Mahabharata – 163

by

Sankar Mukherjee

and

Dr Ramesh Chandra Mukhopadhyaya
                       Aadivamsavatarana Parva

Marriage of Vichitravirya & his death

Conversant with the doctrine of virtue, the son of Santanu, Bhisma having achieved an extraordinary feat by defeating countless kings all alone began to make preparations for his brother's wedding in consultation with his step mother Satyavati.And when everything about the wedding had been settled  the eldest daughter of the king of Kasi, with a soft smile, told him -- In the past at heart I have chosen  the king  Salva as my husband. He also accepted me as his wife. This was also approved by my father At the Swyamvara.

Knowing all this, do as you like as you are conversant with all the doctrines of virtue.

Thus addressed by that maiden in the presence of the Brahmanas, the great Bhisma thought to himself as to what should be done. But he consulted with the  Brahmanas the master of  the Vedas, and allowed Amba, the eldest daughter of the ruler of Kasi to go to the king Salva.

But he bestowed with due rites the two other daughters of Kasi raja, Ambika and Ambalika on his younger brother Vichitravirya. Vichitravirya was pious and self disciplined. But being  proud of youth and beauty, he soon became lustful after his marriage. And both Ambika and Ambalika were of  beautiful  complexion.Their heads were covered with black curly hair, and their finger-nails were high and red.Their hips were fat and round, and their breasts were full and deep.They were bedecked with every auspicious mark. The amiable young ladies considered themselves very lucky having a husband like Vichitravirya. They loved and respected Vichitravirya. And Vichitravirya of great prowess & celestial beauty like  the twin Aswins, stole the heart of the beautiful women.

And the prince passed seven years in the company of his wives. He was then attacked with tuberculosis while in his prime of youth because of his extravagant married life. Friends and relatives tried to cure him. But in spite of all their efforts, the Kuru prince died, like the setting sun. The righteous Bhisma then jumped into deep anxiety and grief.In consultation with the priests & the chief of the Kurus & the mother Satyavati he performed the burial rites of the deceased king Vichitravirya.