Blessed with the radiance of Brahmanical austerity, a great ascetic named Somadā once approached a venerable sage, expressing her heartfelt desire. She yearned for a righteous son, one endowed with the power of penance and spiritual splendor. Somadā spoke with humility, saying, “I am without a husband and not anyone’s wife. Having come to you through Brahmanical means, O holy one, you alone are worthy to grant me a son.” The sage, pleased by her sincerity and virtue, granted her wish. From his mind, he bestowed upon her an excellent Brahmanical son, who came to be known as Brahmadatta, son of Cūlī. In time, Brahmadatta grew to possess supreme splendor and became king, residing in the illustrious city of Kāmpilya, shining like the lord of gods in heaven. Meanwhile, King Kuśanābha, righteous and noble, resolved to give his hundred daughters in marriage to Brahmadatta. Summoning the illustrious king, Kuśanābha, delighted in his heart, presented his daughters to Brahmadatta. In due order, Brahmadatta took each of their hands in marriage, just as the lord of gods embraces his consorts. At the very touch of Brahmadatta’s hand, the hundred maidens were freed from the deformity and affliction that had troubled them. They blossomed forth in supreme beauty, radiant and graceful. Seeing his daughters released from their suffering, King Kuśanābha was overwhelmed with joy, rejoicing again and again. After the marriage, Kuśanābha sent Brahmadatta, together with his new wives and accompanied by teachers, on his way. Somadā, witnessing her son perform noble deeds, and the Gandharva maiden, according to custom, joyfully welcomed their daughters-in-law. They touched them with affection and praised Kuśanābha for his righteousness. Now, let us turn to the thirty-fourth chapter of the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Bālakāṇḍa. When Brahmadatta had married and departed, the childless King Kuśanābha, longing for a grandson, performed a sacrifice to obtain a son. As the sacrifice was 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 obtain 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. Gādhi, noble and virtuous, became the father of Kauśika—Viśvāmitra himself, who now recounts this tale to Rāma, the delight of the Raghus. Viśvāmitra continues, “My elder sister, steadfast in virtue, is named Satyavatī, who was given in marriage to Ṛcīka. That supremely noble Satyavatī, following her husband, ascended to heaven in her own body and became the great river Kauśikī. Divine, pure, and beautiful, she rests upon the Himālaya, benefitting the world as the revered river Kauśikī. Thus, I dwell happily by the side of the Himālaya, united in affection with my sister Kauśikī, O Rāma. Satyavatī, established in truth and righteousness, devoted to her husband and greatly fortunate, became Kauśikī, the best of rivers. Indeed, O Rāma, by observance I left her and came here; I reached Siddhāśrama and have been perfected by your energy. This, O mighty-armed one, is the account of my birth, my lineage, and the land, as you have asked me. Midnight has passed as I have been telling these stories; seek sleep now, may good fortune be yours, and may nothing hinder our journey. All the trees are motionless, the wild animals and birds have withdrawn, and the directions are covered by the darkness of night. Twilight is slowly fading, and the sky, as if veiled by eyes, shines with the light of stars and constellations. The cool-rayed moon rises, dispelling the darkness of the world and delighting the minds of living beings with its radiance. All the night-dwelling beings move about here and there, as do hosts of yakṣas, rākṣasas, and fierce, flesh-eating spirits. Having spoken thus, the great sage Viśvāmitra became silent. All the sages honored him, exclaiming, ‘Excellent, excellent!’ They praised the lineage of the Kuśikas, noble souls devoted to righteousness, descendants of Kuśa, comparable to Brahma. Especially Viśvāmitra, renowned and illustrious, and Kauśikī, the best among rivers, bring glory to their lineage. Praised by the delighted sages, Viśvāmitra entered sleep, like the sun setting. Rāma, together with Saumitri, somewhat amazed, praised the foremost sage and then also took to sleep. Now begins the thirty-fifth chapter of the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Bālakāṇḍa. Having spent the remainder of the night on the banks of the Śoṇa, together with the great sages, when the night became very bright, Viśvāmitra spoke, “The night is bright, Rāma; the early dawn is beginning. Rise, rise, may all be well with you; prepare yourself for the journey.” Hearing these words, Rāma performed the morning rites and, ready to depart, spoke, “This Śoṇa river is beautiful, with pure water, deep, and adorned with sandbanks. By which path, O sage, shall we cross?