Chapter 7: Śantanu’s sons; Citrāṅgada’s death, Vicitravīrya’s accession, Bhīṣma’s seizure of the Kāśī princesses, Ambā’s release, and Vicitravīrya’s death.

Śantanu marries Satyavatī, and Citrāṅgada and Vicitravīrya are born.

vaiśampāyana uvāca॥

Vaiśampāyana said:

[PV-KDV:01_013_1] (Bharata)

tatō vivāhē nirvr̥ttē sa rājā śantanurnr̥paḥ। tāṁ kanyāṁ rūpasampannāṁ svagr̥hē saṁnyavēśayat ॥BORI: 1-095-1॥

Then, when the marriage had been solemnized, King Shantanu installed the beautiful maiden in his own household. (BORI: 1-095-1)

[PV-KDV:01_013_2] (Bharata)

tataḥ śāntanavō dhīmānsatyavatyāmajāyata। vīraścitrāṅgadō nāma vīryēṇa manujānati ॥BORI: 1-095-2॥

Then Shantanu’s wise and heroic son, named Chitrangada, was born to Satyavati; in valor he surpassed other men. (BORI: 1-095-2)

[PV-KDV:01_013_3] (Bharata)

athāparaṁ mahēṣvāsaṁ satyavatyāṁ punaḥ prabhuḥ। vicitravīryaṁ rājānaṁ janayāmāsa vīryavān ॥BORI: 1-095-3॥

Then the valiant lord fathered another mighty archer by Satyavati: King Vichitravirya. (BORI: 1-095-3)

[PV-KDV:01_013_4] (Bharata)

Śantanu dies; Bhīṣma installs Citrāṅgada as king, who is later slain by the same-named Gandharva.

aprāptavati tasmiṁśca yauvanaṁ bharatarṣabha। sa rājā śantanurdhīmānkāladharmamupēyivān ॥BORI: 1-095-4॥

Before he had reached manhood, O bull of the Bharatas, the wise King Shantanu succumbed to the law of time. (BORI: 1-095-4)

[PV-KDV:01_013_5] (Bharata)

svargatē śantanau bhīṣmaścitrāṅgadamariṁdamam। sthāpayāmāsa vai rājyē satyavatyā matē sthitaḥ ॥BORI: 1-095-5॥

After Shantanu had gone to heaven, Bhishma, acting in accordance with Satyavati’s wishes, installed the foe-subduing Chitrangada as king. (BORI: 1-095-5)

[PV-KDV:01_013_6] (Bharata)

sa tu citrāṅgadaḥ śauryātsarvāṁścikṣēpa pārthivān। manuṣyaṁ na hi mēnē sa kañcitsadr̥śamātmanaḥ ॥BORI: 1-095-6॥

But Chitrangada, in his valor, disparaged all the kings, for he considered no human being his equal. (BORI: 1-095-6)

[PV-KDV:01_013_7] (Bharata)

tvaṁ vai sadr̥śanāmāsi yuddhaṁ dēhi nr̥pātmaja । nāma vā’nyatpragr̥hṇīṣva yadi yuddhaṁ na dāsyasi ॥KUMB: 1-108-9॥

You are indeed worthy of your name. Give me battle, prince—or take another name if you will not fight. (KUMB: 1-108-9)

[PV-KDV:01_013_8] (Bharata)

tvayāhaṁ yuddhamicchāmi tvatsakāśaṁ tu nāmataḥ । āgatōsmi vr̥thā’’bhāṣya na gacchēnnāma tē mama ॥KUMB: 1-108-10॥

I wish to fight you. I have come before you because of your name; now that I have challenged you, let your name not prove empty for me. (KUMB: 1-108-10)

[PV-KDV:01_013_9] (Bharata)

ityuktvā garjamānau tau hiraṇvatyāstaṭaṁ gatau ॥KUMB: 1-108-11॥

Having spoken thus, the two went roaring to the bank of the Hiranvati. (KUMB: 1-108-11)

