Shloka 44
Amba approaches the Paraśurāma context; Hotravāhana’s counsel and Akṛtavraṇa’s report (अम्बोपाख्यानम्—रामदर्शनप्रसङ्गः)
होत्रवाहन उवाच दौहित्रीयं मम विभो काशिराजसुता प्रिया । ज्येष्ठा स्वयंवरे तस्थौ भगिनी भ्यां सहानघ,होत्रवाहन बोले--प्रभो! यह मेरी दौहित्री (पुत्रीकी पुत्री) है। अनघ! काशिराजकी परमप्रिय ज्येष्ठ पुत्री अपनी दो छोटी बहिनोंके साथ स्वयंवरमें उपस्थित हुई थी। उनमेंसे यही अम्बा नामसे विख्यात काशिराजकी ज्येष्ठ पुत्री है। तपोधन! इसकी दोनों छोटी बहिनें अम्बिका और अम्बालिका कहलाती हैं
hotravāhana uvāca
dauhitrīyaṁ mama vibho kāśirājasutā priyā |
jyeṣṭhā svayaṁvare tasthau bhaginībhyāṁ sahānagha ||
Sinabi ni Hotravāhana: “O makapangyarihan, ito ang aking apo, ang minamahal na anak na babae ng Hari ng Kāśī. O walang sala, ang panganay na prinsesa ay tumindig sa kanyang svayaṃvara kasama ang dalawa niyang kapatid na babae. Siya’y tanyag sa pangalang Ambā; at ang dalawa niyang nakababatang kapatid ay tinatawag na Ambikā at Ambālikā.”
होत्रवाहन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds lineage and social duty: identity is presented through family relations (granddaughter, princess of Kāśī) and through the institution of svayaṁvara, reflecting how dharma and honor were negotiated in royal marriage customs.
Hotravāhana introduces the three princesses of Kāśī at the svayaṁvara, identifying the eldest as Ambā and naming her two younger sisters as Ambikā and Ambālikā, thereby setting the context for the ensuing events involving their marriage fate.