Sages & Others
Saunaka
शौनक
Master of the Naimisha Sacrifice
Who was Saunaka?
Saunaka (शौनक): Master of the Naimisha Sacrifice, one of the sages and supporting figures in the Mahabharata. A brahmana of Bhrigu's line, holder of the twelve-year sacrifice in the Naimisha forest where the bard Ugrashravas recites what Vaishampayana first spoke, which makes him the listener the whole epic is addressed to.
Quick Facts
| Sanskrit name | शौनक |
|---|---|
| Title / Epithet | Master of the Naimisha Sacrifice |
| Faction | Sages & Others |
| Key traits | learned, patient, dispassionate, hospitable |
| Notable relationships | Consoler: Yudhishthira, Fellow priest of the exile: Dhaumya, Host of his epic's telling: Sage Vyasa |
| Featured in | 2 stories |
About Saunaka
A brahmana of Bhrigu's line, holder of the twelve-year sacrifice in the Naimisha forest where the bard Ugrashravas recites what Vaishampayana first spoke, which makes him the listener the whole epic is addressed to. On the road out of Hastinapura he found Yudhishthira weeping at the thought of citizens living on their own toil for his sake, and lifted him with a Sankhya discourse on the roots of grief and fear, the six senses that drag a man like restive horses, and the eight duties that make up the true path.
In Their Words
Grief is born of attachment; cut that, and the senses no longer drive thee.
Saunaka
Traits
- learned
- patient
- dispassionate
- hospitable
Story Appearances
Stories Featuring Saunaka
One further tale on this site names Saunaka.
Character Arc
- The Twelve-Year SacrificeA forest clearing turned into the epic's audience hall
- The Weeping KingA man grieving over people who refused to leave him
- The Eight DutiesGrief traced back to its root and cut there
Key Relationships
- ConsolerYudhishthira
- Fellow priest of the exileDhaumya
- Host of his epic's tellingSage Vyasa
Places in Saunaka's Story
Drawn from the stories Saunaka appears in.
Related Characters
Others counted among the Sages & Others.