With great reverence, King Kuśanābha addressed his daughters, praising their unity and patience. “Patience is the highest virtue for those who are forbearing, my daughters,” he said warmly. “You have acted together as one and upheld our family’s honor. While adornment is the ornament of women and patience is seen as the virtue of men, such steadfast forbearance is rare—even the gods struggle to achieve it. Yet you all, without exception, have displayed extraordinary patience. Patience, my daughters, is like charity, it is truth, it is sacrifice. It is the very foundation of fame and righteousness; indeed, the world itself rests upon patience.” Having spoken thus, the mighty king—equal to the gods—released his daughters. Then, together with his wise ministers, he deliberated carefully about the proper time, place, and recipient for their marriage. At that very time, a radiant sage named Cūlī, steadfast in celibacy and virtue, was performing intense Brahmanical austerities. As he carried out his penance, he was attended by Somadā, a Gandharva maiden and the daughter of Ūrmilā. She served him with great devotion, bowing before him and living righteously by his side. In due course, the sage was pleased with her faithful service. One day, he addressed her kindly, “I am pleased with you, Somadā. May good come to you. Tell me, what can I do to please you?” Recognizing the sage’s satisfaction, Somadā, skilled in gentle speech, replied with delight, “O great ascetic, blessed with Brahmanical splendor, I wish for a righteous son endowed with your austerity. I am unmarried and belong to no one; by the Brahmanical path I have approached you, and you are worthy to grant me a son.” Pleased by her words, the sage granted her an excellent son, born from his mind—Brahmadatta, son of Cūlī. This Brahmadatta grew to be a king of supreme splendor, ruling from the city of Kāmpilya, like the lord of the gods in heaven. King Kuśanābha, seeking a worthy husband for his hundred daughters, resolved to give them in marriage to this righteous Brahmadatta. Summoning him, the delighted king gave all his daughters to Brahmadatta, who married them in proper order, as the lord of gods might take his consorts. At the very touch of Brahmadatta’s hand, the daughters were freed from their deformity and suffering, and they shone forth with supreme beauty. Seeing his daughters released from their affliction, King Kuśanābha’s heart overflowed with joy and gratitude. Having married his daughters, the king sent Brahmadatta on his way, accompanied by his wives and their teachers. Somadā, the Gandharva maiden, witnessing her son’s noble deeds, joyfully welcomed her new daughters-in-law according to custom, touching them and praising King Kuśanābha. Now, O Rāma, listen to the next part of the tale. After Brahmadatta’s marriage and departure, the childless King Kuśanābha yearned for a son and performed a great sacrifice to obtain a grandson. As the sacrifice was underway, the supremely noble sage Kuśa, son of Brahmā, appeared and spoke to Kuśanābha: “O son, a virtuous son, equal to yourself, will be born to you. Through him, you will obtain Gādhi and everlasting fame in the world.” Having spoken, Kuśa ascended into the sky and departed for Brahmā’s eternal abode. In due time, to the wise Kuśanābha was born a supremely righteous son named Gādhi. O Rāma, that Gādhi is my father; I am Kauśika, born in the lineage of Kuśa. My elder sister, steadfast in virtue, is Satyavatī, who was given in marriage to the sage Ṛcīka. The noble Satyavatī, following her husband faithfully, ascended to heaven in her own body and became the great river Kauśikī. Divine, with pure and lovely waters, she rests upon the Himalaya, becoming a river for the welfare of the world. That is why, O Rāma, I dwell happily by the side of the Himalaya, united in affection with my sister, Kauśikī. Satyavatī, virtuous and devoted to truth, became the best of rivers, Kauśikī. For the sake of observance, I left her and came here, reaching Siddhāśrama and being perfected by your energy, O Rāma. This, then, is the story of my birth and lineage, and of this land, as you have asked, mighty-armed prince. Now, O descendant of Kakutstha, midnight has passed 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; darkness covers the directions, and night reigns. The twilight fades, and the sky, adorned with stars and constellations, shines like countless eyes. The cool-rayed moon rises, dispelling the darkness and delighting the hearts of all beings. Night-dwelling creatures move about, as do hosts of yakṣas, rākṣasas, and fierce, flesh-eating spirits.