Birth of Veda Vyasa

One measure of greatness for saints in India was their involvement in the making of the most sacred Hindu scripture, the Vedas. It is said that the Vedas simply occurred in the minds of such sages as a result of their deep and long meditation. Seven among them were respected the most. One was called Vasishtha. Sages are called by various names such as Rishi and Muni and the great ones as Maharshi or Mahamuni. Vasishtha had a grandson by name Parasara who was a Vedic Rishi himself. Mahabharatam was written by the son born to Parasara by name Veda Vyasa. There is an interesting story behind his birth.

One day Parasara came to cross the river Kalindi. A beautiful maiden sat at the oars that day to take the boat across. She was the daughter of the king of fishermen. Though beautiful, she was known by the name Matsyagandhi, meaning one who smelt of fish. Indeed, she always smelt of fish. The great sage, nonetheless, was smitten by her extreme beauty. He happened to be the only passenger that time in the boat. Half way across the river the Maharshi could not restrain himself and expressed his desire for her favours.

Such a request was considered to be a great honour for a girl those days. But, Matsyagandhi was apprehensive. She had remained a maiden till that day and she feared losing that . When Parasara heard her objection, he smilingly said that he could help her to remain as she was with his powers.

Matsyagandhi could not think of a relationship with the sage in the middle of the river with many watching from both the banks. Again, that was a small matter for the Maharshi to fix. He, with his powers, made thick fog to develop all around. He also made a small island to rise beneath the boat.

With all her fears removed, the beautiful princess of the fisher folk received the great saint. As a result the maiden conceived a baby. But, such were the powers of Parasara that before the boat reached the other bank Matsyagandhi delivered a handsome boy, though dark in colour. Not only that, the boy grew instantly to a youth.

Thus, with two people on board at start the boat reached the other bank with three. There the Maharshi had to bid good bye to his wife of extreme short duration. But, before departing the only wish of Matsyagandhi, that her smell of fish should be removed, was granted and materialized. Thus, she henceforth came to be known as Gandhavathi, meaning the girl with a sweet scent.

The boy was named Dwaipayana, meaning one born on an island. He also gathered a name Krishna because of his dark complexion. Like his father he also bid good bye to his mother , but, with the consoling words : “ mother, I also would like retire to the forests to start meditating like father. But, whenever you need me just think of me. I shall be there to help you”.

We shall find in the story of the great epic Mahabharata that he kept his words till last.
Soon, he became a great saint on his own rights. He became so great that he decided to organize the Vedas which were passed on as one huge unmanageable text till that time into four by their content and usage. Hence, he became better known as Veda Vyasa, meaning one who divided the Vedas.