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
bhaginyau mama ye nīte ambikāmbālike nṛpa | prādād vicitravīryāya gāḍeyo hi yavīyase ||
Bhishma nói: “Tâu đức vua, hai chị em của ta—Ambikā và Ambālikā—những người mà ta đã đưa về, sau đó đã được gả cho em trai ta là 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.