Vedavyasa

Veda Vyasa, also known as Krishna Dvaipayana Vyasa, is a central figure in Hindu tradition revered as a legendary sage, compiler of the Vedas, and author or organizer of major epic and didactic literature. The epithet Vyasa, meaning “compiler” or “arranger,” emphasizes his attributed role in consolidating sacred knowledge for transmission to future generations.

Origins and lineage are described in traditional sources as Vyasa being the son of the sage Parashara and the fisherman’s daughter Satyavati, born on an island (the name Dvaipayana alludes to this birth). In the mythic account, Vyasa fathers two sons, Dhritarashtra and Pandu, with his wives Ambika and Ambalika, respectively, and a third son, Vidura, from a maid. This dynastic connection places Vyasa as a progenitor of the Kuru line central to the Mahabharata.

Works and influence: Vyasa is credited with organizing and composing the four Vedas into a coherent corpus and with compiling and composing the Mahabharata, as well as contributing to the tradition of the Puranas. In the Mahabharata itself, he appears as a primary narrator and teacher, and, according to tradition, dictated the epic to the scribe Gan̄eśa, who inscribed it in one continuous session.

Religious significance: In various Hindu traditions, Vyasa is regarded as an incarnation or emanation of Vishnu and as a key transmitter of sacred knowledge. His legend underlines themes of dharma, lineage, and the transmission of spiritual wisdom. While historicity is debated and details vary among sources, Vyasa remains a foundational figure in the Hindu literary and religious landscape.