A sage, who had the power to move among planets. He once went to devaloka as Indra’s guest. He consumed amrit, watched the apsaras’ dance and felt he would like a devaloka for himself. He approached Vishwakarma who built one for him. Soon the asuras captured it. Though Vishwakarma got it back, Aatreya returned to his own hermitage on the banks of the Gautami. As per Brahmapurana he meditated there for a long time and attained moksha.

He was present at Janamejaya’s sarpasatra as per Mahabharata Adiparva Chapter 53 verse 8. He was Vamadeva’s disciple as per Mahabharata Vanaparva Chapter 192 verse 6. He advised his disciples on Nirgunabrahma as per Mahabharata Anushasanaparva Chapter 137 verse 7.