Sage Vyasa (Krishna Dwaipayana)

(Mahabharata - Adi Parva - Anukramanika Parva - 1)

Sage Vyasa (Krishna Dwaipayana)

• Sage Vyasa composing the Mahabharata in his mind: Sage Vyasa composed the great poem of Mahabharata in his mind but became anxious about how he can teach this to his pupils. There is not to be found a writer of this great composition on Earth.

• Lord Brahma telling sage Vyasa to remember Sri Ganesha: Knowing about the anxiety of sage Vyasa, Lord Brahma came to him and told him to remember Sri Ganesha (who will write down this great composition).

• Sri Ganesha writing the composition of Mahabharata: Sage Vyasa remembered Sri Ganesha who instantly came there. When sage Vyasa requested Sri Ganesha to write his composition, Sri Ganesha agreed under the condition that his pen should not be made to stop. Sage Vyasa agreed but put the condition that he should write only after understanding it. Sri Ganesha agreed and proceeded to write the Mahabharata as sage Vyasa dictated it from his mind. To take rest, sage Vyasa somtimes knit the compositions very close. Even Sri Ganesha had to pause at times to understand these close-knit compositions. During that time sage Vyasa composed other verses.

• About Mahabharata: The Mahabharata is like the Sun which drives away the darkness of ignorance through its discourses on Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha. Sage Vyasa became the father of three sons - Dhritarashtra, Pandu and Vidura. But he did not publish this Mahabharata to mankind until the sons were born, grown up and died.
- Vyasa first compiled the Bharata in 24000 verses which the learned call as real Bharata.
- He then composed an epitome (index of chapters) in 150 verses. He first taught this epitome to Shuka and other qualified disciples.
- He then composed another compilation with 6000000 (60 lakhs) verses. Of these 3000000 (30 lakhs) verses is known to the world of Devas, 1500000 (15 lakhs) verses is known to the world of Pitris, 1400000 (14 lakhs) verses is known to the world of Gandharvas and 100000 (1 lakh) verses is known to the world of mankind.
- Narada narrated the Mahabharata to the Devas.
- Devala narrated the Mahabharata to the Pitris.
- Shuka narrated the Mahabharata to the Gandharvas, Yakshas and Rakshashas.
- Vaishampayana narrated the Mahabharata to the Mankind.
- Sauti also narrated 100000 (1 lakh) verses of this great work.
- Duryodhana is like a great Tree created out of anger; Karna is its trunk; Shakuni is its branches; Duhshashana is its fruits and flowers and Dhritarashtra is its root.
- Yudhishthira is like a great Tree created out of Dharma; Arjuna is its trunk; Bhima is its branches; the sons of Madri as its flowers amd fruits and Krishna, Brahma and Brahmanas are its root.

• Sage Vyasa asking disciple Vaishampayana to narrate the Mahabharata at the Snake-Sacrifice of king Janmajeya: The great sages headed by kulapati Shaunaka were performing a twelve years' Satra (Yagna or Sacrifice) at Naimisharanya. Ugrashrava, the son of sage Lomaharshana, who was popularly called Sauti came there. The sages welcomed him and asked him from where he was coming from. Sauti said that he was coming after visiting the Sarpa-Satra (Snake-Sacrifice) of king Janmajeya, the son of Parikshit. There, sage Vaishampayana narrated the great Mahabharata which was composed by Krishna Dwaipayana Vyasa (on being told by Vyasa). Thereafter, after visiting many holy places, he came to Samanta Panchaka where great battle between the Pandavas and Kauravas was fought. After that wishing to see the sages he came to Naimisharanya. The sages then requested Sauti to narrate the Mahabharata which he had heard from sage Vaishampayana in the Sarpa-Satra (Snake-Sacrifice).

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