Ambalika was the wife of Vichitravirya and the mother of Pandu in the Mahabharata. She was the third and youngest of the three daughters of the king of Kashi, the other two being Amba (eldest) and Ambika (elder).
Having being brought to Hastinapura forcibly by Bhishma, Ambalika had to marry Prince Vichitravirya, along with her sister, Ambika, as co-wife. Vichitravirya died of consumption before a child was born to perpetuate the Kuru lineage.
Satyavati, concerned over the absence of progeny to continue the line of succession, first wanted Bhishma to marry the widow Ambalika. On his refusal to do so and at his suggestion, she agreed to have the lineage continued with the help of Vyasa – her own son by Sage Parashara.
Sage Vyasa agreed to the suggestion on the condition that the princess should not be scared by his ugliness and dark complexion. But what the great sage expected came true. The face of Ambalika became pale at the sight of Sage Vyasa. The conjugal union happened with repulsion in the mind of Ambalika. Vyasa told Satyavati that Ambalika would give birth to a son but the child would be born pale and sickly in appearance. She gave birth to Pandu.
In due course of time, Satyavati witnessed Kauravas and
Pandavas feud bitterly in public during their graduation ceremony organized by
Dronacharya.
She could no longer witness the downfall of the Kuru kingdom. She retired to the
forest with her daughters-in-law Ambika and Ambalika. Ambalika eventually died in
the forest.