Hearing the words of his hundred excellent daughters, King Kuśanābha, radiant and supremely righteous, addressed them with gentle wisdom. “Patience, my daughters, is the highest duty for those who are forbearing. You have acted together in unity and preserved the honor of our lineage. For women, adornment is natural, but for men, patience is the true ornament—yet even for the gods, such forbearance is rare and difficult. The patience you have all displayed, without exception, is itself charity, truth, and sacrifice. Patience brings fame and righteousness; indeed, the very world rests upon patience.” Having spoken thus to his daughters, the mighty king, as resplendent as the gods, let them go. Turning his mind to their future, Kuśanābha, skilled in counsel, gathered his ministers and deliberated carefully over the proper time, place, and worthy recipient for his daughters’ hands in marriage. At that very time, a radiant sage named Cūlī, steadfast in his vows of celibacy and virtuous conduct, was engaged in deep Brahmanical austerities. As he practiced penance, a Gandharva maiden named Somadā, daughter of Ūrmilā, humbly served him. Devoted and respectful, she attended to the sage with unwavering righteousness, and in time, her sincere service pleased him. When the time was right, the sage spoke kindly to Somadā: “I am pleased with you, O maiden. May good be yours—tell me, what can I do to bring you happiness?” Recognizing his satisfaction, Somadā, delighted and skilled in speech, replied sweetly, “Blessed with Brahmanical splendor and ascetic power, O great sage, I desire a righteous son endowed with your spiritual vigor. I am without a husband, and not anyone’s wife; by Brahmanical means I have approached you, and you alone are worthy to grant me this boon.” Pleased by her devotion, the sage granted her wish, and from his mind was born an excellent son—Brahmadatta, son of Cūlī. This Brahmadatta, resplendent and mighty, came to rule the city of Kāmpilya, shining with a splendor like the lord of the gods in heaven. King Kuśanābha, recognizing a worthy match, resolved to give his hundred daughters to Brahmadatta. Summoning him with joy in his heart, the king bestowed all his daughters upon the illustrious Brahmadatta. In due order, Brahmadatta took their hands in marriage, as the lord of gods does with his consorts. At the very touch of his hand, the daughters were freed from their deformity and suffering, and all hundred shone forth in supreme beauty. Beholding his daughters thus released from their affliction, King Kuśanābha was filled with boundless delight, rejoicing again and again. Having given his daughters in marriage, the king sent Brahmadatta, accompanied by his new wives and their teachers, on his way. Somadā, the Gandharva maiden, seeing her son perform such worthy deeds, welcomed her daughters-in-law according to custom, touching them with affection and praising Kuśanābha for his virtue. Now, listen to the next chapter of this tale. After Brahmadatta’s marriage and departure, the childless King Kuśanābha, desiring a grandson, undertook a great sacrifice to obtain a son. As the sacrifice was underway, the supremely noble Kuśa, son of Brahmā, appeared and spoke to Kuśanābha: “O son, a righteous son, equal to yourself, will be born to you. Through him, you will gain Gādhi and everlasting fame in the world.” Having spoken thus, Kuśa ascended into the sky and returned to the eternal world of Brahmā. In due time, to the wise Kuśanābha was born a supremely righteous son named Gādhi. O descendant of Kakutstha, that Gādhi is my father; I am Kauśika, born in the lineage of Kuśa, O delight of the Raghus. My elder sister, O Rāghava, steadfast in virtue, is named Satyavatī, who was given in marriage to the sage Ṛcīka. That noble Satyavatī, following her husband in righteousness, ascended to heaven in her very body and became the great river Kauśikī. Divine and pure, with lovely waters resting upon the Himalaya, my sister Kauśikī became a river for the welfare of the world. Thus, I dwell happily by the side of the Himalaya, united in affection with my sister Kauśikī, O delight of the Raghus. That virtuous Satyavatī, established in truth and righteousness, devoted to her husband, became Kauśikī, the best of rivers. Indeed, O Rāma, after fulfilling my observances, I left her and came here, arriving at Siddhāśrama, where I have been perfected by your presence and energy. O Rāma, this is the account of my birth, my lineage, and my homeland, as you have asked, O mighty-armed one. Now, O descendant of Kakutstha, the night is far advanced as I have recounted these stories. Seek rest now, may good fortune be yours, and may nothing hinder our journey. All the trees stand still, the wild animals and birds have withdrawn, and the directions are enveloped in the darkness of night. Twilight slowly fades, and the sky, as if adorned with countless eyes, sparkles with the light of stars and constellations. The cool-rayed moon rises, dispelling the world’s darkness and delighting the minds of all beings with its gentle radiance.