Kushika
An ancestor of Vishwamitra and the founder of the Kaushika line.
Accounts of this vary across texts and traditions. This entry primarily follows Valmiki Ramayana, with other tellings (Ramcharitmanas (Tulsidas), Regional and folk traditions) noted where relevant.
Kusika is a king of Kanyakubja (Kanauj), the ancestor of Vishwamitra, from whom the Kaushika clan takes its name.
Kusika was the father of Gadhi, whose son became the sage Vishwamitra. Vishwamitra is also called Kaushika ("descendant of Kusika").
This entry is independently written for myVamsam using the sources listed above. Where traditions differ, this entry identifies the relevant tradition rather than presenting one account as universally established fact.