[PV-KDV:01_013_10] (Bharata)

taṁ kṣipantaṁ surāṁścaiva manuṣyānasurāṁstathā। gandharvarājō balavāṁstulyanāmābhyayāttadā। tēnāsya sumahadyuddhaṁ kurukṣētrē babhūva ha ॥BORI: 1-095-7॥

Then the mighty Gandharva king who bore the same name came against him as he scorned gods, men, and asuras alike. A very great battle took place between them at Kurukshetra. (BORI: 1-095-7)

[PV-KDV:01_013_11] (Bharata)

tayōrbalavatōstatra gandharvakurumukhyayōḥ। nadyāstīrē hiraṇvatyāḥ samāstisrō’bhavadraṇaḥ ॥BORI: 1-095-8॥

There, on the bank of the Hiranvati River, the battle between the two mighty chiefs—the Gandharva and the Kuru—lasted for three years. (BORI: 1-095-8)

[PV-KDV:01_013_12] (Bharata)

tasminvimardē tumulē śastravr̥ṣṭisamākulē। māyādhikō’vadhīdvīraṁ gandharvaḥ kurusattamam ॥BORI: 1-095-9॥

In that fierce clash, filled with showers of weapons, the Gandharva, superior in magical powers, slew the heroic foremost of the Kurus. (BORI: 1-095-9)

[PV-KDV:01_013_13] (Bharata)

citrāṅgadaṁ kuruśrēṣṭhaṁ vicitraśarakārmukam। antāya kr̥tvā gandharvō divamācakramē tataḥ ॥BORI: 1-095-10॥

After slaying Chitrangada, the foremost of the Kurus, who bore splendid arrows and bow, the Gandharva then ascended to heaven. (BORI: 1-095-10)

[PV-KDV:01_013_14] (Bharata)

Bhīṣma installs the young Vicitravīrya as king and governs under his name.

tasminnr̥patiśārdūlē nihatē bhūrivarcasi। bhīṣmaḥ śāntanavō rājanprētakāryāṇyakārayat ॥BORI: 1-095-11॥

When that illustrious tiger among kings had been slain, Bhishma, son of Shantanu, had the funeral rites performed, O king. (BORI: 1-095-11)

[PV-KDV:01_013_15] (Bharata)

vicitravīryaṁ ca tadā bālamaprāptayauvanam। kururājyē mahābāhurabhyaṣiñcadanantaram ॥BORI: 1-095-12॥

Then the mighty-armed Bhishma immediately installed Vichitravirya, still a boy who had not yet reached manhood, as king of the Kurus. (BORI: 1-095-12)

[PV-KDV:01_013_16] (Bharata)

vicitravīryastu tadā bhīṣmasya vacanē sthitaḥ। anvaśāsanmahārāja pitr̥paitāmahaṁ padam ॥BORI: 1-095-13॥

Vichitravirya then abided by Bhishma’s counsel and ruled the ancestral kingdom, O great king. (BORI: 1-095-13)

[PV-KDV:01_013_17] (Bharata)

sa dharmaśāstrakuśalō bhīṣmaṁ śāntanavaṁ nr̥paḥ। pūjayāmāsa dharmēṇa sa cainaṁ pratyapālayat ॥BORI: 1-095-14॥

The king, well versed in the law, duly honored Bhishma, son of Shantanu, and Bhishma in turn protected him. (BORI: 1-095-14)

[PV-KDV:01_013_18] (Bharata)

To arrange Vicitravīrya’s marriage, Bhīṣma travels to Kāśī with Satyavatī’s assent and selects the three princesses at their svayaṃvara.

vaiśampāyana uvāca॥

Vaiśampāyana said:

[PV-KDV:01_013_20] (Bharata)

hatē citrāṅgadē bhīṣmō bālē bhrātari cānagha । pālayāmāsa tadrājyaṁ satyavatyā matē sthitaḥ ॥BORI: 1-096-1॥

After Citrangada was slain, while his brother was still a child, O sinless one, Bhishma governed that kingdom in accordance with Satyavati’s wishes. (BORI: 1-096-1)

