Table of Contents
An Introduction to Vyasa
Sri Krishna Dwaipayana Veda Vyasa is one of the most prominent figures in the literary circle of Sanatana Dharma. On the account of methodically bifurcating the Vedas, His name is suffixed with the term Vyasa.
In Sanskrit, Vyasa literally means compiling, arranging and describing. Thus, it is an esteemed title that is conferred upon beings of great spiritual merit and their stupendous contribution towards the welfare of mankind. It becomes indispensable to understand the Vedic Cosmological periods of time before we delve deeper into understanding the contribution of Mahrishi Veda Vyasa.
A Deeper Understanding of the Cosmic Periods of Times
The most concrete phase of time is Manvantara, or the reign of Manu, the progenitor of the human race. Each Manvantara is a cycle of creation and dissolution. There are in total 14 Manvantaras (which can be conceptualized as 14 hours), constituting a single day of Brahma.
One day of Brahma is also known as Kalpa. Currently we are in the 7th Manvantara of the 51st year and first day (Sveta Varaha Kalpa) of Sri Brahma, whose presiding Manu is also known by the names Shraddhadeva, Vaivasvata and Satyavrata Manu.
Each Manvantara constitutes 71 Chatur Yugas. As the name suggests Chatur Yuga (aka Maha Yuga) constitutes the 4 Yugas namely Kritha (Satya), Tretha, Dwapara and Kali Yuga. The transition of one yuga to the next is a gradual process of degradation of virtues and moral values.
Why Did Sri Veda Vyasa Appear?
In the Yugas prior to Kali Yuga, goodness dominated over evil and thus there was the prevalence of oral tradition to facilitate the absorption of the Vedas. However, with the advent of Kali Yuga, human intelligence underwent a rapid decline making it challenging to comprehend the Vedas in its entirety.
Thus, according to Vishnu Purana and Shiva Purana, before the inception of Kali Yuga, a divine entity manifests in Dwapara Yuga solely for the welfare of spiritual aspirants who shall, in the near future, coexist with beings of feeble intellect. Sri Krishna Dwaipayana, foreordained for this task, (for this current Chatur Yuga) undertook the vital role of systemizing the Vedas and notched the epithet of ‘Vyasa’.
Sri Krishna Dwaipayana is the Vyasa for this current era (28th Maha Yuga of the 7th- Vaivasvata Manvantara). Thus, Vyasa is more like a post that remains constant while different divine entities, on the account of their spiritual merit (or grace) get promoted to that post.
List of ‘Vyasas’ in the Vishnu Puran
Chapter III, Book III of the Vishnu Purana, Sri Parasara, reveals the names of ‘Vyasas’ of the Vaivasvata Manvantara, to his disciple Sri Maitreya.
- Sri Brahma (aka Swayambhu)
- Prajapati Manu
- Uśanas
- Vrihaspati
- Savitri
- Mrityu (Death, or Yamaraja)
- Indra
- Vaśisht́ha
- Sáraswata
- Tridháman
- Trivrishan
- Bharadwája
- Antaríksha
- Vapra
- Trayyáruńa
- Dhananjaya
- Kritanjaya
- Rińa
- Bharadwája
- Gotama
- Uttama, also called Haryátmá
- Veńa, who is likewise named Rájaśravas
- Somaśushmápańa, also Trińavindu
- Riksha, the descendant of Bhrigu, who is known also by the name Válmíki
- Sri Parasara enlightens Maitreya that Sage Śakti, his own father, became the Vyasa in the 25th cycle.
- While He Himself (Parashara) was the Vyása of the twenty-sixth Dwápara, and was succeeded by
- Jaratkáru; the Vyása of the twenty-seventh.
- He in turn was followed by Sri Krishńa Dwaipáyana. Currently we are in the 28th Dwapara.
- In the next Dwápara, Drauńi (the son of Drońa) will be the Vyása, when my son, the Muni Krishńa Dwaipáyana, who is the actual Vyása, shall cease to be (in that character).
Sri Parashara Expounds the Glories of Sri Krishna Dwaipayana Vyasa
In the subsequent chapter of the Vishnu Purana, Sri Parashara emphatically reveals the identity of His son, Krishna Dwaipayana as none other than Lord Narayana would deem suitable for authoring the great epic Mahabharatha, for it is revered as the Panchama Veda (5th Veda). Such an authoritative scripture can never be envisioned by anyone other than the Lord.
The Shiva Purana, Section-5 Uma Samhita- Chapter 44, The Birth of Sri Vyasa also brings this fact to light. Sage Parashara blesses Devi Satyavati to mother a partial incarnation of Lord Vishnu, who shall attract immense fame.
