In the second half of the 2nd sandhi of Ādiparva, Vaiśampāyana describes the Candravamśa lineage starting with Candra up until Śantanu. Then, he provides details on the birth of Bhīṣma through Śantanu and Gaṅgā, birth of Satyavati to Uparīcara Vasu, and the birth of Vedavyāsa through Parāśara and Satyavati.

Śantanu is smitten by Satyavati’s beauty, but when she refuses his proposal, he becomes distraught. On learning about this, Bhīṣma approaches Satyavati’s father and promises him that the children who will be born to her from her marriage with Śantanu will become the future kings of Hastināpura and that he will remain an eternal Brahmacārin. Pleased by his son’s vow, Śantanu bless him with Iccha-Maraṇa.

Soon, Citrāṅgada and Vicitravīrya are born to Satyavati from Śantanu. Soon Śantanu departs to the realm of Devas, and Citrāṅgada follows him soon after. Vicitravīrya becomes the king. Bhīṣma abducts Ambā, Ambika and Ambālika, the princesses of Kashi, from the Svayamvara-Sabha in order to wed them to his brother Vicitravīrya. Ambā refuses and insists that Bhīṣma himself should marry her. She enlists the help of Bhīṣma’s Guru Paraśurama to convince Bhīṣma. However, Bhīṣma fights Paraśurama for 21 days, and defeats his teacher in battle. Ambā curses Bhīṣma and goes away. With the powerful Bhīṣma as his aide, Vicitravīrya enjoys his time with his wives Ambika and Ambālika.

Audio Link: https://archive.org/download/kumaravyasa-bharata-recitation/Parva-01-Adiparva-002-Sandhi-Part-02-of-02.mp3