Kakshasena
Kakshasena was a rājarshi (a king who lived as a ṛshi). The Mahābhārata names him in the Anuśāsana Parva as one of the great examples of dāna (giving). He gave all that he owned to the great ṛshi Vasishṭha. He then took saṃnyāsa (renunciation) and became very famous.
The gift to Vasishṭha
In the Anuśāsana Parva, Bhīshma names the kings who reached svarga (heaven) through dāna. Kakshasena is named there as a rājarshi and a mahātmā (great soul). He followed the vidhi (rule) laid down in the śāstras and made a complete nyāsa (a formal gift of renunciation) of all his possessions to the great Vasishṭha. Having given away everything, he took up saṃnyāsa. Through this act he became ghana-kīrti, one of dense, abundant fame.
His story belongs to a long list of rājarshis who reached the highest lokas by a complete act of giving. He gave not only a part of his wealth but all of it. It was handed over formally through nyāsa and ended in renunciation itself.
Also named in the Aśvamedhika Parva
The Mahābhārata names Kakshasena again in the Aśvamedhika Parva, in the teaching on hiṃsā (harm) and dharma. He is listed among the rājarshis and munis who reached parama-siddhi (the highest perfection) through tapas (austerity) and through dāna that was justly earned and truthfully given. The others named with him are Viśvāmitra, Asita, Janaka, Ārshisheṇa and Sindhudvīpa.
Sources
- Mahābhārata, Anuśāsana Parva, Chapter 137
- Mahābhārata, Aśvamedhika Parva, Chapter 91