[PV-KDV:01_013_21] (Bharata)

samprāptayauvanaṁ paśyanbhrātaraṁ dhīmatāṁ varam । bhīṣmō vicitravīryasya vivāhāyākarōnmatim ॥BORI: 1-096-2॥

Seeing that his brother Vichitravirya, foremost of the wise, had reached manhood, Bhishma resolved to arrange his marriage. (BORI: 1-096-2)

[PV-KDV:01_013_22] (Bharata)

atha kāśipatērbhīṣmaḥ kanyāstisrō’psaraḥsamāḥ । śuśrāva sahitā rājanvr̥ṇvatīrvai svayaṁ varam ॥BORI: 1-096-3॥

Then, O king, Bhishma heard that the king of Kashi’s three daughters, who were like celestial nymphs, were together choosing a bridegroom for themselves. (BORI: 1-096-3)

[PV-KDV:01_013_23] (Bharata)

tataḥ sa rathināṁ śrēṣṭhō rathēnaikēna varmabhr̥t । jagāmānumatē mātuḥ purīṁ vārāṇasīṁ prati ॥BORI: 1-096-4॥

Then, with his mother’s consent, that foremost of chariot warriors, clad in armor, set out alone in his chariot for the city of Varanasi. (BORI: 1-096-4)

[PV-KDV:01_013_24] (Bharata)

tatra rājñaḥ samuditānsarvataḥ samupāgatān । dadarśa kanyāstāścaiva bhīṣmaḥ śantanunandanaḥ ॥BORI: 1-096-5॥

There Bhishma, Shantanu’s son, saw the assembled kings who had come from every side, as well as those maidens. (BORI: 1-096-5)

[PV-KDV:01_013_25] (Bharata)

kīrtyamānēṣu rājñāṁ tu nāmasvatha sahasraśaḥ । bhīṣmaḥ svayaṁ tadā rājanvarayāmāsa tāḥ prabhuḥ ॥BORI: 1-096-6॥

As the kings’ names were being proclaimed by the thousand, the mighty Bhishma himself chose those maidens, O king. (BORI: 1-096-6)

[PV-KDV:01_013_26] (Bharata)

Bhīṣma places the princesses on his chariot, justifies martial seizure as the best form of marriage, and openly challenges the assembled rulers.

uvāca ca mahīpālānrājañjaladaniḥsvanaḥ । rathamārōpya tāḥ kanyā bhīṣmaḥ praharatāṁ varaḥ ॥BORI: 1-096-7॥

Having placed the maidens on his chariot, Bhishma, the best of warriors, addressed the kings in a voice like a thundercloud, O king: (BORI: 1-096-7)

[PV-KDV:01_013_27] (Bharata)

āhūya dānaṁ kanyānāṁ guṇavadbhyaḥ smr̥taṁ budhaiḥ । alaṅkr̥tya yathāśakti pradāya ca dhanānyapi ॥BORI: 1-096-8॥

The wise have prescribed that daughters be given to worthy men after inviting them, adorning the girls according to one’s means, and also bestowing wealth. (BORI: 1-096-8)

[PV-KDV:01_013_28] (Bharata)

prayacchantyaparē kanyāṁ mithunēna gavāmapi । vittēna kathitēnānyē balēnānyē’numānya ca ॥BORI: 1-096-9॥

Some give a maiden away in exchange for a pair of cattle; others obtain one for an agreed payment, others by force, and still others after securing her consent. (BORI: 1-096-9)

[PV-KDV:01_013_29] (Bharata)

pramattāmupayāntyanyē svayamanyē ca vindatē । aṣṭamaṁ tamathō vitta vivāhaṁ kavibhiḥ smr̥tam ॥BORI: 1-096-10॥

Some take an unsuspecting woman, while in another form she finds a husband herself. Know that marriage as the eighth, as remembered by the sages. (BORI: 1-096-10)

