According to Brahmanda Purana, once during the Ashvamedha Yajna, king Janaka wanted to know who was the greatest brahmana called as Brahmistha among all those present there.
So, he brought a thousand cows, gold, jewels and servants to his court and announced that whoever considered himself the most knowledgeable might come forward and take away all these.
Suddenly Yajnavalkya asked his disciples to arrange for taking away all the wealth to his ashrama.
Aswala, Uddalaka Aruṇi, Kahola Kaushitaki, Gargi and the others who were present asked him several questions and he answered all of them.
However, when Yajnavalkya asked him a question related to kama, Shakalya did not know the answer and so he died there.