Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c7.2243

c7.2243

KAUŚIKA VI. A hermit. This ancient hermit lived in Kurukṣetra. His sons Svasṛpa, Krodhana, Hiṃsra, Piśuna, Kavi, Vāgduṣṭa, and Pitṛvarttī lived with hermit Garga for learning under him. Their names indicated their character. Their father died. The sons were in poverty. At this time rain ceased altogether. Garga asked his disciples to take his milch cow to the forest for grazing. Owing to hunger the brothers decided to kill and eat the cow. But the youngest said: "If you are bent on killing the cow, we had better make use of it as an offering to the Manes, and no sin will visit us."