Storytelling Week 6: Amba, Queen of the Salwas

Read the updated version of this story on my Indian Epics Portfolio here: link.
File:Amba Mahabharata.jpg
Amba on Wikimedia
Bhishma had been overseeing King Vichitravirya as his regent since he was a boy. When the King came of age and was ready to marry, Bhishma went out and stole three princesses from far away, Amba, Ambalika, and Ambika. Since no one dared to fight Bhishma to win the princesses back, the three women went to live in Bhishma’s kingdom. The eldest, Amba, went in private to confess something to Bhishma. “Sir”, she said, “I am honored that you have chosen me to be a wife of your king. However, I must be honest with you and tell you that I have promised myself to wed King Salwa. It would not be honorable to marry anyone else.” So saying, Bhishma wished her well on her journey to the King of the Salwas.
Upon arriving at the gates of the Salwa city, Amba was immediately taken to meet with King Salwa and his advisors. Expecting the one she had promised herself to to be joyous at her appearance, Amba was surprised at the angry look she received from the King. He addressed her impersonally and harshly, “You have stepped foot into another’s palace. They have tried to wed you to another. I am mocked that Bhishma stole you. I could never take you as my wife.” Amba, shocked and enraged to hear this returned to Bhishma.
Bhishma was neither surprised nor angry to see that Amba had returned. Sensing trouble, he spoke to her directly. He asked why she had come back and what he could do to help her. Amba spoke frankly to Bhishma, “King Salwa made an oath to me that I would be made Queen of the Salwas. He did not give me a chance to explain myself. I was turned away in embarrassment. I ask that you help me defeat him so that I am made Queen as I was promised.” Bhishma believed Amba and agreed to help her in her endeavors.
Bhishma gathered some of his strongest men and traveled to the land of the Salwas. They easily breached the wall and made their way to Salwa’s palace. Salwa, who had been notified of Bhishma entering the city, tried to hide. He was unsuccessful and placed before Bhishma and his men. “King Salwa”, said Bhishma, “I have heard of your rejection of Amba. Is it true that you had promised her that you would marry her and that she would become Queen of the Salwas?” Too stunned to form words, Salwa nodded yes. “And is it true”, Bhishma continued. “that you sent her away in shame?” Again, Salwa nodded yes. Bhishma concluded, “Good, now I give you two options. You cede the kingdom to Amba today, or you will die."
Knowing that he could never defeat Bhishma in battle, and too cowardly to die trying, King Salwa ceded his kingdom to Amba, Queen of the Salwas. She was to be a goodly and just Queen until the end of her days.
Author’s Note: In the original version of the Mahabharata, when Amba is rejected by King Salwa, she blames Bhishma. She grows increasingly more bitter towards him and begins to plot a way to kill him. She loses her desire to groom herself and focuses solely on Bhishma. In my version, I made her return to Bhishma after her rejection. As it was Bhishma’s fault for stealing her away, it was not necessarily his fault that Salwa rejected Amba. So, returning to Bhishma, Amba is able to become a prominent ruler and live a life that she is happy with. In the original, she is sour until she dies by walking into a burning funeral pyre. Afterwards, she is reincarnated into the being that will defeat Bhishma. You can read the Mahabharata here: link.
Mahabharata. Public Domain Edition.

Comments

  1. UnknownOctober 1, 2017 at 9:53 PM

    Hey Bridget!

    Loved your spin on the story by making Amba turn to Bhishma for help instead of being bitter towards him. Bitterness and revenge don't actually make a person feel any better, and I think your story provided a healthy alternate ending to the original Mahabharata. Great transitions, and great use of dialogue! Hope to read more of your stories this semester.

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  2. Kayleigh ZemaitisOctober 4, 2017 at 10:30 AM

    Hi Bridget!

    I like the photo you chose for your story. It is very unique to the typical colorful photos in the epics that we read! Your author's note is very well done and adds a lot to this story, as it is something I have not previously read. I like the changes you made, it is a unique spin on this episode.

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  3. Akriti JallaOctober 6, 2017 at 3:31 PM

    Hey Bridget! I think it's cool that you decided to focus on Amba in this story! She doesn't play a huge role in the Mahabharata (as much as the other characters do, at least), so it's definitely interesting to see her point of view and her life story a little bit :) I also like that her story was a happy ending, rather than being rejected by King Salwa and hating Bhishma for the rest of her life. I liked your story and creativity a lot!

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  4. UnknownOctober 16, 2017 at 10:24 AM

    Hi Bridget!

    I loved this spin on Amba's story. When I read the original story I remember think that it was unfair of Amba to blame Bhishma and not King Salwa since Bhishma did not know she was already engaged and Salwa should have trusted her. I liked that you gave her a happy ending apart from either Bhishma or King Salwa! Well done!

    -Elizabeth

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  5. UnknownOctober 22, 2017 at 4:40 PM

    Hi, Bridget!

    I love that you decided to change Amba's fate in this story. Instead of letting Amba suffer and seek out revenge against Bhishma, she sought out his help to make things right. The original story is just full of so much hatred and revenge, and it is nice to see a story that strays away from that. It makes me really happy to see Amba get what she was originally promised. Great story!

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  6. UnknownOctober 22, 2017 at 9:37 PM

    THANK YOU. I agree that this is how the story should have gone, if Bhishma is indeed a generous and caring man. I probably would have had Amba fight Salwa, but that's because I'm petty. I still think it could be an interesting plot point though. I like that you made her stronger here as well, as she's portrayed as pretty helpless in the original.

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