In the Mahabharata, Amba was the eldest daughter of the King of Kashi. Along with her sisters Ambika and Ambalika, she was won in a swayamvara by Bhishma, who abducted them for his brother Vichitravirya to marry. However, Amba revealed she was already in love with Shalva (Shalvaraj), the King of Saubha, and had chosen him as her husband. Bhishma honored her choice and released her to go to Shalva, though Shalva later rejected her, leading to the complex tragedy that culminated in her vow of revenge against Bhishma.