A Vedic preceptor. Because पञ्चकर्ण was born in the family of वात्स्य he got the name वात्स्यायन .

In the language of Yogic treatises the seven life-winds in the human head are called the ' सप्तसूर्यस् ' (seven suns). पञ्चकर्णवात्स्यायन had a clear knowledge of these सप्तसूर्यस् and has given a vivid description of them. (Taittirīya Āraṇyaka) .