King Brahmadatta, radiant in his splendor, dwelt in the city of Kāmpilya, shining like the lord of gods in heaven. At this time, the virtuous King Kuśanābha resolved to give his hundred daughters in marriage to Brahmadatta. Summoning the illustrious king, Kuśanābha, delighted in his heart, offered his hundred daughters to Brahmadatta. In due order, Brahmadatta took each of their hands in marriage, just as the lord of gods accepts his consorts. Miraculously, at the very touch of Brahmadatta’s hand, the hundred maidens were freed from their deformity and affliction; they now shone forth with supreme beauty. Witnessing his daughters released from their suffering by the grace of the wind, King Kuśanābha was filled with immense joy, rejoicing again and again. After the marriage, Kuśanābha sent Brahmadatta, along with his new wives and accompanied by teachers, on their way. Somadā, the Gandharva maiden and mother of Brahmadatta, saw her son perform deeds befitting his noble nature. In accordance with custom, she joyfully welcomed her daughters-in-law, touching them and praising King Kuśanābha for his righteousness. Now begins the thirty-fourth canto of the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Bālakāṇḍa. When Brahmadatta had been married and departed, the childless King Kuśanābha, yearning for a son and a grandson, performed a sacrifice to obtain progeny. As the sacrifice was underway, the supremely noble Kuśa, son of Brahmā, approached 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 blessed Kuśanābha thus, Kuśa ascended into the sky and entered the eternal world of Brahmā. In due time, to the wise Kuśanābha, a supremely righteous son was born, named Gādhi. “O descendant of Kakutstha,” continued the sage, “that Gādhi, supremely righteous, is my father. I, Kauśika, am born in the lineage of Kuśa, O delight of the Raghus. My elder sister, steadfast in virtue, is named Satyavatī, who was given to Ṛcīka. That supremely noble Satyavatī, following her husband, ascended to heaven in her body and became the great river Kauśikī. Divine, with pure waters, lovely and resting upon the Himālaya, my sister Kauśikī became a river for the welfare of the world. Therefore, I dwell happily by the side of the Himālaya, united in affection with my sister Kauśikī, O delight of the Raghus. That virtuous Satyavatī, established in truth and righteousness, devoted to her husband, 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.” “O Rāma, this is the account of my birth and my lineage, and of the land, as you have asked me, O mighty-armed one. 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, O delight of the Raghus, 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, delighting the minds of living beings with its own 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, of immense brilliance, became silent. All the sages honored him, exclaiming, “Excellent, excellent!” They praised the lineage of the Kuśikas as great, always devoted to righteousness, declaring the descendants of Kuśa to be noble souls, comparable to Brahma and foremost among men. Especially, they acclaimed Viśvāmitra himself as renowned, and Kauśikī, the best among rivers, as bringing glory to his lineage. Praised by the delighted sages, the glorious son of Kuśika 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 his words, and having performed the morning rites, Rāma desired to depart and spoke: “This Śoṇa river is beautiful, with pure water, deep, and adorned with sandbanks. By which path, O sage, shall we cross?” Viśvāmitra replied, “This is the path I have indicated, by which the great sages travel.” Thus addressed by the wise Viśvāmitra, the great sages proceeded, observing the various forests as they journeyed. After traveling a long distance, when half the day had passed, they saw the Jāhnavī, the foremost river, frequented by sages.