Shloka 13
अम्बा-शाल्वसंवादः | Amba’s Appeal to Śālva and His Refusal
ततोऊहं तान् नृपान् सर्वानाहूय समरे स्थितान् । रथमारोपयांचक्रे कन्यास्ता भरतर्षभ,भरतश्रेष्ठ! तदनन्तर मैंने युद्धके लिये खड़े हुए उन समस्त राजाओंको ललकारकर उन तीनों कन््याओंको अपने रथपर बैठा लिया
tato 'haṃ tān nṛpān sarvān āhūya samare sthitān | ratham āropayāṃ cakre kanyās tā bharatarṣabha ||
Wahai banteng di antara Bharata! Lalu kutantang semua raja yang berdiri siap berperang, dan kutempatkan ketiga gadis itu di atas keretaku.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya ideal of decisive action and fearlessness in upholding perceived dynastic duty, while also exposing an ethical tension: securing a marital alliance through force can be framed as valor yet risks violating consent and provoking wider conflict.
Bhīṣma recounts that he openly challenged the assembled kings who were prepared to fight and then placed the (three) maidens onto his chariot, indicating a forceful taking amid a battlefield confrontation.