Bhagavan Vyasa Maharshi

"When the second millenium ('Dwarpa Yuga') overlapped the third ('Treta Yuga'), the great sage Vyasa maharshi was born to Parasara Muni in the womb of Satyati, the daughter of Vasu (the fisherman).

In sage Vyasa maharshi's childhood he was called Krsna, because of his dark complexion, and because he was born on an island at the confluence of the Sati and Mati Rivers he was called Dwaipayana. After dividing the Vedas he got the name Veda Vyasa. There are some who say that Krsnadwaipayana Veda Vyasa took his birth at a place now known as Vyasa Goofer, the cave of sage Vyasa maharshi in present day Nepal, on the road from Pokara to Kathmandu which was, in days of yore, part of the kingdom of King Janaka. There are local records that support this statement, which say this was the 'ashrama' of Parasara Muni and at this place sage Vyasa maharshi was conceived. They also lay claim that later sage Vyasa maharshi came back to that 'ashrama' and stayed there for some time, and this being why there is a small Deity of Him at the entrance of the cave. Anyway, everyone at least agrees that the date of sage Vyasa maharshi's appearance was on the twelfth day of the light fortnight in the month of Vaisaka (April-May), called Vasant Dwadasi.

The following is the story that we just touched upon mentioning how sage Vyasa maharshi came to make His appearance.

Once the hermit Parasara became attracted to a fisher girl of the name Matsya-Gandha.Parasara Muni asked the beautiful Matsya-Gandha, so named because of her fishy aroma, to take him in her boat from one side of the river to the other, but the beauty of this damsel, her bodily movements from the rowing, aroused lusty desires in Parasara. When he sat close to her she moved away, and asked him not to violate her chastity, but Parasara Muni being already too far carried away, created an artificial fog on the river and seduced her right there in the boat. He then created an island in the river and on that island the girl conceived a child in her womb. Parasara explained to her that even after the child was born she would remain a virgin and the son born to her would be a portion of Lord Visnu and would be famous throughout the three worlds. He would be a man of purity, the spiritual master of the entire world, and He would divide the Vedas.
Sage Vyasa maharshi soon grew into everything that Parasara had described, and had many disciples.

Later in life it is recorded that Sage Vyasa maharshi returned to this island in the river and there compiled the Srimad Bhagavatam. Recorded is another instance when Sage Vyasa maharshi called for Ganesha (the elephant-headed 'deva') to write the Mahabharata as he related it to him. He did so on the condition that Sage Vyasa maharshi continually recited, and Ganesha, having perfectly understood the meaning, wrote down the Mahabharata. The word "Vyasa" means one who describes elaborately.

"The great sage, Sage Vyasa maharshi who was fully equipped with knowledge, could see through his transcendental vision the deterioration of everything material, due to the influence of the age. He could also see that the faithless people in general would be reduced in duration of life and would be impatient due to lack of goodness. Then he contemplated for the welfare of men in all statuses and orders of life. He saw that the sacrifices mentioned in the Vedas were means by which people's occupations could be purified, and to simplify the process, he divided the one Veda into four, in order to expand them among men. The four divisions of the original sources of knowledge (the Vedas) were made separately, but historical facts and authentic stories mentioned in the Puranas are called the fifth Veda.

"Thus the great Sage Vyasa maharshi , who is very kind to the ignorant mass, edited the Vedas so they might be assimilated by less intellectual men. Still he was not satisfied, even though he was engaged in working for the total welfare of all people. Thus Sage Vyasa maharshi , being dissatisfied in heart, began to reflect within himself. 'I have, under strict disciplinary vows, unpretentiously worshipped the Vedas, the spiritual master and the altar of sacrifice. I also abided by the rulings and have shown the import of disciplic succession through the explanation of the Mahabharata, by which even women, shudras and others (friends of the twice born) can see the path of religion. I am feeling incomplete, though myself I am fully equipped with everything required by the Vedas. This may be because I did not specifically point out the devotional service of the Lord, which is dear both to perfect beings and to the infallible Lord'."

"Sage Narada Muni (who was another son of Prajapati Brahma) reached the cottage of Sage Vyasa maharshi on the banks of the Sarasvati, where Sage Vyasa maharshi was staying at that time, just when Sage Vyasa maharshi was regretting his defects. At the auspicious arrival of Sage Narada, Sage Vyasa maharshi got up respectfully and worshipped him, giving him veneration equal to that given to Sri Brahma, the creator. Sage Narada then said: 'O Vyasa maharshi , your vision is completely perfect. Your good fame is spotless. You are firm in vow and situated in truthfulness, and thus you can think of the pastimes of the Lord in trance for the liberation of the people in general from all material bondage. The people in general are naturally inclined to enjoy, and you have encouraged them in that way in the name of religion. This is verily condemned and is quite unreasonable. Because they are guided under your instructions, they will accept such activities in the name of religion and will hardly care for prohibitions.' And so Narada Muni, Sage Vyasa maharshi's spiritual master, instructed Sage Vyasa maharshi to compile the Maha-Bhagavat Purana (Srimad Bhagavatam) now in his maturity for the benefit of all mankind, to which Sage Vyasa maharshi agreed. He presented the glories of Krsna and His many incarnations just after the departure of Lord Krsna from this world.

"In this yuga the son of Parasara, who is glorified as a part of Visnu and who is known as Dvaipayana, the vanquisher of all enemies, became Sage Vyasa maharshi. Urged by Brahma, he undertook the task of classifying the Vedas. Sage Vyasa maharshi accepted four disciples to preserve and continue the Vedas. They were Jaimini who took care of the Sama Veda, Sumantu - the Atharva Veda, Vaisampayana - the Yajur Veda and Paila - the Rg Veda, and for the Itihasa and Puranas - Lomaharsana.

According to Vayu Purana it says, "Previously there have been twenty-eight Vyasas, but when the twenty-eighth appears, Lord Visnu, the most Glorious, Great Father of the three worlds, becomes Dvaipayana Vyasa. Then Lord Sri Krsna, the best amongst the Yadus will be born of Vasudeva and will be known as Vasudeva. Then in due course I (Vayu) will come in the form of an ascetic and assuming the body of a religious student, will surprise the world by means of the Lord's 'yoga maya'. Actually, this is Vayudeva announcing his appearance as Sriman Madhwacarya.