05.172
Bhishma said:
Then, O king, I took leave of Kali, Satyavati, the ministers, brahmins, priests, and the eldest maiden Amba.
The maiden, having been permitted, went to the city of the lord of Śālva, accompanied and protected by the elders and the twice-born, along with her nurse. After crossing the path, she reached the king.
She approached King Śālva and said, "I have come, O mighty-armed and great effulgent one, for you."
The lord of Śālva, with a smile, said to her, "O lord of men, I do not seek a wife through you, O beautiful lady, who is unlike any other."
Go back, dear lady, to the presence of Bharata. I do not wish for you to be taken by Bhishma against your will.
Indeed, you were led by Bhishma after conquering, and were pleased then. Reflecting on the great battle, having conquered the rulers of the earth, I am not seeking a wife in you, O beautiful lady, who belonged to another before.
How could a king like us allow another man's wife to enter? A wise person instructing others on their duty. Go as you wish, dear lady, do not let your time pass away.
The mother, struck by the arrow of love, addressed him, saying, "O king, do not speak in such a manner, O ruler of the earth, this is not the case at all."
I am not happy, O tormentor of enemies, being taken away by Bhishma. I am forcibly led away, crying, after having defeated the kings of the earth.
O lord of the Śālvas, worship me, an innocent and devoted girl, for abandoning devotees is not considered virtuous in any duty.
After addressing the steadfast warrior born of the Ganges, and receiving his permission, she returned to your home.
I have heard that the mighty-armed Bhishma does not wish for me, O lord of the people, due to the endeavor for the sake of his brother.
The son of Ganga indeed gave my sisters, Ambika and Ambalika, to the younger Vichitravirya, O king.
O lord of the Śālvas, I consider no other man but you, O tiger among men, and thus I bow my head.
O King, I have approached you without any precedent. I speak the truth, O Śālva, and I affirm myself by the truth.
O King, worship me, the large-eyed one, who is present here as an unprecedented daughter, desiring your favor.
Śālva, after hearing her speak in such a manner, abandoned the daughter of the king of Kāśi, just as a serpent sheds its old skin, O best of the Bharatas.
Despite being earnestly requested in many ways by her, the lord of the Śālvas, O sinless one, did not believe the maiden, O best of the Bharatas.
Then the eldest daughter of the king of Kashi, overwhelmed with anger, spoke with tear-filled eyes and a voice trembling with emotion.
O lord of men, having been abandoned by you, I shall go wherever I can; may my paths be righteous there, as I have truthfully declared.
Thus, while they were speaking, the cruel king of the Śālvas abandoned the lamenting and pitiful descendant of Kuru.
Śālva repeatedly urged her to go, saying, 'Go, go.' O beautiful-hipped one, I fear Bhīṣma, and you are under Bhīṣma's protection.
Having been addressed in this manner by Śālva, the far-sighted one, she left the city, sorrowful and crying, like a female curlew.
