According to the Purāṇas (Puranas), Ādya (Adya) is one of the ṛṣivaṁśas (rishivamsa; hereditory or disciple-wise line of sages) belonging to Sage Viśvāmitra (Viswamitra), who came of the gotra (clan) of Sage Kauśika (Kausika). According to the geneological or disciple-wise tradition associated with Viśvāmitra, they were also known as Kauśika.