Saint Ved Vyas was one of the greatest Saints of Vedic times. He was the author of Mahabharata and witnessed incidents that changed the world. He had immense knowledge about religious texts, vedas and mantras. It was only possible through his knowledge that Mahabharata could be written. It is believed that Saint Ved Vyas was born on the day of Ashaadh Purnima. Saint Ved Vyas was the one who established Vedant Darshan and Advaitvad. He was born as a son to Saint Parashar. His wife was named Aruni, who gave birth to his son, Shukdev. The day of Guru Purnima is also celebrated as Ved Vyas jayanti.

Ved Vyas was born as Vishnu Vyas in Dwapar Yug and wrote many different parts of the Vedas. It is believed that during the first Dwapar Yug, Brahma was Ved Vyas followed by Prajapati, Shukracharya, Brahaspati, Indra, Dhananjaya, Surya, Mrityu, Ashwathama etc. It is believed that in all there were 28 Devas and others who were Ved Vyas. Ved Vyas also wrote eighteen Puranas.

Ved Vyas Birth Story

Many different stories have been mentioned in ancient texts about Ved Vyas. Some even believe him to be a manifestation of Lord Vishnu. According to his birth story, he was born as a son to Saint Parashar and Satyawati. Satyawati used to row boats and smelled of fish. Hence, she was also known as Matsyagandha. Once, Saint Parashar used her boat to travel through river Yamuna. He was mesmerized by her beauty and asked her to marry him.

Satyawati replied by saying that Saint Parashar was Lord Brahma’s son and she was just a simple human and hence, the engagement would not work. Saint Parashar asked her not worry and Satyawati finally accepted his proposal. Saint Parashar, with his power, created mist and fog. He blessed Satyawati that the bad smell of fish from her body would turn into sweet fragrance.

A boy was born to Satyawati on an island near the bank of the river. The small child turned into a young boy instantly and told Satyawati that he would appear in front of Satyawati whenever she would remember him. He left the islad and went away to offer his austerities. Vyas ji had a pale complexion due to which he was known to be a manifestation of Lord Krishna. He was born on an island in the Yamuna river and hence, he was also known as Dvaipayan. He was known as Ved Vyas since he wrote various texts for the Vedas.

Author of the Mahabharata

Ved Vyas was the author of the Mahabharata. He was not only the author but also a witness of the Mahabharata. It was due to him that the people of India could acquire a text like the Mahabharata. Vyas ji used to know about every incident during Mahabharata while being in his asylum in Hastinapur. Satyawati used to discuss everything with him and he used to give his opinions. Satyawati gave birth to two sons on marrying Shantanu. The elder one died during the battle of Chitrangad and the other one, Vichitravirya, died without a son.

Satyawati asked Vyas ji to help. Vyas ji lived a life of a sanyasi but he along with Vichitravirya’s wives had two sons. Dhritarashtra and Pandu. The third one was born to a maid and was known as Vidur. Ved Vyas ji gave special powers to Sanjay due to which he could tell Dhritarashtra about all the incidents during the Mahabharata.

Scholar of Vedas

Saint Vyas was a great scholar and had immense knowledge. He was known as Ved Vyas since he was the one who added many more things to the Vedas. Ved Vyas explained the four Vedas (Rigveda, Yajurvaveda, Atharvaveda and Samveda) to his disciples, Pail, Jaimin, Vaishampayan and Sumantmuni. He wrote the Puranas as a fifth Veda in which he explained everything in easy language with the help of stories and incidents.

The disciples of Ved Vyas categorized the Vedas into different parts. Ved Vyas is considered to be one of the twenty four manifestations of God. It is believed that God himself incarnated as Ved Vyas and created Puranas, Mahabharata and Brahmasutra. There is another text known as Vyas Smriti which was written by him. Vyas ji holds a very important place in Hindu tradition and mythology.