Mb006. Vichitravirya Poem by Rajaram Ramachandran

MAHABHARATA

Vichitravirya when came of age,
A suitable bride for his marriage,
Bhishma was on the look out
Far and wide, through out.

By then a function Svayamvara
For Amba, Ambika, and Ambalika
The King Kasi's three princesses,
It was in a speedy process.

For their exceptional beauty,
Princes from every capital city,
Were assembled in the hall,
There awaiting their arrival.

Bhisma, the great warrior,
Who was also present there,
Challenged them for a fight,
Justified as a Svayamvara right.

None came forward to meet,
They were though in a heat.
All the three in his chariot
Bhisma placed them to sit.

On the way the princess Amba,
Of her love with the King Salva,
She revealed it to Bhishma,
The best among the race Bharata.

Her wish Bhisma did fulfill,
But Salva said against her will,
That he wasn't for a charity
From Bhisma out of pity.

Back she came to marry,
But Vichitravirya became fury,
As Salva her earlier choice was.
He rejected her for this cause.

To marry Bhishma thereafter,
She made a voluntary offer.
But he told her of his vow,
That forbade this now.

Her life was ruined she felt,
As Bhishma was the cause for it.
She told her ill fate to everyone
But to listen to her came none.

To reap her vengeance,
She did severe penance.
Lord Subramanya gave her,
A garland to appease her.

Any war he was sure to win.
Once this garland was worn.
For this came forward none,
Dejected became this woman.

She hung it at the palace gate,
Of King Drupada's royal fort.
To the woods she went then.
And appealed to ascetic men.

His help Sage Parasurama,
Was willing to offer Amba,
As both were equal in strength
It was "No loss or gain, " at length.

She did severe penance soon,
Lord Siva gave her a boon,
That in her very next birth,
She would finish Bhishma to death.

Not satisfied, she burnt herself,
To end up her present life,
On the hope of an early rebirth,
To fight Bhishma until his death.