Originally known as Aaruni, and the disciple of Ayodhadhaumya. Once his guru entrusted Aaruni to take care of the fields. But when he tried to set the boundaries of the field, he was unable to. So he lay down instead and stopped water from flowing into the field. Later, the guru enquired about him, and got to know the story from the other students. The guru went to the field and called Aaruni over, from then on Aaruni was also known as Uddalaka, as per Mahabharata Chapter 3 verses 21-33. He was present in Indra’s court as per Mahabharata Sabhaparva Chapter 7 verse 12.

Uddalaka had a son named Shwetaketu and a daughter named Sujata. His dearest disciple Kahodaka married Sujata, and their son was Ashtavakra as per Mahabharata Vanaparva Chapter 132.

Once Uddalaka made the Saraswati river appear in a yajna. From then on Saraswati was also called Manorama, since she appeared when she was thought of, as per Mahabharata Shalyaparva Chapter 33.

Shwetaketu was a brahmin hater and his father drove him out of the house as per Mahabharata Shantiparva Chapter 57 verse 10.