# शौनक (śaunaka)

Canonical page: https://sanskritlexicon.com/word/shaunaka

शौनक (śaunaka) is a Sanskrit word meaning the descendants and pupils of Shaunaka, a work of the Shaunakas, the name of an ancient sage and legislator older than Manu, name of an inspired legislator before Manu, his descendants and his school, a celebrated grammarian. Its 21 recorded definitions are grouped into 6 contexts, among them Diverse Figures and Mentions of Śaunaka, The Renowned Scholar Śaunaka, Śaunaka the Legislator.

- **SLP1:** `SOnaka`  **IAST:** śaunaka  **Devanagari:** शौनक
- **Wikipedia:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaunaka
- **Declensions:** 48 forms — https://sanskritlexicon.com/word/shaunaka/declensions.md

## Meanings by context

### Diverse Figures and Mentions of Śaunaka (7 definitions)
- a descendant of Bhrigu  
  *Index to the Names in the Mahabharata*
  > शौनक (śaunaka) [Printed book page 199-1 ] Śaunaka 1, a descendant of Bhṛgu, at whose sacrifice Ugraśravas recited the Mhbhr. § 1 (Anukram.): I, 1, 1 (performed a twelve years' sacrifice in the Naimiṣa wood; Ugraśravas recited the Mhbhr.).—§ 10 (Parvasaṅgr.): I, 2, 303.—§ 18 (Paulomap.): I, 4, ††851, 854, 862.—§ 19 (do., Bhṛgu): I, 5, (863) (the ancestors of Ś. from Bhṛgu to Śunaka, the pūrvapitāmaha of Ś., enumerated).—§ 20 (do., Pulomā): I, 5, (874).—§ 26 (Āstīkap., Jaratkāru): I, 13, (1020) (C. has S°), (1024) (do.), 1027 (do.).—§ 27 (do., Kaśyapa): I, 16, (1069).—§ 28 (do., Amṛtamanthana): I, 17, 1097 (C. has S°).—§ 45 (do., Vālikhilya): I, 31, (1436).—§ 46 (do., Garuḍa): I, 34, 1525.—§ 47 (do., Sarpanāmak.): I, 35, (1546).—§ 48 (do., Śeṣa): I, 36, (1565).—§ 50 (do., Jaratkāru): I, 40, 1655.—§ 51 (do., Parikṣit): I, 40, 1659, (1660); 43, 1796.—§ 53 (do., Jaratkāru): I, 46, 1856.—§ 56 (do., Parikṣit): I, 49, (1933).—§ 59 (do., Sarpasattra): I, 53, 2041 (C. has S°)— § 63 (do., do.): I, 57, (2142).—§ 68 (do., Āstīka): I, 58, (2169).—§ 70 (Ādivaṃśāvatāraṇap.): I, 59, (2198), (2203).— § 717 b (Nārāyaṇīya): XII, 340, 13005; 341, (13007); 344, (13304), 13311; 347 δδ, 13442; 348, (13449).— § 795 c (Mahābhārata): XVIII, 5, 201. Cf. Bhārgava, Bhārgavottama, Bhṛguśārdūla, Bhṛgūdvaha, Bhṛgukulodvaha, Bhṛgunandana. [ ID=2579 ]
- a sage  
  *Index to the Names in the Mahabharata*
  > Śaunaka 2, a ṛṣi. § 309 (Āraṇyakap.): III, 2, 61 ( Yoge Sāṅkhye ca kuśalaḥ ), (110) (instructs Yudhiṣṭhira).—§ 310 (do.): III, 3, 131.—§ 324 (Dvaitavanaprav.): III, 26 α, 986 (worships Yudhiṣṭhira).—§ 376 (Tīrthayātrāp.): III, 85, 8264. [ ID=2580 ]
- Indrota  
  *Index to the Names in the Mahabharata*
  > Śaunaka 3 = Indrota: XII, 5595 ( I° ), 5601 ( I° ), 5616, 5621, (5622), 5627, (5628), (5635), 5673 ( I° ). [ ID=2581 ]
- son of Shunaka and grandson of Ruru  
  *Index to the Names in the Mahabharata*
  > Śaunaka 4. § 736 b (Vītahavyop.): XIII, 30, 2005 (son of Śunaka and grandson of Ruru of Vītahavya's race). Cf. Śaunaka 1. [ ID=2582 ]
- of Bhargava gotra  
  *The Purana Index*
  > [Printed book page 3-469 ] Śaunaka (II) — of Bhārgava gotra. M. 195. 18. [ ID=14805 ]
- 1. A son of Gritsamada. 2. A propagator of varna dharma.  
  *The Purana Index*
  > Śaunaka (IV) — a son of Gṛtasamada; a propagator of varṇa dharma. Vi. IV. 8. 6. [ ID=14807 ]
- A common patronymic meaning descendant of Shunaka, applied to several teachers and historical figures, and notably to a great authority on grammar and ritual.  
  *The Vedic Index of Names and Subjects*
  > शौनक (śaunaka) [Printed book page 2-396 ] Śaunaka, ‘descendant of Śunaka,’ is a common patronymic. It is applied to Indrota 1 and Svaidāyana. 2 A Śaunaka appears as a teacher of Rauhiṇāyana in the Bṛhadāraṇyaka Upaniṣad. 3 A Śaunaka-yajña, or Śaunaka sacrifice, occurs in the Kauṣitaki Brāhmaṇa. 4 In the Chāndogya Upaniṣad 5 Atidhanvan Śaunaka appears as a teacher. That Upaniṣad 6 and the Jaiminīya Upaniṣad Brāhmaṇa 7 mention a Śaunaka Kāpeya who was a contemporary of Abhipratārin Kākṣaseni, whose Purohita Śaunaka was according to another passage 8 of the latter Upaniṣad. In the Sūtras, the Bṛhaddevatā, etc., a Śaunaka appears as a great authority on grammatical, ritual, and other matters. 9 [ Footnote: 1) Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa, xiii. 5, 3, 5; 4, 1.] [ Footnote: 2) Ibid., xi. 4, 1, 2.] [ Footnote: 3) ii. 5, 20; iv. 5, 26 Mādhyaṃdina.] [ Footnote: 4) iv. 7.] [ Footnote: 5) i. 9, 3.] [ Footnote: 6) iv. 3, 5. 7.] [ Footnote: 7) iii. 1, 21.] [ Footnote: 8) i. 59, 2.] [ Footnote: 9) Cf. Weber, Indian Literature, 24, 32-34, 49, 54, 56, 59, 62, 85, 143; Macdonell, Bṛhaddevatā, 1, xxiii; Keith, Aitareya Āraṇyaka, 18, 19, 297.] [ ID=3349 ]