[PV-KDV:01_013_30] (Bharata)

svayaṁvaraṁ tu rājanyāḥ praśaṁsantyupayānti ca । pramathya tu hr̥tāmāhurjyāyasīṁ dharmavādinaḥ ॥BORI: 1-096-11॥

Kshatriyas praise the svayamvara and marry by that rite; but authorities on dharma say that a bride carried off by force is the better choice. (BORI: 1-096-11)

[PV-KDV:01_013_31] (Bharata)

tā imāḥ pr̥thivīpālā jihīrṣāmi balāditaḥ । tē yatadhvaṁ paraṁ śaktyā vijayāyētarāya vā । sthitō’haṁ pr̥thivīpālā yuddhāya kr̥taniścayaḥ ॥BORI: 1-096-12॥

I intend to carry these maidens off from here by force, rulers of the earth. Exert yourselves to the utmost of your power, whether for victory or defeat. I stand ready for battle, rulers of the earth, resolute in my purpose. (BORI: 1-096-12)

[PV-KDV:01_013_32] (Bharata)

ēvamuktvā mahīpālānkāśirājaṁ ca vīryavān । sarvāḥ kanyāḥ sa kauravyō rathamārōpayatsvakam । āmantrya ca sa tānprāyācchīghraṁ kanyāḥ pragr̥hya tāḥ ॥BORI: 1-096-13॥

Having thus addressed the kings and the king of Kashi, the valiant Kaurava placed all the maidens on his own chariot. Then, after taking leave of them, he swiftly departed, taking the maidens with him. (BORI: 1-096-13)

[PV-KDV:01_013_33] (Bharata)

tatastē pārthivāḥ sarvē samutpēturamarṣitāḥ । saṁspr̥śantaḥ svakānbāhūndaśantō daśanacchadān ॥BORI: 1-096-14॥

Then all those enraged kings sprang up, slapping their arms and biting their lips. (BORI: 1-096-14)

[PV-KDV:01_013_34] (Bharata)

tēṣāmābharaṇānyāśu tvaritānāṁ vimuñcatām । āmuñcatāṁ ca varmāṇi sambhramaḥ sumahānabhūt ॥BORI: 1-096-15॥

As they hurriedly removed their ornaments and donned their armor, tremendous commotion arose. (BORI: 1-096-15)

[PV-KDV:01_013_35] (Bharata)

tārāṇāmiva sampātō babhūva janamējaya । bhūṣaṇānāṁ ca śubhrāṇāṁ kavacānāṁ ca sarvaśaḥ ॥BORI: 1-096-16॥

O Janamejaya, the bright ornaments and armor scattered everywhere like falling stars. (BORI: 1-096-16)

[PV-KDV:01_013_36] (Bharata)

savarmabhirbhūṣaṇaistē drāgbhrājadbhiritastataḥ । sakrōdhāmarṣajihmabhrūsakaṣāyadr̥śastathā ॥BORI: 1-096-17॥

They, their armor and ornaments suddenly gleaming here and there, their brows furrowed with anger and indignation and their eyes bloodshot… (BORI: 1-096-17)

[PV-KDV:01_013_37] (Bharata)

sūtōpakl̥ptānrucirānsadaśvōdyatadhūrgatān । rathānāsthāya tē vīrāḥ sarvapraharaṇānvitāḥ । prayāntamēkaṁ kauravyamanusasrurudāyudhāḥ ॥BORI: 1-096-18॥

Those warriors mounted splendid chariots prepared by their charioteers and harnessed to excellent horses. Equipped with every kind of weapon and with weapons raised, they followed the lone Kaurava as he departed. (BORI: 1-096-18)

[PV-KDV:01_013_38] (Bharata)

Bhīṣma defeats the assembled kings and continues toward the Kurus with the princesses.

tataḥ samabhavadyuddhaṁ tēṣāṁ tasya ca bhārata । ēkasya ca bahūnāṁ ca tumulaṁ lōmaharṣaṇam ॥BORI: 1-096-19॥

