The famous Ved Vyasa is also known as Vyasa or Krishna Dvaipayana. He is a legendary sage who is mentioned in the epic of Mahabharata. He is highly regarded and considered the author of Mahabharata itself. Some stories mention him to be a manifestation of the avatar of Lord Vishnu. He is also considered to be the organiser of the various mantras in Vedas. Along with this, he is also famous as the author of 18 Puranas and Brahma Sutras. The birth story of Vyasa is a very interesting one and sheds light on an important character from the epic Mahabharata, Satyavati.
Matsyagandha or Satyavati was a fisherwoman who helped Parashara cross the Yamuna river. She used to drive a boat. Parashara was extremely enchanted by the beauty of Satyavati and wished to obtain a son from her. Satyavati was a very proud woman and did not agree to this at all. She thought that if anyone would see them, she would lose the poised and pure image that she held in the world. Parashara promised her that it would not happen and created a secret island in the middle of the river.
The secret place was filled with thick fog that could not let any vision pass to any passerby. She conceived and gave birth to the son immediately. This son was none other than Ved Vyasa. Parashara named their son Krishna Dvaipayana because he had a dark complexion and because of the location that he was born on. Ved Vyasa promised his mother to return and help her in times of need as a rightful and dutiful son. Satyavati never spoke of this incident to anyone, not even her husband, King Shantanu.
Ved Vyasa is considered to be amongst the seven immortals who continue to live in this world even today. He also plays a very predominant and paramount role in Mahabharata and its happenings. Vyasa had asked Lord Ganesha to assist him in writing the story. Lord Ganesha requested Ved Vyasa to not pause while telling the story. Ved Vyasa instructed Ganesha to understand the verses before writing them down.
Ved Vyasa’s entry into Hastinapur’s story happened in a strange manner as well. Satyavati and Shantanu had two sons who died before giving an heir to the family. Vichitravirya however had two wives – Ambika and Ambalika. Satyavati requested Ved Vyasa to bless them with a child. Ved Vyasa came to the palace and met with the sisters. Since he was busy in meditation and lived in the forest for months, Ambika could not handle looking at him and hence gave birth to a blind child who later grew up to be King Dhritarashtra.
Ambalika, scared for her life, turned pale when she met with Ved Vyasa and hence gave birth to Pandu, a pale child. Ved Vyasa also met with the maid of the palace. She was calm and composed and hence gave birth to a very healthy and smart child who stunned the world with his brilliance. His name was Vidura. Ved Vyasa also helped Gandhari give birth to her 101 children. He then took Satyavati with him to lead a happy life away from family politics and misery.
Along with Mahabharata, Ved Vyasa has also contributed to works like Yoga Bhashya, Brahma Sutras and 18 major Puranas. Guru Purnima is the festival dedicated to Vyasa and his contributions in the world of literature. It is also known as Vyasa Purnima.
1 Comment