Vedic Index of Names and Subjects v1.c3.s11.628

v1.c3.s11.628

Kuśika is the probably mythical forefather¹ of the Kuśikas, and especially the father of the most important member of that family, Viśvāmitra.² The Kuśikas are repeatedly referred to in the third Maṇḍala of the Rigveda,³ and figure in the legend of Śunaḥśepa in the Aitareya Brāhmaṇa.⁴ They were clearly a family of priests who attached themselves to the service of the princes of the Bharatas. They were especially devoted to the worship of Indra; hence he is styled Kauśika even in the Rigveda.⁵