Sri Vyasa Divides the 4 Vedas
Sri Vyasa divided the one single voluminous Veda, into 4 Vedas (on the basis of its 4 portions), so that one may assimilate the Vedas in accord of their intellectual capacities. Thus came to light the 4 Vedas namely:
- Rig Veda: The Book of Sacred Hymns to Invoke the Devatas, like Indra, Agni, Chandra, etc.
- Yajur Veda: The Book of Hymns and Mantras for Ritualistic Practices/ Yajnas
- Sama Veda: The Book of Melodic Compositions, and lastly
- Atharva Veda: The book of Charms, Spells, Ayurveda, etc. This book focuses on acquiring benefits by the recitation of hymns.
Subdivisions of the Vedas
The Vedas are cryptic in nature and beyond the ken of a mundane mind. Therefore, Veda Vyasa further subdivided the Vedas into 4 namely: Samhitas, Brahmanas, Arnayakas and Upanishads.
- Samhitas: In Sanskrit it literally means joining or combining. Thus, Samhitas are a collection of highly organized verses from the Vedas that consist of mantras, hymns,, prayers and chants, extolling Vedic deities dominant in Nature.
- Brahmanas: This part of the Veda expounds the meaning and purpose of various mantras and sacrifices, at length. It also prescribes the Vidhi, Muhurta, Rules and Warnings that need to be observed for the successful conclusion of a ritual.
- Aranyakas: These are in continuity with the Brahmanas. However, it deals with subtler aspects and the intent behind every ritual and mantra. It emphasizes a more theosophical viewpoint towards approaching rituals. Unlike Brahmanas that lay down stringent methodologies to perform Yajnas with perfection, Aranyakas have a subdued approach towards them, revealing more contemplative and symbolic meanings behind rituals. Brahman, His infinite prowess, Transpiration of the Universe, the Jiva, Cycle of Birth and Death, Meditation, etc form the key highlights of this subdivision of the Vedas.
- Upanishads: Philosophical theories form the foundation of the Upanishads. It decrees that Brahman is the unchanging principle lodged in the core of every individual. It introduces the Karma theory along with other concrete concepts like the 4 Purusharthas, Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha, that forms the main subject matter of Vedanta School of Philosophy. The Upanishads elaborate on the nature of Brahman, Jeev and Samsara. They mark the complete transition from ritualistic dogma to the spiritual science of consciousness, ingrained in the Vedas.
It would be worthwhile to note that that although Vyasa is mainly responsible for compiling the Vedas, Sri Krishna Dwaipayna Vyasa (Badarayana) who took active interest in composing the Puranas, Mahabharata and highlighting the essence of the Upanishads by compiling the Brahma Sutras.
Sri Dwaipayana assigned his 4 disciples for the widespread revelation of the 4 Vedas.
- Paila propounded the Rigveda
- Jaimini the Samaved
- Vaishampayana shouldered the revelation of the Yajurveda
- Sumantu became the propagator of Atharvaveda.
Shruti and Smriti
Thus Veda Vyasa contributed majorly in preserving and elucidating the Shrutis- The Vedas, Brahmanas, Aranyakas and Upanishads. However, the criteria of Yajnopavita or thread ceremony limited the reach of the Vedas among the common man. Also the necessity of a well versed Acharya to interpret the Vedas, āchāryavān puruṣho vedaḥ (Chhāndogya Upaniṣhad 6.14.2), made it difficult to access this repository of knowledge.
These limitations inspired various Rishis to commence the Smriti tradition that relied on memory. The sages penned down their realizations they derived upon interpreting the Vedas. Due to their generosity and compassion, today sincere sadhakas can avail the knowledge, which was earlier rather cryptic.
Sage Veda Vyasa made a massive contribution towards the welfare of mankind. He encapsulated the Vedas in the form of Puranas and Itihasas to resonate with the common man. These scriptures deliver the essence of the Vedas in more explicable terms. All kinds of people are qualified to read and learn from them. Thus, Sage Veda Vyasa opened the floodgates of Vedic Wisdom, making the knowledge of Brahman available to all.
Exploring the Works of Sri Krishna Dwaipayana Vyasa
- Puranas
Traditionally 18 in number, the Puranas focus on the feats of Bhagawan to highlight His countless qualities. The Devi-Bhagavata, Markandeya, Brahmanda, and Skanda Purana expound the glories of Devi and Her Supremacy. Puranas are in the form of stories and thus are easy to remember and contemplate. They elucidate the process of creation, maintenance and destruction along with inspiring stories of kings that are rooted in higher ideals, Dharma, morals and values. Each Purana has a central form of Brahman who is regarded as the Supreme.
A cohesive understanding of the Puranas draws one to the conclusion that all the forms of Brahman like Lord Vishnu, Shiva, Skanda, Ganesha, Devi, etc, are alike and non-different, ingrained in the principle of absoluteness. Based on the inner alignment of the Jiva, his/her Ishta Devata shall attract. Debates that try to establish one deity as the supreme are rendered pointless as truth is subjective and may differ from individual to individual.
