Maharishi Vedavyasa

Introduction

Maharishi Vedavyasa (Krishna Dvaipayana) is one of the most important sages of the Indian knowledge tradition. He is called ‘Vedavyasa’ because he divided (compiled) the Vedas into four parts. He is regarded as the author of the Mahabharata, the writer of the eighteen Puranas, the originator of the Brahma Sutras, and the compiler of the Bhagavad Gita. In Indian tradition, he is considered an avatar of Lord Vishnu. The festival of Guru Purnima is celebrated in his honor as ‘Vyasa Purnima.‘

Life

Vedavyasa was born on an island in the Yamuna river, hence the name ‘Dvaipayana’ (island-born). His complexion was dark at birth, so he was also called ‘Krishna’ (the dark one). His mother Satyavati was the daughter of a fisherman, and his father was the sage Parashara.

Vyasa observed that the Vedas formed a vast, undivided body of knowledge that was difficult for ordinary people to comprehend. Therefore, he divided the Vedas into four parts — Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda, and Atharvaveda — and taught each to one of his four principal disciples (Paila, Vaishampayan, Jaimini, and Sumantu). This is why he came to be known as Vedavyasa (the splitter of the Vedas).

Vyasa was a witness to the events of the Mahabharata era. He was connected to the Kuru dynasty — Dhritarashtra, Pandu, and Vidura were his sons (through the practice of niyoga). He witnessed the Mahabharata war and its consequences during his own lifetime and recorded this great history in poetic form.

Major Works

• Mahabharata — A vast epic of one hundred thousand verses, the longest poem in the world. It describes the Kurukshetra war, the conflict between dharma and adharma, politics, ethics, and spirituality. It is said: “Whatever is in the Mahabharata is in the world; whatever is not in the Mahabharata is nowhere.”
• Bhagavad Gita — Found within the Bhishma Parva of the Mahabharata, the dialogue between Lord Krishna and Arjuna. It is the most important text of Hindu philosophy.
• Brahma Sutras — The foundational text of Vedanta philosophy, presenting systematic aphorisms on the nature of Brahman.
• Eighteen Puranas — Including the Bhagavata Purana, Vishnu Purana, Shiva Purana, and others. They contain narratives of creation, stories of deities, and teachings on dharma and ethics.
• Compilation of the Vedas — The division and organization of one undivided Veda into four parts.

Teachings

• Establishment of Dharma — Through the Mahabharata, Vyasa taught that Dharma protects those who protect Dharma — “Dharmo Rakshati Rakshitah.”
• Karma Yoga — Through the Bhagavad Gita, he conveyed the message: perform your duty without attachment to results — “Karmanye Vadhikaraste Ma Phaleshu Kadachana.”
• Dissemination of knowledge — By making the Vedas accessible, he taught that knowledge should be available to all.
• Truth and justice — The Mahabharata carries the message of fighting for truth, justice, and righteousness.
• The essence of life — Vyasa’s essential teaching: “In the eighteen Puranas, Vyasa has said two things — helping others is virtue (punya) and causing suffering to others is sin (papa).”