released by him, I do not accept you; therefore, go there.
इत्युक्ता सा समागम्य कुरुराज्यमनुत्तमम्। अम्बाब्रवीत्ततो भीष्मं त्वयाऽहं सहसा हृता
Thus addressed, she returned to the unrivaled kingdom of the Kurus. Then Amba said to Bhishma: 'I was seized by you by force.'
क्षत्रधर्ममवेक्षस्व त्वं भर्ता मम धर्मतः। यां यः स्वयंवरे कन्यां निर्जयेच्छौर्यसंपदा
Consider the duty of a kshatriya: by law, you are my husband. Whichever man wins a maiden at her svayamvara by his valor—
राज्ञः सर्वान्विनिर्जित्य स तामुद्वाहयेद्ध्रुवम्। अतस्त्वमेव भर्ता मे त्वयाऽहं निर्जिता यतः
Having defeated all the kings, he must certainly marry her. Therefore, you alone are my husband, for I was conquered by you.
तस्माद्वहस्व मां भीष्म निर्जितां संसदि त्वया। ऊर्ध्वरेता ह्यहमिति प्रत्युवाच पुनःपुनः
Therefore, Bhishma, marry me, whom you have conquered in the assembly. 'I am vowed to celibacy,' he replied again and again.
भीष्मं सा चाब्रवीदम्बा यथाजैषीस्तथा कुरु। एवमन्वगमद्भीष्मं षट्समाः पुष्करेक्षणा
Amba spoke to Bhishma, 'Do as you have promised.' Thus, Bhishma was followed by the lotus-eyed woman for six years.
ऊर्ध्वरेतास्त्वहं भद्रे विवाहविमुखोऽभवम्। तमेव साल्वं गच्छ त्वं यः पुरा मनसा वृतः
I have become one who maintains celibacy, O gentle lady, and have turned away from marriage. Go to Salva, whom you had previously chosen in your heart.