Long ago, there lived a great and revered ascetic named Kuśa, who was born from Brahma himself. Firm in his vows, Kuśa was deeply learned in the ways of righteousness and honored by all the virtuous. Endowed with immense strength and a noble spirit, Kuśa married a virtuous woman from Vidarbha, and together they had four sons, each worthy of his lineage. These sons were named Kuśāmba, Kuśanābha, Asūrtarajas, and Vasu. Each was radiant, energetic, and devoted to upholding the sacred duties of the warrior class. Seeing their virtues, Kuśa gathered his sons and addressed them with wisdom and affection: “My sons, rule well and uphold righteousness; by this, you will attain great merit.” Heeding their father’s words, the four noble princes set out to establish their own realms. Kuśāmba, shining with great splendor, founded the city of Kauśāmbī. Kuśanābha, righteous in soul, established the city of Mahodaya. Asūrtarajas, the king, created the city called Dharmāraṇya, and Vasu, the noble ruler, founded the excellent city of Girivraja. O Rāma, this very land is that of the great soul Vasu, and all around, five magnificent mountains gleam in their glory. Flowing among these mountains is the delightful river Sumāgadhī, famed among the Māgadhas, gracing the landscape like a garland. This Māgadhī river, belonging to the great Vasu, has long been cherished—its fertile banks yielding abundant crops. In time, Kuśanābha, the royal sage, righteous and steadfast, fathered a hundred incomparable daughters with the celestial nymph Ghṛtācī. These maidens, radiant in youth and beauty, splendidly adorned, entered the blossoming gardens like a hundred rivers surging in the rainy season. Singing, dancing, and playing instruments, adorned with the finest ornaments, they delighted in the supreme joys of youth. Their beauty was unmatched on earth, and as they entered the gardens, they shone like stars among the clouds. As the maidens moved through the gardens, their virtues and beauty caught the attention of the wind-god, lord of all beings. Approaching them, he said, “I desire you all. Become my wives, and abandon your human state. In return, you will obtain long life and unfading youth, becoming immortal. Among humans, youth is fleeting, but with me, you shall never grow old.” Hearing these words of the wind-god, who moves effortlessly through all beings, the hundred maidens laughed and replied, “O best of the gods, you pervade all and all know your power. Why do you disregard us? We are the daughters of Kuśanābha, and we practice austerity to preserve our place and honor. May such a time never come when you would dishonor our truthful father. We seek a husband only through him, for our father is our lord and our highest deity. Whoever he gives us to, he shall be our husband.” Enraged by their refusal, the god Hari entered their bodies with his mighty power and broke them, twisting their forms so they became bent and crooked, reduced to the size of a finger. Terrified and agitated, the maidens returned to the king’s palace, their modesty intact but their eyes filled with tears. Seeing his beloved daughters so afflicted and distressed, King Kuśanābha was deeply troubled and asked, “What has happened, my daughters? Who has disregarded righteousness and caused you such harm? Who has made you all crooked? You move about but do not speak.” Sighing deeply, the king composed himself and awaited their reply. The hundred maidens, touching their father’s feet with their heads, spoke: “O king, the wind, who pervades all, sought to violate us, following an unrighteous path. We are under your authority, father, not independent. If you give us to him, then we are his, but he did not accept our words. Because of this, he struck us harshly and broke our forms.” Hearing their words, the supremely righteous king, radiant in his virtue, replied, “Patience is the greatest duty of those who are forbearing, my daughters. You have acted together and preserved our lineage. Adornment is for women, but patience is for men; yet, such forbearance is difficult even for the gods. The patience you have all shown is truly remarkable. Patience is charity, patience is truth, patience is sacrifice. Patience is fame, patience is righteousness, and upon patience the world rests.” Having thus addressed his daughters, the mighty king let them go and then, skilled in counsel, deliberated with his ministers about their marriage, considering the proper place, time, and suitable recipient. At that very time, a radiant sage named Cūlī, steadfast in celibacy and virtuous conduct, was engaged in deep Brahmanical austerity. While he practiced penance, a Gandharva maiden named Somadā, daughter of Ūrmilā, attended upon him. Bowing before the sage, she devoted herself to his service, and living righteously by his side for a time, she pleased her noble teacher.