Sandilya is a Vedic scholar and author of Sandilya Upanishad and Shandilya Samhita. Shandilya Upanishad is a collection of dialogue between his Guru Athervan and he as a student on Astangayoga. He was son of Sage Asita and father of Sankha and Likhita, the two well known authors of Smriti. He was found to be the spiritual guide of king Dilipa in Mahabharatha. There can be many Shandilya and it need not be the same person we can find in Dwapara youga as the priest of Nandagopar and sage taking to Bhisma in his bed of arrows. Shandilya is again found in much later period as performing Putresti sacrifice of Santanika, the son of Janamejaya.

Sandilya is believed to be author of Agnirahasya. Sandilya has been also quoted as an author of pancaratra literature. Sandilya bhakti sutra is an independent work by him. It is an ancient work of Bhagavata School of Bhakti or devotion. This work along with Narada Bhakti Sutra gives the theoretical base of bhakti cult as an ancient method for salvation. It has two well known bhasya one by Svapnesvara (AD900) and other by Narayana Tirtha (AD 1700). Sandilya method is more intellectual than Narada which is emotional and practical.