That high-souled one beget on Vaidarbha, sprung from a respectable line and endowed with all noble qualities, four sons like to himself, and possessed of extraordinary prowess-Kuśămba, and Kušanābha, and Asūrtarajas, and Vasu, resplendent and breathing exhaustless spirits. And with the desire of enhancing Kșetrya merit, Kuśa said to his truthful and virtuous sons"You sons! do you engage in the task of governing, and thereby acquire immense merit.'
स महात्मा कुलीनायां युक्तायां सुमहाबलान्। वैदां जनयामास चतुरः सदृशान् सुतान्॥ कुशाम्बं कुशनाभं च असूर्तरजसं वसुम्। दीप्तियुक्तान् महोत्साहान् क्षत्रधर्मचिकीर्षया॥ तानुवाच कुशः पुत्रान् धर्मिष्ठान् सत्यवादिनः। क्रियतां पालनं पुत्रा धर्मं प्राप्स्यथ पुष्कलम्॥