Amba (अम्बा) is the Sanskrit word for "mother." The eldest of three princesses of Kashi abducted by Bhishma for his half-brother Vichitravirya in the Mahabharata. Already in love with King Salva, she demanded release but he rejected her as 'damaged goods'; Bhishma also refused her. She undertook severe penance to die, be reborn, and avenge herself on Bhishma — reborn as Princess Shikhandini, transformed into the warrior Shikhandi who enabled Arjuna to slay Bhishma in the Kurukshetra War.
Featured throughout the Udyoga Parva and Bhishma Parva of the Mahabharata.
Amba reduces to nine — the number of Mahabharata avenging princess.