Shloka 11
अम्बोपाख्याने तापसानां विचारः तथा होत्रवाहनस्य उपदेशः
Ambā among ascetics; Hotravāhana directs her to Paraśurāma
नास्मि प्रीतिमती नीता भीष्मेणामित्रकर्शन । बलान्नीतास्मि रुदती विद्राव्य पृथिवीपतीन्
nāsmī prītimatī nītā bhīṣmeṇāmitrakarśana | balān nītāsmī rudatī vidrāvya pṛthivīpatīn ||
安芭对王宣言道：“灭敌者啊，我并非自愿随毗湿摩而去。他击退在场诸王之后，强行掳走了我；我只是含泪随行。”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights an ethical distinction crucial to dharma: an action outwardly framed as a kṣatriya feat (defeating kings and taking a bride) becomes morally contested when the woman’s consent is absent. Amba’s testimony establishes coercion and thus grounds her claim for justice and restitution.
Amba states that Bhīṣma did not take her with her willing agreement. She recounts that he routed the assembled kings and abducted her by force, and that she went with him while crying—an assertion that drives the ensuing dispute about responsibility, marriage-right, and redress.