People believe that the Kaundinya Gotra can be traced to a Rishi who lived in Mithila region of Bihar. His family members were:

• Wife - Shila of Vasishta Gotra
• Son - Sushila
• Father in Law - Sumantu

There were 10 to 12 important people from this lineage whose descendants are found in India and in parts of south-east Asia.

The first Kaundinya who went to Funan in Mekong Delta in Vietnam was supposed to have also come from Mithila in Bihar and was a Shaiva. Shaivism (worshiping Shiva) became the state religion of Cambuj (ancient name of Cambodia).