Maharshi Shandilya was the descendant of sage Kashyapa and his father's name was 'Devala'. He was the royal priest of king Dileep who belonged to Raghuvansha. But in some scriptures, it has also been mentioned that he was the royal priest of Nanadagopa. He was the chief priest at the time of yagya which was performed by Shatanika for begetting a son.

He had done tremendous penance for hundred divine years after establishing a Shiva Linga in the 'Prabhas' area which is presently situated in Saurashtra. Pleased by his severe penance, Lord Shiva blessed him with all the eight siddhis, self- knowledge and total devotion towards God.

When Vishwamitra was helping King Trishanku to perform yagya, Shandilya was the chief 'hota' ( one who throws articles of oblation in the sacrificial fire). He had two sons 'Shanka' and 'Likhita' who have been credited for the creation of two different Smritis.

Maharshi Shandilya was the writer of the scripture 'Bhakti Sutra', the objective of which was to understand the meaning of the Bhagwat Geeta and other 'Shrutis'. There are three chapters in 'Bhakti Sutra' and each chapter consists of two 'Aahnikas'.

According to the 'Bhakti Sutra', the only way to attain liberation is by the means of dissolving one's self in 'Brahma'. There is no difference between a soul and the Brahma and they are inseparable. As long as the soul remains neither its relation with the 'Brahma' can be stopped not the process of transmigration stopped. The confusion exists because of the false identification which living beings have with their physical bodies. The destruction of the 'ego' is the only way to clear this confusion.

This can be achieved by having total devotion towards the Almighty God and not merely by having knowledge of the self.

This way, Maharshi Shandilya has proved that the importance of 'Total Devotion' is of greater value than knowledge. He has described in detail about devotion, the means to achieve it and the problems which comes in the path of devotion. So devotees must read 'Shandilya Sutra' understand the essence of devotion.