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In this story, we witness Amba, a resolute princess driven by vengeance against Bhishma, transcending death to be reborn as Shikhandi. Armed with a powerful garland bestowed by Lord Kartikeya, her mission for retribution spans lifetimes and intertwines fate with divine assistance.
Characters in the story:
Amba: Amba is a princess in the Mahabharata, who seeks revenge against Bhishma for the humiliation she endured and later reincarnates as Shikhandi to fulfill her mission.
Shikhandi: Shikhandi is a crucial character in the Mahabharata, originally born as a woman named Amba but later reincarnated as a man. They play a pivotal role in the Kurukshetra war, ultimately contributing to the downfall of Bhishma.
Bhishma: Bhishma, a significant character in the Mahabharata, stands as a renowned warrior and key figure in the epic. His unyielding commitment to celibacy, unwavering loyalty to his family, and unwavering sense of duty make him a central figure in the tale.
The legend of Amba, the princess of Kashi, did not end with her death; it continued through reincarnation and a quest for vengeance. Reborn as King Drupada’s daughter, her desire to avenge the humiliation from her previous life remained strong. This connection between her two lives lay in a precious garland gifted to her by Lord Kartikeya. This is the tale of how Kartikeya’s garland aided the princess in fulfilling her mission.
Amba, once the beloved daughter of the King of Kashi, longed to marry Shalva, the ruler of Saubha. When a swayamvara was organized for Amba and her sisters, Ambika and Ambalika, she was thrilled, as her heart was already set on Shalva.
However, the occasion took an unexpected turn when Bhishma, the chief of the Kurus, arrived at the event. Bhishma declared that he would take the three princesses to Hastinapura to marry his brother, Vichitravirya. He challenged the suitors to a battle, and despite their efforts, none could defeat him. Shalva, too, was easily subdued when he tried to intervene.
The Kashi princesses were welcomed in Hastinapura, but Amba’s heart still belonged to Shalva. She expressed her wish to marry him to Bhishma, who granted her permission to return to her love, as he would not force her to stay against her will. However, Shalva rejected her, leaving Amba heartbroken and uncertain about her future. When she returned to Hastinapura, Vichitravirya refused to marry her, knowing she had chosen another.
Left with no other option, Amba pleaded with Bhishma to wed her, but he declined, bound by his vow of eternal celibacy. Filled with rage, Amba blamed Bhishma for her humiliation and vowed to be the cause of his downfall.
In her determination for revenge, Amba performed rigorous penance to invoke Lord Kartikeya. Pleased with her devotion, Kartikeya appeared before her with a garland of lotuses. He bestowed upon her the knowledge that whoever wore the garland would be the instrument of Bhishma’s end.
Armed with this powerful artifact, Amba sought out warriors and kings to aid her cause, but all of them declined due to fear of Bhishma. Desperate, she arrived at King Drupada’s court and offered him the garland. When he refused, Amba, consumed by anger, left the garland hanging on the palace gates and departed from Drupada’s kingdom.
Over the years, none dared touch the garland, and Amba’s attempts to defeat Bhishma proved futile. In desperation, she sought the blessings of Lord Shiva, who informed her that she would have the opportunity to achieve her revenge in her next birth.
Unable to wait for her rebirth, Amba set a fire and walked into it. In due time, she was reincarnated as Drupada’s daughter, living with the memories of her past life. Spotting the forgotten garland in the palace gardens, she wore it, unaware of its significance. Furious upon learning what she had done, King Drupada banished her from Panchala to avoid any enmity with Bhishma. The princess obeyed her father’s decree and ventured deep into the forest.
In her self-imposed exile, she performed intense penance, catching the attention of a Yaksha named Sthunakarna. The princess shared her tale of revenge, moving the Yaksha’s heart. He agreed to assist her and suggested a unique solution. Sthunakarna proposed exchanging their sexes so that Amba, now transformed into a man named Shikhandi, could fulfill her quest for vengeance more effectively.
As the Kurukshetra war unfolded, guided by Krishna, Arjuna rode with Shikhandi on the tenth day of battle. Bhishma, bound by his vow not to attack a woman, was rendered vulnerable.
Shikhandi and Arjuna took advantage of this and launched a fierce assault, ultimately leading to Bhishma’s fall. In this way, Shikhandi avenged Amba’s past humiliation and fulfilled the mission that carried over from her previous life.
In the end, as Shikhandi, Amba fulfills her quest for vengeance, avenging her past humiliation and bringing closure to her intertwined destinies across two lifetimes. Through the cycle of rebirth and divine assistance, she achieves her long-awaited justice.
