Ambika was the wife of Vichitravirya and the mother of Dhritarashtra in the Mahabharata. She was the second of the three daughters of the king of Kashi, the other two being Amba (elder) and Ambalika (younger). Having being brought to Hastinapura forcibly by Bhishma, Ambika had to marry Prince Vichitravirya, along with her sister, Ambalika, 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 Ambika. 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. Ambika felt so repulsed at the sight of Sage Vyasa that she shut her eyes tight during their conjuga