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 said:

[PV-KDV:01_013_1] (Bharata)

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)

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)

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.

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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

[PV-KDV:01_013_10] (Bharata)

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)

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)

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)

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.

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)

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)

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)

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 said:

[PV-KDV:01_013_20] (Bharata)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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.

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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

[PV-KDV:01_013_34] (Bharata)

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

[PV-KDV:01_013_35] (Bharata)

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

[PV-KDV:01_013_36] (Bharata)

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)

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.

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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.

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)

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)

“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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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.

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)

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)

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.

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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.

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)

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)

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)