The Puranas express the one supreme truth in multiple ways to suit the internal makeup of every sadhaka. Thus, a Vishnu Bhakta shall benefit from the Vaishnava Puranas while a Devi Bhaktas from Shakta Puranas. A sadhaka must pursue the path of devotion towards one’s Ishta to receive the gift of Moksha.
- Itishasa (The Mahabharata)
Sri Veda Vyasa had conceived and composed the entire epic during his course of meditation and severe penance in the Himalayas. However, the documentation of this legendary work had not yet commenced until Sri Brahma paid him a visit. On the behest of Sri Brahma, Sage Vyasa contemplated on Lord Ganesha who appeared before the sage of great vows in no time. Thereafter, The Lord of Ganas, agreed to become the transcriber of Sage Vyasa, thus penning down the dictations of the seer to reproduce the Great Epic Mahabharata.
This is one of the most revered epics in Sanatana Dharma, for it covers a wide range of topics from decoding the enigma of the Vedas, Upanishads, Puranas, to allegorically representing the scenario of Kali Yuga through its efficacious plot. It acknowledges the shortcomings of the current era and prescribes adherence to Dharma, even in the most adverse conditions.
The exemplary lives of Sri Krishna, Sri Bhishma, King Yudhistira, Vidura, etc highlight the necessity of strict observance of Dharma. It introduces the mood of Bhakti and Sharanagati as the means of final release, for all the adherents of Dharma finally sought refuge in Lord Krishna.
Thus, Queen Kunti, Draupadi, The Pandavas, Shri Bhishma, Vidura, etc are inspirations for the common man to qualify as perfect recipients of Bhagawan’s grace. On the other hand, portrayals of Duryodhana, Dushyasana, Shakuni, Dhritarashtra, etc are gross manifestations of evil that reflect the nature of people with progressing Kali Yuga. Thus, the Mahabharata takes into account the obstacles imposed by this era and successfully paves a safe route, off this material world.
7/8 Questions from Sanatana Dharma
The scores generated in this Quiz may or may not be absolute. There may be right or wrong answers to each Question. A percentage towards 100 indicates that you are more aligned to the overall subject matter.
- The Bhagavad Gita
It finds mention in the 6th Book (Bhishma Parva) of the Epic Mahabharatha. It comprises 700 verses spanning from Chapters 23-40 of the scripture. It is an insightful discussion spanning over 18 Chapters (Adhyayas) and has Lord Krishna as the revealer while Arjuna as the seeker. It is a handbook reckoned to delve deeper into human consciousness and alter it through the various paths of Yoga, prescribed for different categories and temperaments of people.
It knocks off many misconceptions regarding Karma, Dharma, Sannyasa, Birth and Death, etc. It reveals truth in its most pristine form. Each Chapter has a central highlight that delivers a strong message for spiritual practitioners. Reading and following the tenets of the Gita is a part of Sadhana as it sheds light on Jnana, Bhakti Marga, etc cultivating a more profound spiritual bent of mind in sadhakas.
- Shrimad Bhagwat Mahapuran
Although Sage Vyasa had completed the voluminous work of Mahabharatha, he felt incomplete and dissatisfied. The scripture lacked focus on the glorious pastimes of Sri Krishna and it rather elucidated on Dharma, politics, Truth, degradation of virtues and morals, etc. It very briefly dealt with Bhakti and Surrender.
On the instructions of Sage Narada (His eternal spiritual master), Sri Krishna Dwaipayana Vyasa composed the Bhagwat Mahapuran that exclusively advocated the path of devotion as the most effective means to attain Moksha. The 10th Canto of the Srimad Bhagavatam forms the largest part of the scripture that is solely dedicated to describing the divine pastimes of Sri Krishna. It is the most relished and popular canto among Bhaktas.
- Brahma Sutras
It is also known as Nyaya Prasthana, a repository of knowledge that is explored through the aid of reason. Consisting of 555 aphorisms (or sutras) over 4 chapters, the Brahma Sutras is one of the three canonical texts (Prasthana Trayi) that form the very backbone of Vedanta Philosophy.
Sri Veda Vyasa is a proponent of Vedanta and His Brahma Sutras is an insightful handbook that strives to eliminate any contradictions that one may assume to be present within the Upanishads. It brings harmony and delivers the underlying message of all scriptures falling under the purview of Sanatana Dharma and that is Realizing Brahman.
You display your love by reading this valuable material. So kindly read and consider financially supporting us to keep our efforts going with renewed vigor! Supporters in India can donate via Razorpay while those abroad can use PayPal!
