The youngest among the daughters of the king of Kashi, and his wife, Kausalya. Her sisters were Amba and Ambika. Shantanu’s son Vichitravirya married Ambika and Ambalika.

Vichitravirya died before producing an heir, so his mother, Satyavati called her other son Vyasa to do the needful. She asked Vyasa to impregnate Ambika, since she was the elder one among Vichitravirya’s wives. But Ambika disapproved of Vyasa, with his matted hair and dark skin. She finally succumbed to Satyavati’s requests, but closed her eyes during the act. She gave birth to Dhritarashtra, who turned out to be blind. Satyavati was disappointed and called Vyasa again, and asked him to impregnate Ambalika this time. Ambalika blanched on seeing Vyasa and a pale looking son was born to her, Pandu. Disappointed yet again, Satyavati asked Vyasa to impregnate Ambika once more. This time, Ambika sent her maid, who had no qualms about Vyasa and enjoyed the act. To her was born the wise Vidura, as per Mahabharata Chapter 106.