Atharvan (अथर्वन्, pronounced as "əthərvən"; nominative singular "Atharvā" : अथर्वा, pronounced as "əthərvα:") was a legendary Vedic sage (rishi) of Hinduism who alongwith Angiras is supposed to have authored ("seered") the fourth Atharva Veda. He is also said to have first instituted the fire-sacrifice or yagna. Sometimes he is also reckoned among the seven seers or Saptarishi. His entire clan came to be known as the Atharvanas. Hence the Atharvan is in general also the chief and supervising priest of a Vedic Sacrifice, also called as Brahmā, whose handbook is the Atharva Veda. See also Vedic priesthood. Thir clan is related to the Athravans or similar fire-priests of Zoroastrianism.