Then, descendant of Bharata, a fierce and hair-raising battle arose between him alone and the many of them. (BORI: 1-096-19)

[PV-KDV:01_013_39] (Bharata)

tē tviṣūndaśasāhasrāṁstasmai yugapadākṣipan । aprāptāṁścaiva tānāśu bhīṣmaḥ sarvāṁstadācchinat ॥BORI: 1-096-20॥

They hurled ten thousand arrows at him all at once, but before they could reach him, Bhishma swiftly cut them all down. (BORI: 1-096-20)

[PV-KDV:01_013_40] (Bharata)

tatastē pārthivāḥ sarvē sarvataḥ parivārayan । vavarṣuḥ śaravarṣēṇa varṣēṇēvādrimambudāḥ ॥BORI: 1-096-21॥

Then all those kings surrounded him on every side and showered him with a rain of arrows, as clouds shower a mountain with rain. (BORI: 1-096-21)

[PV-KDV:01_013_41] (Bharata)

sa tadbāṇamayaṁ varṣaṁ śarairāvārya sarvataḥ । tataḥ sarvānmahīpālānpratyavidhyattribhistribhiḥ ॥BORI: 1-096-22॥

He warded off that rain of arrows on every side with his own shafts, then pierced each of the kings with three arrows. (BORI: 1-096-22)

[PV-KDV:01_013_42] (Bharata)

tasyāti puruṣānanyām̐llāghavaṁ rathacāriṇaḥ । rakṣaṇaṁ cātmanaḥ saṅkhyē śatravō’pyabhyapūjayan ॥BORI: 1-096-23॥

Even his enemies praised that chariot-warrior’s agility, which surpassed that of other men, and the way he protected himself in battle. (BORI: 1-096-23)

[PV-KDV:01_013_43] (Bharata)

tānvinirjitya tu raṇē sarvaśastraviśāradaḥ । kanyābhiḥ sahitaḥ prāyādbhāratō bhāratānprati ॥BORI: 1-096-24॥

After defeating them in battle, the descendant of Bharata, skilled in every weapon, set out with the maidens toward the Bharatas. (BORI: 1-096-24)

[PV-KDV:01_013_44] (Bharata)

Bhīṣma defeats Śālva in single combat, spares his life, and continues with the princesses.

tatastaṁ pr̥ṣṭhatō rājañśālvarājō mahārathaḥ । abhyāhanadamēyātmā bhīṣmaṁ śāntanavaṁ raṇē ॥BORI: 1-096-25॥

Then, O king, the mighty chariot-warrior King Shalva, of immeasurable spirit, attacked Bhishma, Shantanu’s son, from behind in battle. (BORI: 1-096-25)

[PV-KDV:01_013_45] (Bharata)

vāraṇaṁ jaghanē nighnandantābhyāmaparō yathā । vāśitāmanusamprāptō yūthapō balināṁ varaḥ ॥BORI: 1-096-26॥

as another herd-leading elephant, foremost of the strong, upon reaching a cow elephant, strikes an elephant in the hindquarters with his tusks. (BORI: 1-096-26)

[PV-KDV:01_013_46] (Bharata)

strīkāma tiṣṭha tiṣṭhēti bhīṣmamāha sa pārthivaḥ । śālvarājō mahābāhuramarṣēṇābhicōditaḥ ॥BORI: 1-096-27॥

“Stop! Stop, you who lust after women!” the mighty-armed King of Shalva said to Bhishma, driven on by indignation. (BORI: 1-096-27)

[PV-KDV:01_013_47] (Bharata)

tataḥ sa puruṣavyāghrō bhīṣmaḥ parabalārdanaḥ । tadvākyākulitaḥ krōdhādvidhūmō’gniriva jvalan ॥BORI: 1-096-28॥

Then Bhishma, that tiger among men and crusher of enemy forces, agitated by those words and blazing with anger like a smokeless fire... (BORI: 1-096-28)

