Amba, the eldest of the three princesses of Kashi, shares a tale of love, betrayal, and a vow for vengeance, woven into the larger fabric of the Mahabharata. Her younger sisters were Ambika and Ambalika, who, along with her, were taken to Hastinapura by Bhishma. She had chosen Shalwa, the king of the Saubha kingdom, as her husband and intended to declare him publicly at her Swayamvara (self-choice ceremony). However, her fate was altered when Bhishma arrived at the Swayamvara, defeated all the attending kings, and carried off all three sisters, intending to make them brides for his half-brother Vichitraveerya.
The Swayamvara and Bhishma’s Intervention
When Bhishma arrived at the Swayamvara, he challenged the assembled kings, claiming all three princesses as brides for Vichitraveerya. Enraged, the kings who had gathered for the Swayamvara attacked him. Though Amba’s chosen love, Shalwa, fought valiantly, Bhishma’s prowess proved insurmountable. Seeing that Bhishma might kill Shalwa, Amba intervened, pleading for his life, which Bhishma granted. Her interference saved Shalwa but set in motion events that would lead to her lifelong quest for justice.
Rejection by Shalwa and Vichitraveerya
Upon reaching Hastinapura, Amba confided in Bhishma, revealing her love for Shalwa. Seeing the validity of her love and commitment, Bhishma released her, sending her to Saubha with a dowry, honoring her choice. However, when Amba approached Shalwa, he spurned her, saying he could not accept a bride who had been won by another man in battle, especially by his enemy. Heartbroken, she returned to Hastinapura, where Vichitraveerya, already apprehensive, also rejected her.
Now, abandoned by both her chosen love and the Kuru household, Amba turned to Bhishma, begging him to marry her, as he had disrupted her life. Yet, Bhishma, bound by his vow of celibacy taken to ensure his father’s happiness, refused, leading Amba to swear vengeance against him.
Quest for Vengeance and Parashurama’s Intervention
Amba, now consumed by a singular desire for vengeance, sought a warrior capable of defeating Bhishma. Yet none dared face him, for his prowess and knowledge were unmatched. At last, she approached Parashurama, Bhishma’s own teacher and a formidable warrior himself. Moved by her plight, Parashurama agreed to champion her cause and challenged Bhishma. A fierce battle ensued between the two, lasting days and drawing celestial beings as spectators, but it ended in a stalemate. Unable to secure victory, Parashurama, too, was forced to abandon Amba’s cause.
Skanda’s Garland and Drupada’s Refusal
Undeterred, Amba turned to Skanda (Kartikeya), the god of war, who granted her a divine garland, promising that whoever wore it would be able to slay Bhishma. She traveled to many courts, holding up the garland, seeking a champion, but none were willing to challenge Bhishma. Even Drupada, her kinsman, feared the wrath of the Kuru prince. Disheartened, Amba threw the garland on a tree in Drupada’s courtyard, which remained untouched, a symbol of her unfulfilled vengeance.
Amba’s Penance and Rebirth
Refusing to surrender her mission, Amba resorted to rigorous penance and prayed to Lord Shiva. Her relentless devotion bore fruit when Shiva granted her the boon that she would be the cause of Bhishma’s death—but in her next life. Impatient to fulfill her vow, Amba took her life by throwing herself into a blazing pyre, ready to be reborn to fulfill her destiny.
Amba Reborn as Shikhandi
In her next birth, Amba was reborn as Shikhandi, a prince in the royal family of Panchala. As Shikhandi, she was fated to face Bhishma on the battlefield. During the great war at Kurukshetra, Shikhandi stood against Bhishma, and because Bhishma, bound by his principles, would not attack a woman or one of ambiguous gender, Arjuna used Shikhandi as a shield to strike Bhishma. Thus, in her reborn form, Amba’s vow of vengeance was fulfilled.
| Amba’s Journey | Events and Key Figures |
|---|---|
| Betrothal to Shalwa | Chose Shalwa as her husband, disrupted by Bhishma |
| Rejection by Shalwa | Shalwa spurned her, citing his defeat by Bhishma |
| Rejection by Vichitraveerya | Refused to marry her after her return to Hastinapura |
| Vow for Revenge | Swore to see Bhishma defeated |
| Parashurama’s Challenge | Enlisted Parashurama, but the battle ended in a draw |
| Garland of Skanda | Received from Skanda; rejected by Drupada |
| Penance and Rebirth | Reborn as Shikhandi to fulfill her vow |
Amba’s story is one of transformation from a princess bound by tradition to a soul fueled by resolve, seeking justice and vengeance against the powerful Bhishma. Her reincarnation as Shikhandi marks the culmination of her journey, a testament to the cyclical themes of karma, rebirth, and dharma within Hindu mythology. Her life and rebirth underscore the lengths to which destiny and determination intertwine, showcasing the ancient belief in rebirth as a path to complete one’s unfinished journey.