Shaunaka (Sanskrit: शौनक, IAST: śaunaka) is the name applied to teachers, and to a Shakha of the Atharvaveda.

He is the teacher of Katyayana and Ashvalayana and is said to have combined the Bashkala and Shakala Shakhas of the Rigveda.

[1][2] According to the Vishnu Purana, Shaunaka was the son of Gritsamada and invented the system of the four levels of human life.

Sūta mahamuni narrated mythological stories to a group of sages headed by Shaunaka maha muni.

[5] The Vidhana which he wrote helped simplify the rites and rituals written in the Shrauta and Gruhya shastras (scriptures).