[PV-KDV:01_013_48] (Bharata)

kṣatradharmaṁ samāsthāya vyapētabhayasambhramaḥ । nivartayāmāsa rathaṁ śālvaṁ prati mahārathaḥ ॥BORI: 1-096-29॥

Embracing the warrior’s duty, the great chariot-warrior, free from fear and agitation, turned his chariot back toward Shalva. (BORI: 1-096-29)

[PV-KDV:01_013_49] (Bharata)

nivartamānaṁ taṁ dr̥ṣṭvā rājānaḥ sarva ēva tē । prēkṣakāḥ samapadyanta bhīṣmaśālvasamāgamē ॥BORI: 1-096-30॥

Seeing him turn back, all those kings became spectators of the encounter between Bhishma and Shalva. (BORI: 1-096-30)

[PV-KDV:01_013_50] (Bharata)

tau vr̥ṣāviva nardantau balinau vāśitāntarē । anyōnyamabhivartētāṁ balavikramaśālinau ॥BORI: 1-096-31॥

The two powerful warriors, roaring like bulls in the presence of a cow and endowed with strength and valor, charged at one another. (BORI: 1-096-31)

[PV-KDV:01_013_51] (Bharata)

tatō bhīṣmaṁ śāntanavaṁ śaraiḥ śatasahasraśaḥ । śālvarājō naraśrēṣṭhaḥ samavākiradāśugaiḥ ॥BORI: 1-096-32॥

Then the noble King of Shalva showered Bhishma, son of Shantanu, with hundreds of thousands of swift-flying arrows. (BORI: 1-096-32)

[PV-KDV:01_013_52] (Bharata)

pūrvamabhyarditaṁ dr̥ṣṭvā bhīṣmaṁ śālvēna tē nr̥pāḥ । vismitāḥ samapadyanta sādhu sādhviti cābruvan ॥BORI: 1-096-33॥

Seeing Bhishma for the first time hard-pressed by Shalva, those kings were amazed and cried, “Well done! Well done!” (BORI: 1-096-33)

[PV-KDV:01_013_53] (Bharata)

lāghavaṁ tasya tē dr̥ṣṭvā saṁyugē sarvapārthivāḥ । apūjayanta saṁhr̥ṣṭā vāgbhiḥ śālvaṁ narādhipāḥ ॥BORI: 1-096-34॥

Seeing his agility in battle, all the assembled kings rejoiced and praised King Shalva with their words. (BORI: 1-096-34)

[PV-KDV:01_013_54] (Bharata)

kṣatriyāṇāṁ tadā vācaḥ śrutvā parapurañjayaḥ । kruddhaḥ śāntanavō bhīṣmastiṣṭha tiṣṭhētyabhāṣata ॥BORI: 1-096-35॥

Hearing the words of the Kshatriyas, Bhishma, Shantanu’s son and conqueror of enemy cities, grew angry and cried, “Stop! Stop!” (BORI: 1-096-35)

[PV-KDV:01_013_55] (Bharata)

sārathiṁ cābravītkruddhō yāhi yatraiṣa pārthivaḥ । yāvadēnaṁ nihanmyadya bhujaṅgamiva pakṣirāṭ ॥BORI: 1-096-36॥

Enraged, he said to his charioteer, “Drive to where that king is, so that I may slay him today as Garuḍa slays a serpent.” (BORI: 1-096-36)

[PV-KDV:01_013_56] (Bharata)

tatō’straṁ vāruṇaṁ samyagyōjayāmāsa kauravaḥ । tēnāśvāṁścaturō’mr̥dnācchālvarājñō narādhipa ॥BORI: 1-096-37॥

Then the Kaurava properly readied the Varuṇa weapon and with it struck down all four of the king of Śālva’s horses, O king. (BORI: 1-096-37)

[PV-KDV:01_013_57] (Bharata)

astrairastrāṇi saṁvārya śālvarājñaḥ sa kauravaḥ । bhīṣmō nr̥patiśārdūla nyavadhīttasya sārathim । astrēṇa cāpyathaikēna nyavadhītturagōttamān ॥BORI: 1-096-38॥

