Royal marriage in ancient India was of two types. The ordinary type was by Swayamvara or Self-choice. The suitor princess would assemble and display their talents and gallantry. The bride princess would garland that prince whom she chooses as her groom. The extra ordinary type was more in hearsay than in practice.
According to it the suitor would snatch away the bride princess putting down all the rival suitors. The king of Kasi had three daughters. Amba, Ambika and Ambalika to be given away in marriage. The usual Swayamvara was arranged for. Many princes had come to exhibit their prowess. Bheeshma’s presence there was viewed with askance.
He was a peerless warrior no doubt. But he was rather advanced in age and avowed celibate to boot. What was the need for him to make his appearance there? Bheeshma proclaimed “You kings I carry these three maidens away by force. They will be married to my brother Vichitravirya, the kuru king. Those who dare to oppose may give me fight”.
The aggressive Bheeshma scared them all away and conveyed the prizes with ease to Hastinapura, his capital. Amba the eldest sister was married to Salva, the king of Saubala. The other sisters Ambika and Ambalika were married to Vichitravirya who was not destined to live long. Extinction of the family was the greatest of all misfortunes that could befall a kingly race. That danger threatened the line of Santanu.
