Chapter 6: Students and Teachers Vyasa

Vyasa (1st Century)

Vyasa was the legendary Indian sage credited with compiling or arranging the Mahabharata, of which the Bhagavad Gita ("Song of the Lord") is part. Vyasa, also know as Krishna Dvaipayana or Vedavyasa, was supposed to have been the son of the ascetic Parashara and the Dasa princess Satyavati. He grew up in the forests, where he lived with hermits who taught him the Vedas, and he continued to live there close to the river Sarasvati. He became both a teacher and a priest, followed by a large group of disciples. His own son, Shuka, became his disciple. In later years, he lived in caves in the Himalayas, where he is believed to have divided the Vedas, composed Puranas, and written the major poetic work, the Mahabharata, in only two and one-half years. Legend has it that he dictated the Mahabharata to his scribe, Ganesha, the elephant god. Other legends say he was the father of both Dhritrashtara and Pandu, the brothers whose story is central to the Mahabharata, and that it was Vyasa who gave divine sight to Sanjaya so that he could relate the events of the battle between the Kauravas and the Pandus to the blind king, Dhritashtara. Author Links Hindu Gods This site features detailed information of Hindu gods and sages Avatars Down the Ages This site features detailed information on a number of Hindu sages including Vyasa.

"The War Within" "The Illumined Man" Hindu Gods Avatars Down the Ages

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