Having countered the king of Shalva’s weapons with his own, that Kaurava, Bhishma, O tiger among kings, slew his charioteer; then, with a single weapon, he also slew his finest horses. (BORI: 1-096-38)

[PV-KDV:01_013_58] (Bharata)

kanyāhētōrnaraśrēṣṭha bhīṣmaḥ śāntanavastadā । jitvā visarjayāmāsa jīvantaṁ nr̥pasattamam । tataḥ śālvaḥ svanagaraṁ prayayau bharatarṣabha ॥BORI: 1-096-39॥

Then, best of men, Bhishma, Shantanu’s son, having defeated the noble king for the sake of the maiden, let him go alive. Thereupon, bull of the Bharatas, Shalva returned to his own city. (BORI: 1-096-39)

[PV-KDV:01_013_59] (Bharata)

rājānō yē ca tatrāsansvayaṁvaradidr̥kṣavaḥ । svānyēva tē’pi rāṣṭrāṇi jagmuḥ parapurañjaya ॥BORI: 1-096-40॥

The kings who had gathered there to witness the svayaṃvara also returned to their own realms, O conqueror of enemy cities. (BORI: 1-096-40)

[PV-KDV:01_013_60] (Bharata)

ēvaṁ vijitya tāḥ kanyā bhīṣmaḥ praharatāṁ varaḥ । prayayau hāstinapuraṁ yatra rājā sa kauravaḥ ॥BORI: 1-096-41॥

Having thus won the maidens, Bhishma, foremost of warriors, set out for Hastinapura, where the Kaurava king was. (BORI: 1-096-41)

[PV-KDV:01_013_61] (Bharata)

sō’cirēṇaiva kālēna atyakrāmannarādhipa । vanāni saritaścaiva śailāṁśca vividhadrumān ॥BORI: 1-096-42॥

In a very short time, O king, he crossed forests and rivers, and mountains covered with many kinds of trees. (BORI: 1-096-42)

[PV-KDV:01_013_62] (Bharata)

akṣataḥ kṣapayitvārīnsaṅkhyē’saṅkhyēyavikramaḥ । ānayāmāsa kāśyasya sutāḥ sāgaragāsutaḥ ॥BORI: 1-096-43॥

Unscathed after destroying his enemies in battle, the son of the river that flows to the ocean, a warrior of immeasurable prowess, brought away the daughters of the king of Kashi. (BORI: 1-096-43)

[PV-KDV:01_013_63] (Bharata)

The other kings disperse, Bhīṣma returns with the Kāśī princesses, treats them as daughters or sisters, and prepares to give them to Vicitravīrya with Satyavatī’s agreement.

snuṣā iva sa dharmātmā bhaginya iva cānujāḥ । yathā duhitaraścaiva pratigr̥hya yayau kurūn ॥BORI: 1-096-44॥

That righteous man received them as daughters-in-law, younger sisters, and daughters, and departed for the land of the Kurus. (BORI: 1-096-44)

[PV-KDV:01_013_64] (Bharata)

tāḥ sarvā guṇasampannā bhrātā bhrātrē yavīyasē । bhīṣmō vicitravīryāya pradadau vikramāhr̥tāḥ ॥BORI: 1-096-45॥

Bhishma gave all those accomplished women, won by his valor, to his younger brother Vichitravirya. (BORI: 1-096-45)

[PV-KDV:01_013_65] (Bharata)

satāṁ dharmēṇa dharmajñaḥ kr̥tvā karmātimānuṣam । bhrāturvicitravīryasya vivāhāyōpacakramē । satyavatyā saha mithaḥ kr̥tvā niścayamātmavān ॥BORI: 1-096-46॥

After performing a superhuman feat in accordance with the law of the virtuous, the self-possessed knower of dharma privately reached a decision with Satyavati and began arranging the marriage of his brother Vichitravirya. (BORI: 1-096-46)

[PV-KDV:01_013_66] (Bharata)

