05.170
Duryodhana spoke:
O best of the Bharatas, why should you refrain from killing Shikhandi, who stands as an aggressor in battles with his arrows raised?
O mighty-armed one, having previously declared, "I will slay the Pandavas and the Somakas," O son of Ganga, please convey that to me, grandfather.
Bhishma spoke.
Listen, Duryodhana, to the story along with the kings, for which reason, having observed in battle, I would not kill Shikhandin.
My father, King Śantanu, the noble leader of the Bharatas, passed away righteously at the destined time, O noble one among men.
Then, O esteemed Bharata, I fulfilled my promise by anointing my brother Citrangada as the king of the great kingdom.
Upon the death, as per Satyavati's decision, Vicitravīrya was duly anointed as the king.
Anointed by me, O king, the younger and righteous Vicitravīrya regarded me with respect due to righteousness.
Desiring to arrange his marriage, I, like a father, also indeed thought and placed my mind on finding a suitable family.
O mighty-armed one, you heard about the three princesses at the self-choice ceremony, all unparalleled in beauty, who were the daughters of the King of Kashi: Amba, Ambika, and Ambalika.
The kings were gathered on earth, O best of the Bharatas. Among them, Ambā was the eldest, Ambikā was the middle one, and Ambālikā, O king, was the youngest princess.
I went alone with a single chariot to the city of the king of Kāśī. There, O mighty-armed one, I saw those three beautifully adorned maidens. And indeed, O lord of the earth, the princes had returned.
Then I called all the kings who were standing in the battle and made the maidens ascend the chariot, O best of the Bharatas.
Upon realizing that the maidens were to be won by valor, I mounted the chariot and addressed all the assembled kings, declaring repeatedly that Bhishma, the son of Shantanu, was taking away the maiden.
All the kings should strive with their utmost strength for liberation. Indeed, I will lead this forcefully while your kings watch.
Then those kings, armed and angry, rose up and urged their charioteers, exclaiming 'Effort, effort!'
The kings, equipped with chariots resembling clouds, elephants, and cavalry, rose with their weapons raised, ready for battle.
Then all the kings, O lord of men, surrounded me from every direction with a great number of chariots.
I repelled them with a great rain of arrows and conquered all the kings, just as the king of gods conquered the demons.
As they approached with their colorful flags adorned with gold, I shot each one down to the ground with an arrow.
O best of men, smiling, I felled the horses, elephants, and charioteers of these in battle with fiery arrows.
After witnessing my agility, they returned defeated. Then I conquered the kings and came to Hastinapura.
Therefore, O Bhārata, I informed Satyavati about those maidens for my brother's sake, and that deed, O mighty-armed one.