### The Renowned Scholar Śaunaka (7 definitions)
- The name of various authors and teachers, especially a celebrated grammarian  
  *Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899)*
  > (H1) [Printed book page 1093,1] शौनक (śaunaka) m. ( patr. fr. शुनक (śunaka) g. बिदा (bidā) दि (di) ) N. of various authors and teachers (also with Indrota and Svaidāyana; esp. of the celebrated grammarian, author of the Ṛg-veda Prātiśākhya, the Bṛhad-devatā, and various other works; he is described as the teacher of Kātyāyana and especially of Āśvalāyana; he is said to have united the Bāṣkala and Śākala Śākhās, and is sometimes identified with the Vedic Ṛṣi Gṛtsa-mada; but according to the Viṣṇu-Purāṇa, Ś° was a son of Gṛtsamada, and originated the system of four castes; he is quoted in Āśvalāyana-śrauta-sūtra (Title); Atharva-veda-prātiśākhya (Title) & Vājasaneyi-saṃhitā-prātiśākhya (Title); the various legends about him are very confused), Śatapatha-brāhmaṇa (Title); Upaniṣad (Literary category); Mahābhārata (Title) &c. [ ID=221821 ]
- 1. A celebrated grammarian to whom numerous works on the Veda are attributed. 2. His descendants and his school.  
  *Macdonell Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > शौनक (śaunaka) [Printed book page 319-2 ] शौनक (śaunaka) śaúnaka, m. pat. ( fr. śunaka), esp. of a celebrated grammarian to whom numerous ( ten ) works on the Veda are attributed : pl. his descendants and his school : ī-ya, a. composed by Śaunaka. [ ID=18194 ]
- Name of a celebrated sage  
  *Vaidya Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > शौनक (śaunaka) [Printed book page 729-35 ] शौनक (śaunaka) m. Name of a celebrated sage, the reputed author of the Ṛigveda Prātiśākhya. [ ID=38401 ]
- 1. A celebrated grammarian. 2. His descendants or followers.  
  *Cappeller Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > शौनक (śaunaka) [Printed book page 557 ] शौनक (śaunaka) m. patron. of a celebrated grammarian; pl. his descendants or followers, f. ई (ī) his work. [ ID=33178 ]
- Name of a celebrated ancient sage and author of various Vedic works and law treatises.  
  *Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1872)*
  > शौनक (śaunaka) [Printed book page 1022-a ] शौनक (śaunaka) śaunaka, as, m., N. of the reputed author of the Ṛg-veda Prātiśākhya and of certain Kalpa-sūtras and various other Vedic compositions and works on law, (he is described as the teacher of Kātyāyana and especially of Āśvalāyana; he is said to have united the Bāṣkala and Śākala Śākhās, and is sometimes identified with the Vedic Ṛṣi Gṛtsa-mada; but according to the Viṣṇu-Purāṇa, Śaunaka was a son of Gṛtsa-mada, and originated the system of four castes; the various legends about him are very confused.) —Śaunaka-kalpa-sūtra, am, n., N. of certain Kalpa-sūtras (ascribed to Śaunaka and supposed to have been destroyed by the author). —Śaunaka-gṛhya-sūtra, am, n. the Gṛhya-sūtras of the Ṛg-veda ascribed to Śaunaka. —Śaunakānukramaṇī (°ka-an°), f. an Anukra- maṇī or Vedic index ascribed to Śaunaka. —Śauna- kāraṇyaka (°ka-ār°), am, n. an Āraṇyaka ascribed to Śaunaka (probably identified with the Aitareyā- raṇyaka). —Śaunakopaniṣad (°ka-up°), t, f., N. of an Upaniṣad. [ ID=47243 ]
- A son of Shunaka and a great sage of the Rig Veda school.  
  *The Purana Index*
  > शौनक (śaunaka) [Printed book page 3-468 ] Śaunaka (I) — a son of Śunaka; a great sage of the Ṛg Veda school. A kulapati; addressed Sūta as to the circum- stances of the composition of the Bhāgavata Purāṇa; 1 had his residence in Naimiṣālaya; taught knowledge of astra and kriyā to Śatānīka; 2 a pupil of Pathya; divided the Atharva Samhitā between his two disciples Babhra and Saindhavā- yana. 3 A Kṣatropetadvija; four castes were formed under him; 4 a mantrakṛt and a madhyamādhvaryu; 5 asked Vai- śampāyana for a śānti ritual; 6 initiated Śatānīka into ātma- jñāna. 7 Page3-469+ 25 [ Footnote: 1) Bhā. IX. 17. 3; I. 1. 4; 4. 1-13; M. 1. 5; Vā. 93. 24.] [ Footnote: 2) Bhā. XII. 4. 43; IX. 22. 38; M. 25. 3; 43. 1-2; Vā. 104. 19; 106. 39.] [ Footnote: 3) Br. II. 35. 59-60; Vā. 61. 52-3; Vi. III. 6. 11-12.] [ Footnote: 4) Br. III. 67. 4. 66. 88; Vā. 92. 4-5.] [ Footnote: 5) Br. II. 32. 106; M. 145. 100; 244. 3.] [ Footnote: 6) Ib. 93. 1.] [ Footnote: 7) Vi. IV. 21. 4.] [ ID=14804 ]
- one of the eighteen teachers of Vastu Shastra  
  *The Purana Index*
  > Śaunaka (III) — one of the eighteen teachers of the Vāstu śāstra. M. 252. 3. [ ID=14806 ]

