Maharishi Kakshivat
Other names: Kakṣīvat; Kaksivat; Kākṣīvat. A Vedic sage associated with the Angirasa line and described as a mantrakṛt, or maker of sacred hymns. Traditions identify him with the line of Dīrghatamas, and his daughter Ghosha is also remembered as a composer of Vedic verses.
“And King Vali said, ‘O illustrious one, it behoveth thee to raise upon my wife a few sons that shall be virtuous and wise.’.. Thy unfortunate queen Sudeshna, seeing me blind and old, insulted me by not coming herself but sending unto me, instead, her nurse.’ ..The king then pacified that best of Rishis and sent unto him his queen Sudeshna. The Rishi by merely touching her person said to her, ‘Thou shalt have five children named Anga, Vanga, Kalinga, Pundra and Suhma, who shall be like unto Surya (Sun) himself in glory. And after their names as many countries shall be known on earth. It is after their names that their dominions have come to be called Anga, Vanga, Kalinga, Pundra and Suhma.’ “It was thus that the line of Vali was perpetuated, in days of old, by a great Rishi. And it was thus also that many mighty bowmen and great car-warriors wedded to virtue, sprung in the Kshatriya race from the seed of Brahmanas. Hearing this, O mother, do as thou likest, as regards the matter in hand.'” – The Mahabharata, Book 1: Adi Parva: Sambhava Parva: Section CV
