In due course, O descendant of Raghu, the great sage, his heart filled with satisfaction, turned to the Gandharva maiden and spoke kindly to her: “I am pleased with you—may all good come to you. Tell me, what can I do to please you?” Sensing his benevolence, the maiden, delighted and eloquent, addressed him in a sweet, gentle voice. With reverence, she said, “Blessed with Brahmanical splendor and austerity, O great ascetic, I desire a son—one who is righteous and endowed with the power of Brahmanical penance. I am without a husband and not bound as anyone’s wife; having come to you by Brahmanical means, you alone are worthy to grant me a son.” Pleased by her sincerity, the sage, a Brahmarṣi, bestowed upon her an excellent son, born of his mind—a son of great Brahmanical merit, who became known as Brahmadatta, the son of Cūlī. This Brahmadatta, resplendent and powerful, ruled in the city of Kāmpilya with supreme majesty, shining like the lord of gods in heaven. Later, O descendant of Kakutstha, the righteous King Kuśanābha resolved to give his hundred daughters in marriage to Brahmadatta. With joy in his heart, the king summoned the illustrious Brahmadatta and gave him his hundred daughters. In proper order, King Brahmadatta took each of their hands in marriage, just as the lord of gods unites with his consorts. At the very touch of Brahmadatta’s hand, the hundred maidens were instantly freed from their afflictions and deformities. They shone forth with supreme beauty, their radiance restored. Witnessing his daughters released from their suffering, King Kuśanābha was overwhelmed with delight, rejoicing again and again. Having married his daughters, the king sent Brahmadatta on his way, accompanied by his wives and honored teachers. Somadā, the Gandharva maiden, seeing her son perform deeds befitting his lineage, welcomed her daughters-in-law with joy, as was the custom. She touched them, praised King Kuśanābha, and celebrated the union. Now, O Rāma, listen to the next chapter of this tale. When Brahmadatta had departed with his wives, the childless King Kuśanābha, desiring a son and a grandson, performed a great sacrifice. As the sacred rites were underway, the supremely noble Kuśa, son of Brahmā, appeared before Kuśanābha and spoke: “O son, a righteous son, equal to yourself, will be born to you. Through him you will have a son named Gādhi, and your fame will be everlasting in this world.” Having thus spoken, Kuśa ascended into the sky and returned to the eternal world of Brahmā. In due time, a supremely righteous son was indeed born to the wise Kuśanābha, and he was named Gādhi. O descendant of Kakutstha, that Gādhi is my father, and I, Kauśika, am born in the noble lineage of Kuśa, O delight of the Raghus. My elder sister, steadfast in virtue, is named Satyavatī; she was given in marriage to the sage Ṛcīka. That supremely noble Satyavatī, devoted to her husband, ascended to heaven in her very body and became the great river Kauśikī. Divine and pure, her lovely waters now rest upon the Himalaya, and she became a sacred 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 Rāma. That virtuous Satyavatī, established in truth and righteousness, became Kauśikī, the best of rivers. Indeed, O Rāma, by observing my vows I left her side and came here; I reached Siddhāśrama and have been perfected by your energy. Thus, O mighty-armed one, I have recounted to you the story of my birth, my lineage, and this land, as you asked. O descendant of Kakutstha, midnight has now passed as I have told these stories. Seek rest now; may good fortune be yours and may nothing hinder our journey. All the trees stand motionless, the wild animals and birds have withdrawn, and the directions are shrouded in the darkness of night. Twilight is slowly fading, and the sky, as if veiled by countless eyes, shines with the light of stars and constellations. The cool-rayed moon rises, dispelling the darkness and delighting the minds of all living beings with its gentle radiance. Night-dwelling creatures roam here and there, as do hosts of yakṣas, rākṣasas, and fierce, flesh-eating spirits. Having spoken thus, the great sage of immense brilliance fell silent. All the assembled sages honored him, exclaiming, “Excellent, excellent!” They praised the great lineage of the Kuśikas, ever devoted to righteousness, declaring the descendants of Kuśa to be noble souls, comparable to Brahmā and foremost among men. Especially you, illustrious Viśvāmitra, are renowned, and Kauśikī, the best among rivers, brings glory to your lineage. Praised by the delighted sages, the glorious son of Kuśika entered into sleep, like the sun setting at dusk. Rāma, together with his brother Saumitri, marveled at the sage’s greatness, offered their own praises, and then also took to their rest. With the coming of dawn, the thirty-fifth chapter begins. Having spent the remainder of the night on the banks of the Śoṇa river with the great sages, as the night brightened and the early dawn approached, Viśvāmitra spoke: “The night is now bright, Rāma; the early dawn is beginning. Rise, rise, may all be well with you; prepare yourself for the journey.