Bhisma abducts the three princesses of Kashi, Amba, Ambika and Ambalika by force and brings them to Hastinapur to get them married to his brother Vichitravirya. Vichitravirya marries Ambika and Ambalika but dies without leaving an heir. Satyavati invokes the practice of Niyoga and asks Vyasa to father the children of Ambika and Ambalika.
The Story of Mahabharata begins with the tale of Vyasa and Ganesha's strange collaboration. We begin the narrative with King Shantanu's marriage with Ganga and Devabrata's birth and how prince Devabrata becomes the great Bhishma.