Discover the epic tale of Kusa's sons and Kusanabha's daughters as they face the wrath of the Wind God in this ancient Sanskrit classic from the Ramayana. 

The Sons of Brahma and the Dynasty of Kusanabha (Shlokas 1.32.1 - 1.32.14)

The Great Ascetic Kusa (Shlokas 1.32.1 - 1.32.3)

There was a great ascetic named Kusa, born to Brahma (the creator god). Kusa was:

• Tireless in his vows

• Knowledgeable in dharma (righteousness)

• Respectful of virtuous people

Kusa married a princess from Vidarbha who came from a noble family and was well-suited to him. Together, they had four virtuous sons who resembled their father:

1. Kusamba

2. Kusanabha

3. Adhurtarajas

4. Vasu

Kusa's Instructions to His Sons (Shlokas 1.32.4 - 1.32.5)

Kusa addressed his four brilliant sons, who were:

• Enthusiastic

• Pious

• Truthful

• Committed to the duties of the warrior class

He said, "My sons, govern with righteousness, and you will gain great merit."

The Four Cities (Shlokas 1.32.6 - 1.32.7)

Heeding their father's words, the four sons, revered in the world, built four cities as their capitals:

1. Kusamba constructed Kaushambi

2. Kusanabha built Mahodaya

3. Adhurtarajas created Dharmaranya

4. Vasu established Girivraja

The Land of Vasu (Shlokas 1.32.8 - 1.32.10)

Rama, the land where we are now, called Vasumati, belonged to the great Vasu. It is surrounded by five magnificent mountains. The delightful and renowned river Sumagadhi (also known as Sona) flows through the country of Magadha, appearing like a garland amidst the five great mountains.

The Hundred Daughters of Kusanabha (Shlokas 1.32.11 - 1.32.14)

The virtuous Kusanabha, now a rajarshi (a king who lives like a sage), had a hundred extremely beautiful daughters with a nymph named Ghritachi. These young maidens:

• Were adorned with fine ornaments

• Went to a pleasure garden

• Sang, danced, and played instruments

• Moved about in great delight

They appeared like:

• Lightning in the rainy season

• Stars amidst clouds

The Wind God's Proposal and Its Consequences (Shlokas 1.32.15 - 1.32.26)

The Wind God's Desire (Shlokas 1.32.15 - 1.32.17)

The all-pervading Wind God (Vayu), upon seeing the maidens endowed with all virtues, youth, and beauty, addressed them:

"I desire all of you to be my wives. If you agree:

• You will abandon your mortal nature

• You will attain a long life

• You will gain permanent youth

• You will become immortal like the gods (devas)"

The Wind God explained, "Youth is always fleeting, especially in humans. But with me, you will be ever youthful."

The Maidens' Response (Shlokas 1.32.18 - 1.32.22)

Hearing these words from the Wind God, known for his untiring nature, the hundred maidens laughed and replied:

"O best among the gods, we know your power. You move within all living beings. Why do you insult us? We, the daughters of Kusanabha, are capable of bringing you down from your position. However, we choose to protect our ascetic merit as virgins."

They continued, "O foolish one, do not dishonor our truthful father. We will serve the bridegrooms our father chooses for us, following our duty (dharma). Our father is:

• Our lord

• Our supreme god

• The one who will decide our husbands"

They concluded, "Whomever our father gives us to, he will become our husband."

The Wind God's Wrath (Shlokas 1.32.23 - 1.32.24)

Enraged by the maidens' words, the powerful and venerable Wind God:

• Entered their bodies

• Twisted and distorted their limbs

The maidens, their bodies now disfigured:

• Entered the king's palace

• Fell to the ground

• Were agitated and overtaken by shame

• Had tears flowing from their eyes

King Kusanabha's Reaction (Shlokas 1.32.25 - 1.32.26)

King Kusanabha, seeing his beloved daughters distressed and deformed, spoke with bewilderment:

"My daughters, what has happened?

• Who has disregarded virtue (dharma)?

• Who has made you hunchbacked?

• Why are you silent as you stand around me?"

The king, sighing deeply, then entered a state of samadhi (deep meditation) to understand the situation.

Thus ends the thirty second sarga (chapter) of Balakanda (The Book of Youth) of the holy Ramayana, the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.