### Śaunaka the Legislator (3 definitions)
- The name of an ancient sage and legislator older than Manu.  
  *Wilson Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > शौनक (śaunaka) [Printed book page 859 ] शौनक (śaunaka) m. ( - कः (-kaḥ) ) The name of an inspired legislator older than MANU. [ ID=39032 ]
- Name of an inspired legislator before Manu.  
  *Yates Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > शौनक (śaunaka) [Printed book page 779-a ] शौनक (śaunaka) ( कः ) ((kaḥ)) 1. m. Name of an inspired legislator before Manu. [ ID=38688 ]
- The name of an ancient legislator older than Manu.  
  *Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > शौनक (śaunaka) [Printed book page 731-a ] शौनक (śaunaka) m. ( - कः (-kaḥ) ) The name of an inspired legislator older than MANU. [ ID=40916 ]

### Descendants or School of Śaunaka (2 definitions)
- the descendants and pupils of Shaunaka  
  *Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899)*
  > pl. the descendants and pupils of Ś°, Harivaṃśa (Title) [ ID=221822 ]
- a branch of the Bhargavas  
  *The Purana Index*
  > Śaunakas — a branch of the Bhārgavas; Kṣatropeta dvijas. Br. III. 1. 100; 67. 6; Vā. 92. 6. [ ID=14808 ]

### Works by or Terms Related to Śaunaka (1 definition)
- a work of the Shaunakas  
  *Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899)*
  > (H1B) [Printed book page 1093,1] शौनकी (śaunakī) ( ई (ī) ), f. a wk. of Ś° s ( cf. लघु - (laghu-) and वृद्धशौनकी (śaunakī) (vṛddhaśaunakī) ). [ ID=221823 ]

### Śaunaka as a Name/Patronymic (1 definition)
- A proper name  
  *Benfey Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > शौनक (śaunaka) [Printed book page 0965-b ] शौनक (śaunaka) śaunaka, m. A proper name, Man. 3, 16. [ ID=14942 ]

## Sources

Definitions from Benfey Sanskrit-English Dictionary; Cappeller Sanskrit-English Dictionary; Index to the Names in the Mahabharata; Macdonell Sanskrit-English Dictionary; Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1872); Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899); Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English Dictionary; The Purana Index; The Vedic Index of Names and Subjects; Vaidya Sanskrit-English Dictionary; Wilson Sanskrit-English Dictionary; Yates Sanskrit-English Dictionary.
Text from the Cologne Digital Sanskrit Lexicon, University of Cologne.

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