Shloka 15
अम्बोपाख्याने तापसानां विचारः तथा होत्रवाहनस्य उपदेशः
Ambā among ascetics; Hotravāhana directs her to Paraśurāma
भगिन्यौ मम ये नीते अम्बिकाम्बालिके नृप । प्रादाद् विचित्रवीर्याय गाड़ेयो हि यवीयसे,“नरेश्वर! भीष्म जिन मेरी दो बहिनों--अम्बिका और अम्बालिकाको हरकर ले गये थे, उन्हें उन्होंने अपने छोटे भाई विचित्रवीर्यको ब्याह दिया है
bhaginyau mama ye nīte ambikāmbālike nṛpa | prādād vicitravīryāya gāḍeyo hi yavīyase ||
Bhishma said: “O king, the two sisters of mine—Ambikā and Ambālikā—whom I had brought away, were then given in marriage to my younger brother, Vicitravīrya.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dynastic responsibility and the ethical tension between political necessity and personal agency: marriages are arranged to secure succession and stability, framed as a kṣatriya’s duty, even when the means (bringing the brides) can raise moral questions.
Bhishma recounts a past event: after bringing Ambikā and Ambālikā, they were married to his younger brother Vicitravīrya, establishing the marital link central to the Kuru lineage and later succession issues.