The hundred daughters of King Kuśanābha, steadfast in their virtue, spoke to the wind-god who had approached them with unrighteous intent. “May such a time never come, O misguided one,” they said, “when we would dishonor our truthful father. We ourselves, following the path of duty, seek a husband through him. Our father is our lord and our highest deity; whoever he gives us to shall be our husband.” But their words did not move the wind-god. Offended and enraged, the mighty Hari entered their bodies and, with his power, broke them—reducing the maidens to forms no larger than a finger. Terrified, their bodies twisted by the wind, the hundred sisters fled to their father’s palace, their hearts filled with agitation and their eyes brimming with tears. When King Kuśanābha beheld his beloved daughters in such distress, his heart was overcome with sorrow. He asked them, “What has happened, my daughters? Who has disregarded righteousness and brought you to this state? Why do you move about in silence, not speaking?” Sighing deeply, the king steadied himself, anxious for their reply. The wise King Kuśanābha listened as his hundred daughters, gathering courage, bowed at his feet and spoke: “O king, the wind, who pervades all, sought to violate us, forsaking righteousness. We are under our father’s authority, O blessed one, not independent. Let our father choose; if he gives us, then we are another’s. But the wind did not accept our words and, bound to sin, struck us harshly when we refused.” Hearing their account, the supremely righteous king addressed his daughters with gentle wisdom. “Patience is the highest virtue for those who are forbearing, my daughters. You have acted in unity and preserved our family’s honor. Adornment may be for women, but patience is for all, and even the gods find such forbearance difficult. The patience you have shown is itself charity, truth, and sacrifice. Patience is fame, patience is righteousness, and the world itself rests upon patience.” Having thus encouraged them, the mighty king let his daughters go, and together with his ministers, he began to consider carefully the proper time, place, and worthy recipient for their marriages. At that time, a radiant sage named Cūlī, steadfast in celibacy and virtuous conduct, was performing austerities nearby. A Gandharva maiden named Somadā, daughter of Ūrmilā, served him faithfully, her devotion shining through her actions. Pleased with her service, the sage one day spoke kindly to her: “I am pleased with you, Somadā. What boon shall I grant you?” Somadā, skillful and sweet in her speech, replied, “Blessed with Brahmanical splendor, O great ascetic, I desire a righteous son endowed with your penance. I am without a husband and not wedded to another; by Brahmanical means, you alone can grant me such a son.” The sage, pleased with her devotion, granted her a son born from his mind—a son of great excellence, named Brahmadatta. Brahmadatta grew to become a mighty king, ruling the city of Kāmpilya with splendor akin to Indra in heaven. Seeing this noble king, Kuśanābha resolved to give his hundred daughters to Brahmadatta. Summoning him, the delighted king gave all his daughters to the illustrious Brahmadatta, who in due course took their hands in marriage, as the lord of gods does with his consorts. At the very touch of Brahmadatta’s hand, the deformities and afflictions caused by the wind vanished, and the hundred maidens shone with supreme beauty once more. Seeing his daughters restored and freed from their suffering, King Kuśanābha rejoiced greatly. Having thus married his daughters, the king sent Brahmadatta away with his new brides, accompanied by teachers and well-wishers. Somadā, the Gandharva maiden, witnessing her son’s noble deeds and the arrival of her many daughters-in-law, welcomed them joyfully, praising King Kuśanābha for his righteousness. After Brahmadatta’s marriage and departure, King Kuśanābha, still without a son of his own, performed a great sacrifice to obtain an heir and secure his lineage. As the sacrifice proceeded, the supremely noble Kuśa, son of Brahmā, appeared to the king and spoke: “O son, a righteous son, equal to yourself, will be born to you. Through him, you will obtain Gādhi and everlasting fame in the world.” Having blessed Kuśanābha thus, Kuśa ascended into the sky and returned to the eternal world of Brahmā. In due time, a supremely righteous son was born to Kuśanābha, and he was named Gādhi. O descendant of Kakutstha, that Gādhi is my father; I am Kauśika, born in the noble lineage of Kuśa, O delight of the Raghus.