Ambā is released to Śālva; Ambikā and Ambālikā are given to Vicitravīrya.

vivāhaṁ kārayiṣyantaṁ bhīṣmaṁ kāśipatēḥ sutāḥ । jyēṣṭhā tāsāmidaṁ vākyamabravīddha satī tadā ॥BORI: 1-096-47॥

Then the eldest of the king of Kashi’s daughters, a virtuous woman, spoke these words to Bhishma as he was about to arrange the marriage: (BORI: 1-096-47)

[PV-KDV:01_013_67] (Bharata)

mayā saubhapatiḥ pūrvaṁ manasābhivr̥taḥ patiḥ । tēna cāsmi vr̥tā pūrvamēṣa kāmaśca mē pituḥ ॥BORI: 1-096-48॥

I had already chosen the lord of Saubha in my heart as my husband, and he had already chosen me. This was also my father’s wish. (BORI: 1-096-48)

[PV-KDV:01_013_68] (Bharata)

mayā varayitavyō’bhūcchālvastasminsvayaṁvarē । ētadvijñāya dharmajña tatastvaṁ dharmamācara ॥BORI: 1-096-49॥

I was to choose Śālva at that svayaṃvara. Knowing this, you who understand dharma, act in accordance with dharma. (BORI: 1-096-49)

[PV-KDV:01_013_69] (Bharata)

ēvamuktastayā bhīṣmaḥ kanyayā viprasaṁsadi । cintāmabhyagamadvīrō yuktāṁ tasyaiva karmaṇaḥ ॥BORI: 1-096-50॥

Thus addressed by the maiden in the assembly of Brahmins, the heroic Bhishma fell into reflection appropriate to that very matter. (BORI: 1-096-50)

[PV-KDV:01_013_70] (Bharata)

sa viniścitya dharmajñō brāhmaṇairvēdapāragaiḥ । anujajñē tadā jyēṣṭāmambāṁ kāśipatēḥ sutām ॥BORI: 1-096-51॥

After reaching a decision in consultation with Brahmins learned in the Vedas, he, knowing dharma, then gave leave to the eldest, Amba, daughter of the king of Kashi. (BORI: 1-096-51)

[PV-KDV:01_013_71] (Bharata)

ambikāmbālikē bhāryē prādādbhrātrē yavīyasē । bhīṣmō vicitravīryāya vidhidr̥ṣṭēna karmaṇā ॥BORI: 1-096-52॥

Bhishma gave Ambika and Ambalika as wives to his younger brother Vichitravirya, with the rites prescribed by law. (BORI: 1-096-52)

[PV-KDV:01_013_72] (Bharata)

Vicitravīrya dies of consumption after seven years, and Bhīṣma performs his funeral rites.

tābhyāṁ saha samāḥ sapta viharanpr̥thivīpatiḥ । vicitravīryastaruṇō yakṣmāṇaṁ samapadyata ॥BORI: 1-096-57॥

After spending seven years with the two of them, the young king Vichitravirya contracted consumption. (BORI: 1-096-57)

[PV-KDV:01_013_77] (Bharata)

suhr̥dāṁ yatamānānāmāptaiḥ saha cikitsakaiḥ । jagāmāstamivādityaḥ kauravyō yamasādanam ॥BORI: 1-096-58॥

Despite the efforts of his friends and trusted physicians, the Kaurava went to the abode of Yama, like the sun setting. (BORI: 1-096-58)

[PV-KDV:01_013_78] (Bharata)

prētakāryāṇi sarvāṇi tasya samyagakārayat । rājñō vicitravīryasya satyavatyā matē sthitaḥ । r̥tvigbhiḥ sahitō bhīṣmaḥ sarvaiśca kurupuṅgavaiḥ ॥BORI: 1-096-59॥

Acting in accordance with Satyavatī’s wishes, Bhīṣma had all the funeral rites for King Vicitravīrya duly performed, together with the officiating priests and all the foremost Kurus. (BORI: 1-096-59)

[PV-KDV:01_013_79] (Bharata)