KASHYAPA

KASHYAPA or KASYAPA ,one of the saptrishis or 7 Rishis in hindu tradition.

1) His name is derived from sanskrit word for tortoise . Referring to his ascetic practice of withdrawing himself internally, like a tortoise does with limbs and head.

Kashyapa is also mentioned as the earliest rishi in verse 6.5.3 of Brihadaranyaka Upanishad.

2 ) Rishi Kashyapa is said to have drained the Kashmir valley to make it habitable. 

( In Buddhist texts he is known as KASSAPA in Pali or as Manujshri in Vajrayana Tibetan Buddhism )

3) At times, those who convert, revert to Hinduism or have lost the knowledge of their Gotra ( lineage ) are investitured with his name as their Gotra