In this Mahabharat episode, a desolate and increasingly desperate Amba seeks out someone who will kill Bhishma and avenge her, and sets forth a sequence of events that will culminate many years later at the battle of Kurukshetra.
Amba moved from despair to desperation, from desperation to anger, from anger to rage, and from rage to a deep thirst for revenge. She went from place to place, asking for someone who would be brave enough to fight and kill Bhishma. But no one was willing to do that. Everyone was afraid of Bhishma because he was a great warrior — strong, skilled, and undefeatable in battle.
There was another big reason nobody wanted to challenge him. When Bhishma made his vow — that he would remain unmarried and give up all pleasures — his father, King Shantanu, was very pleased and blessed him. Shantanu said, “For your great sacrifice, I will give you a blessing. All the goodness, power, and energy I have earned through my prayers and discipline — I will pass that on to you. Because of this blessing, you can choose the moment of your own death. Death will come to you only when you wish it.” This made Bhishma even more powerful, and nobody was willing to face him in battle.
Bhishma Fights Parashurama
Then Amba went in search of Parashurama. Parashurama was Bhishma’s teacher — he was the one who taught Bhishma archery and the art of war. When Amba fell down at Parashurama’s feet and begged him for help, Parashurama said, “Don’t worry. I will make things right for you.”
Parashurama then called for Bhishma. Bhishma came immediately and bowed down before his teacher. Parashurama said, “Enough! Stop this vow of yours. Marry this woman. It’s the only way to bring peace and happiness.”
For the first time, Bhishma spoke up against his teacher. “Guru,” Bhishma said, “you have taught me everything I know, and I would even give up my own life if you asked me. But I made a vow — a promise I cannot break, no matter what happens. So I cannot break it, even if you wish me to.”
These were times when people were trying to bring civilization and order into their lives. There were no written laws or constitutions. So a person’s word and promises were the most important thing. Whenever someone made a vow, it was their duty to keep it, no matter what — even if it meant losing their own life. This is why a man’s word was valued above everything else.
Parashurama was someone who was always obedient. Whatever his parents or his teacher said, he would do without questioning. Once, his father asked him to cut off the heads of his own brothers and his mother. Without thinking twice, Parashurama obeyed and cut them off! His father was pleased with his obedience and said, “Ask for a blessing — whatever you wish, I will grant it.” Parashurama chose to bring his mother and his brothers back to life, and his wish was immediately granted.
This kind of absolute obedience was a big part of Parashurama’s character. So when Bhishma refused to break his vow, Parashurama became very angry. This made him challenge Bhishma to a battle — a battle that was extraordinary and fiercely fought.
Parashurama had taught Bhishma everything he knew, yet Bhishma was so strong and skilled that Parashurama couldn’t win. They fought for many days and nights, but neither was defeated. At last, Parashurama threw up his hands and said to Amba, “I cannot win. You must find someone else to help you.”
Karthikeya Intervenes.
Amba was still determined to get revenge. So she went up into the high Himalayan mountains. There, amid the snow-covered peaks, she sat down and started prayed and performed deep tapasya (a kind of strong meditation). She called upon Lord Karthikeya, the son of Lord Shiva — a great warrior — thinking he might be the only one strong enough to destroy Bhishma.
Pleased by her prayers, Karthikeya appeared in front of Amba. Amba fell at his feet and said, “Please! You must kill Bhishma for me.”
But Karthikeya replied quietly, “My time for killing is over.” This meant that he was done with battle and killing, and he could not destroy Bhishma.
Amba’s Quest with the Garland.
Once again, Amba took a garland made of lotus flowers and walked from village to village and town to town. She kept asking, “Is there anyone who is brave enough to wear this garland and kill Bhishma?” But no one was willing to do it. Everyone was afraid of Bhishma’s power and skill.
Did you know Karthikeya had gone down south in his quest for justice? He defeated many people who were unfair or unjust. Later, he came to a place now called Subramanya in Karnataka. There, for the last time, he cleaned his sword and said, “Never again will this sword see blood.” So he stopped fighting and went up into the mountains — a place now called Kumara Parvata — and left his body there.
When Amba called upon him in her prayers, Karthikeya’s spirit appeared and said, “I cannot kill Bhishma, but I can give you a blessing.” He handed her a garland made of lotuses and said, “Whoever wears this garland will be the one to destroy Bhishma.”
With great hope in her heart, Amba walked once again from town to town with the garland in her hands. She kept asking, “Is there anyone brave enough to wear this garland and kill Bhishma?” But nobody wanted to do it. Everyone was afraid.
Finally, she came to the court of King Drupada of Panchala, the ruler of the second-largest kingdom in Bharatvarsh. King Drupada was so afraid of Amba and her garland that he refused even to see her. So, feeling sad and without hope, Amba hung the garland on a column in his palace and went back up into the Himalayas. The garland stayed fresh and beautiful, and King Drupada was afraid to touch it or move it. Each day, lamps were kept burning in its honor — but nobody came forward to claim it.
Shiva’s Boon.
Amba continued her journey up into the Himalayas. She found a quiet spot high up in the mountains. There, she sat down and began deep prayers and tapasya (a kind of deep meditation). Slowly, her beautiful body grew thin until there was nothing left but skin and bone. But even then, she kept praying with all her heart, calling out to Lord Shiva.
One day, Lord Shiva appeared in front of her in a wonderful form — full of light and power. Amba fell down at his feet and said, “Lord Shiva, please destroy Bhishma! I want revenge for everything I’ve suffered.”
Lord Shiva said, “Wouldn't it be better if you defeated Bhishma yourself? That way, you can enjoy your revenge more.”
Amba’s eyes opened wide with surprise. “How can I do that? I’m a woman, and Bhishma is a great warrior. I cannot win against him.”
Lord Shiva replied, “I will bless you. In your next life, you will be reborn with a chance to destroy Bhishma.”
Amba worried, “But in my next life, I might forget everything. I may not remember this promise or the revenge I want.”
Lord Shiva said, “Don’t worry! I will make sure you remember everything — all your suffering, all your struggles — when the time comes. This way, you will know the true happiness of revenge.”
Then Amba calmly let go of her life, closing her eyes. Her spirit left her body — but with Lord Shiva’s blessing — to be reborn later with a new chance to destroy Bhishma.
To Be Continued...
