Reading Notes: Mahabharata Part A
The part of the first section of the Mahabharata I really enjoyed is the story of Amba. In this story, we see Bhishma in a different perspective as well as an undying love and revenge.
In the beginning of the story, it is shown that the wedding for the three sisters and Bhishma is drawing near, but Amba decides to disclose to Bhishma that she had already devoted herself to the king of the Shalwas. She was granted permission to leave, but when she arrived to the city of the shalwas, he turned her away. It is mentioned that it is unknown exactly why he did this, but there are three possibilities:
1) He was really angry and mortified that Bhishma had beat him in the battle from the previous story
2) At first his attitude was good and genuine, but gradually grew to be bitter and earnest
3) (most likely) He just isn't a good person and Amba was wrong to put her trust in him
Amba tells King Shalwa her feelings for him, but he doesn't really care in the slightest and tells her to go away. Amba finally lets it sink in that King Shalwa doesn't want to marry her anymore, and grows furious although she is heartbroken and crying her eyes out. She tells him that although he is sending her away, righteousness will be her protection because truth cannot be defeated.
Now Amba was in a horrible situation because not only was she rejected by King Shalwa, she couldn't go back to Bhishma or her childhood home, so she went to a forest-hermitage to take refuge. As time passed, her anger began to calm, but she put the blame for her situation on Bhishma, and made it her mission to defeat him. For months she fasted, her hair becoming matted and losing lots of weight. She would stand in silence and without moving for hours every day.
Finally, Shiva appeared to her, and she was so excited because she knew he would help her. Shiva told Amba that she would slay him, but Amba was scared that she wouldn't win because she was a woman. Shiva told her that she would be reborn and grow to be a great warrior and defeat Bhishma.
When Shiva left, Amba lit a fire and jumped into it, announcing that she was doing it to defeat Bhishma.
Bibliography: "Amba" PDE Epics: Mahabharata,
In the beginning of the story, it is shown that the wedding for the three sisters and Bhishma is drawing near, but Amba decides to disclose to Bhishma that she had already devoted herself to the king of the Shalwas. She was granted permission to leave, but when she arrived to the city of the shalwas, he turned her away. It is mentioned that it is unknown exactly why he did this, but there are three possibilities:
1) He was really angry and mortified that Bhishma had beat him in the battle from the previous story
2) At first his attitude was good and genuine, but gradually grew to be bitter and earnest
3) (most likely) He just isn't a good person and Amba was wrong to put her trust in him
Amba tells King Shalwa her feelings for him, but he doesn't really care in the slightest and tells her to go away. Amba finally lets it sink in that King Shalwa doesn't want to marry her anymore, and grows furious although she is heartbroken and crying her eyes out. She tells him that although he is sending her away, righteousness will be her protection because truth cannot be defeated.
Now Amba was in a horrible situation because not only was she rejected by King Shalwa, she couldn't go back to Bhishma or her childhood home, so she went to a forest-hermitage to take refuge. As time passed, her anger began to calm, but she put the blame for her situation on Bhishma, and made it her mission to defeat him. For months she fasted, her hair becoming matted and losing lots of weight. She would stand in silence and without moving for hours every day.
Finally, Shiva appeared to her, and she was so excited because she knew he would help her. Shiva told Amba that she would slay him, but Amba was scared that she wouldn't win because she was a woman. Shiva told her that she would be reborn and grow to be a great warrior and defeat Bhishma.
When Shiva left, Amba lit a fire and jumped into it, announcing that she was doing it to defeat Bhishma.
Bibliography: "Amba" PDE Epics: Mahabharata,
Amba: Wikicommons
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