Amba, Ambika, and Ambalika were daughters of the king of Kashi. Vichitravirya was the son of Shantanu and Satyavati and king of the Kuru Vamsha. It was time for the marriage of Vichitravirya. King of Kashi had organized a swayamvara for his daughters. In those days, marriage by abduction was permissible for Kshatriyas. Bhishmacharya defeated all the kings who had come for the swayamvara and abducted the three princesses. They were brought to Hastinapur. Amba refused to marry Vichitravirya since she was already in love with someone. She went back. Ambika and Ambalika married Vichitravirya.