Home | Biographies

A-J | K-M | N-S | T-Z | Others

Rishi Ashwalaayan was the disciple of the famous Rishi Shaunak Jee.   Belonging to the “forest tradition” of hermits and wandering holy men rather than to that of the priesthood, Ashwalaayan is mentioned as a teacher as well as a sage in Vaidik litanies and in the one text is invoked along with Indra and the “sons of Brahmaa.” He is described as a student of Shaunak Jee who composed many texts. Ashwalaayan Jee had a disciple named Kaatyaayan, and Kaatyaayan Jee's disciple was Patanjali.

Since Shaunak Jee is believed to be around 250 BC, as evident from the internal evidence available form Shree Shaunakeeya Vivaah Patal,  Ashwalaayan should also be living at the same time.

His Works
--Ashwalaayan Grihya Sootra is a very famous work of his.
--Ashwalaayan Shraut Sootra is also written by him - it is a Vaidik manual of sacrificial ceremonies composed for the use of the class of priests called Hotar, or Hotri or Hotaa, whose main function was to invoke the gods in a Yagya.

Home | Biographies

A-J | K-M | N-S | T-Z | Others