A History of Indian Medical Literature v1.c20.s1.2

v1.c20.s1.2

Several sages called Ātreya are known in Indian literature from the earliest times onwards.39 A number of hymns of the *Ṛgveda*, in particular hymns of maṇḍala five, are attributed to various members of the Atri family.40 Vedic literature distinguishes some of these seers by additions to their common name. Two among these compound names are of some interest because they contain the element vasu, also met with in the name of the medical teacher, Ātreya Punarvasu;41 these two names are Ātreya Vasuśruta42 and Ātreya Vasūyu.43 An Ātreya Puruvasu is known from a Brāhmaṇa.44