Shaunaka
Śaunaka
Compiler of the Atharvaveda Samhita and author of the Brihaddevata
Shaunaka compiled the most widely used recension of the Atharvaveda — the Shaunaka Samhita with 730 hymns. He also composed the Brihaddevata — the most comprehensive encyclopaedia of all Vedic deities. Without Shaunaka, much of the Atharvaveda might not have survived.
Key compositions
730 hymns in 20 books — the standard recension of the Atharvaveda as studied worldwide.
A complete guide to all Vedic deities — which deity is addressed in each hymn, their mythology, and their relationships. An indispensable reference for Vedic studies.
A key verse
काश्यप उवाच — कस्मिन् विज्ञाते सर्वमिदं विज्ञातं भवति ॥
Kashyapa asked: By knowing what, is all this known?
Mundaka Upanishad 1.1.3 — from the Atharvaveda, framing the quest for the knowledge of Brahman
Lineage & disciples
Lineage / Gotra
Gritsamada lineage
Notable disciples
His school continues — the Shaunaka recension is the standard Atharvaveda