Kaashyapa (1)

Also known as Kanva.

The scriptures mention both Kashyapa and Kaashyapa as separate sages, but they have also been mentioned wrongly. All of the world’s living beings originated from Kashyapa. he was the son of Marichi and husband of Daksha’s daughters – Diti, Aditi etc. As per Shabdataravali, he drank liquor (kasha) and thus got his name.  But this is not corroborated in other scriptures.

Kaashyapa was the foster father of Shakuntala. The name was not because he was a descendant of Kashyapa. Kaashyapa’s antecedents are

Vishnu – Brahma- Atri – Chandra – Budha – Pururavas – Ayus – Nahusha – Yayati – Puru – Janamejaya – Prachinvan – Namasyu – Veetabhaya – Shundu – Bahuvidha – Samyati – Rahovadi – Bhadrashwa – Matinara – Pratiratha – Methathithi – Kanva. The sage is mentioned as Methathithisuta in Mahabharata Shantiparva Chapter 208 verse 27 and Agnipurana.

Kanva is also mentioned as Kaashyapa in the Mahabharata. He seems to have been a king who became a sage in the later stages of his life. Kanva’s father’s brother Santurodha was Dushyanta’s father as per Agnipurana. These are not confirmed in any other scripture.

The Devibhagavata Dwitiyaskanda and Mahabharata Adiparva have a story on Kaashyapa going to Parikshit to cure him of Thakshaka’s venom, and Thakshaka bribing him not to go there. But the secrets of venom treatment had been taught to Kashyapa by Brahma. See Kashyapa. So it must have been Kashyapa who was bribed by Thakshaka.

See Kanva for Kaashyapa and Shakuntala.

Rishyashringa’s father was also named Kaashyapa. It is not confirmed whether this was Kashyapa or Kaashyapa. See Rishyashringa.

Vishwakarma once donated land to Kaashyapa after a yajna, as per Mahabharata Vanaparva. See Kanva for more details.