charioteer.  Then that first of men, Bhishma, the son of Santanu, fighting for the sake of those damsels, slew with the Aindra weapon the noble steeds of his adversary.  He then vanquished that best of monarchs but left him with his life.  O bull of Bharata’s race, Salya, after his defeat, returned to his kingdom and continued to rule it virtuously.  And O conqueror of hostile towns, the other kings also, who had come to witness, the self-choice ceremony returned to their own kingdoms.

“That foremost of smiters, viz., Bhishma, after defeating those monarchs, set out with those damsels, for Hastinapura whence the virtuous Kuru prince Vichitravirya ruled the earth like that best of monarchs, viz., his father Santanu.  And, O king, passing through many forests, rivers, hills, and woods abounding with trees, he arrived (at the capital) in no time.  Of immeasurable prowess in battle, the son of the ocean-going Ganga, having slain numberless foes in battle without a scratch on his own person, brought the daughters of the king of Kasi unto the Kurus as tenderly if they were his daughters-in-law, or younger sisters, or daughters.  And Bhishma of mighty arms, impelled by the desire of benefiting his brother, having by his prowess brought them thus, then offered those maidens possessing every accomplishment unto Vichitravirya.  Conversant with the dictates of virtue, the son of Santanu, having achieved such an extraordinary feat according to (kingly) custom, then began to make preparations for his brother’s wedding.  And when everything about the wedding had been settled by Bhishma in consultation with Satyavati, the eldest daughter of the king of Kasi, with a soft smile, told him these words, ’At heart I had chosen the king of Saubha for my husband.  He had, in his heart, accepted me for his wife.  This was also approved by my father.  At the self-choice ceremony also I would have chosen him as my lord.  Thou art conversant with all the dictates of virtue, knowing all this, do as thou likest.’  Thus addressed by that maiden in the presence of the Brahmanas, the heroic Bhishma began to reflect as to what should be done.  As he was conversant with the rules of virtue, he consulted with the Brahmanas who had mastered the Vedas, and permitted Amba, the eldest daughter of the ruler of Kasi to do as she liked.  But he bestowed with due rites the two other daughters, Ambika and Ambalika on his younger brother Vichitravirya.  And though Vichitravirya was virtuous and abstemious, yet, proud of youth and beauty, he soon became lustful after his marriage.  And both Ambika and Ambalika were of tall stature, and of the complexion of molten gold.  And their heads were covered with black curly hair, and their finger-nails were high and red; their hips were fat and round, and their breasts full and deep.  And endued with every auspicious mark, the amiable young ladies considered themselves to be wedded to a husband who was every way worthy of themselves, and extremely loved and respected Vichitravirya.