A sage praised many times in the Rigveda.

The king Kalinga had been childless for a long time. He called Deerkhatamas (Gautama) to the palace to impregnate the queen. The queen refused and sent Ushik to Deerkhatamas instead. The son born to them was Kakshivan as per Rigveda Mandala 1 Anuvaka 18 verse 125.

He belonged to the dynasty of Angiras and built a hermitage in the east as per Mahabharata Shantiparva Chapter 208 and Anushasanaparva Chapter 135. He chanted riks as prayers to Vishnu and was rewarded with many abilities as Mahabharata Shantiparva Chapter 292. He is also believed to be Indra’s guru and creator of the world as per Mahabharata Anushasanaparva Chapter 150.

According to Rigveda Mandala 1 Anuvaka 5 Sukta 18, he was one of the most famous yajna sages. The Ashwinis once gave him hundred pots of liquor to test him as per Rigveda Mandala 1 Anuvaka 17 Sukta 116.

After his education, kakshivan left his guru’s hermitage and rested during the night by the roadside. In the morning, Swanaya, son of the king  Bhavayavya came upon him. Swanaya wanted to make him his son-in-law and took him to the palace. He was also given a lot of presents as per Rigveda Mandala 1 Sukta 18 Anuvaka 125.