Vyasa (Devanagari: व्यास, vyāsa) is a central and revered figure in most Hindu traditions. He is also sometimes called Veda Vyāsa (वेदव्यास,veda-vyāsa), (the one who classified the Vedas into four parts) or Krishna Dvaipāyana (referring to his complexion and birthplace). There are two different views regarding his birthplace. One of the views suggests that he was born in the island of Yamunā River. He is the author of theMahabharata, as well as a character in it. He is considered to be the scribe of both the Vedas and Puranas. Vyasa is an incarnation of GodVishnu.[1][2] Vyāsa is also considered to be one of the seven Chiranjivins (long lived, or immortals), who are still in existence according to general Hindu belief. Vyasa lived around 3000 BC,[3][unreliable source?] although most of the scholars cite that the period of Vyasa was between 1800 BC and 1500 B.C.[4]
The festival of Guru Purnima is dedicated to him. It is also known as Vyasa Purnima for it is the day believed to be both his birthday and the day he divided the Vedas.[5][6]
In the Mahabharata[edit]
| Part of a series on |
| Hindu philosophy |
|---|
 |
Vyasa appears for the first time as the compiler of, and an important character, in the Mahābhārata. It is said that, he was the expansion of Lord Vishnu Himself who came in Dwaparyuga to make all the Vedic knowledge available in written form which was available in Sound form at that time. He was the son of Satyavati, daughter of the fisherman Dusharaj,[7] and the wandering sage Parashara (who is accredited for being the author of the first Purana: Vishnu Purana). He was born on the meet of two rivers Seti and Madi. The place is named after him as Vedvyas, possibly the modern-day town of Damauli in the Tanahu district of Nepal. He was dark-complexioned and hence may be called by the nameKrishna (black), and also the name Dwaipayana, meaning 'island-born'.
Vyasa was grandfather to the Kauravas and Pandavas. Their fathers, Dhritarashtra and Pandu, the sons of Vichitravirya by the royal family, were fathered by him. He had a third son, Vidura, by a serving maid Parishrami.