Editing Vyasa (section)

==Role in the Mahabharata==

===Birth===
[[File:Vyasa conversation with worm.jpg|thumb|Vyasa depicted in the [[Razmnama]] (c.1598)]]
According to the Mahabharata, Vyasa's mother, [[Satyavati]], was raised as the daughter of a fisherman, belonging to a clan that used to ferry people across the river [[Yamuna]]. She used to help her father in this task. It was during one such ferrying that she encountered the sage [[Parasara]]. As he boarded her boat, he was captivated by her beauty. Overcome with desire, he approached her, but she, recognizing his intent, humbly pleaded to preserve her chastity. However, Parasara used his divine powers to create an artificial fog around the boat and transformed her natural scent into the fragrance of musk. He also conjured an island in the middle of the river, where he consummated his union with her. After this, he assured her that she would remain a virgin despite giving birth. He prophesied that the son born to her would be an extraordinary being—a partial incarnation of [[Vishnu]], a man of immense wisdom, and a revered teacher who would divide the [[Vedas]] and be honored across the three worlds.<ref name="Vyasa" />  

Following this, Parasara performed his ablutions in the Yamuna and departed. Satyavati’s pregnancy was completed instantly, and she gave birth to a radiant and handsome boy on the island. As soon as he was born, the child matured into an ascetic form, exuding spiritual radiance. He reassured his mother that she need not worry about him and that he was leaving to undertake penance. He further promised that whenever she faced difficulties, she only needed to think of him, and he would appear by her side. Having said this, he departed, embarking on the path of a hermit.<ref name="Vyasa" /> He was named Krishna Dvaipayana, referring to his dark complexion.<ref>{{cite book|last=Monier-Williams|first=Sir Monier|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IewdAAAAMAAJ&q=375|title=Indian Wisdom, Or, Examples of the Religious, Philosophical, and Ethical Doctrines of the Hindūs: With a Brief History of the Chief Departments of Sanskṛit Literature, and Some Account of the Past and Present Condition of India, Moral and Intellectual|date=1875|publisher=Wm. H. Allen & Company|language=en}}</ref> 

Satyavati kept this incident a secret, not telling even King [[Shantanu]] whom she was married to later.<ref name="Vyasa">{{cite book |author=Mani |first=Vettam |url=https://archive.org/details/puranicencyclopa00maniuoft |title=Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary With Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass|year=1975|isbn=0-8426-0822-2|location=Delhi |pages=[https://archive.org/stream/puranicencyclopa00maniuoft#page/885/mode/2up 885 (Vyāsa)] |author-link=Vettam Mani}}</ref><ref name="Dalal">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zrk0AwAAQBAJ&q=Parashara+vyasa |title= Hinduism: An Alphabetical Guide |isbn=9788184752779 |last1=Dalal |first1=Roshen |date=18 April 2014|publisher= Penguin UK }}</ref>

===Continuing the Kuru Dynasty===
Shantanu and Satyavati had two sons, named [[Chitrāngada]] and [[Vichitravirya]]. Both of them died early without leaving an heir, but Vichitravirya had two wives – [[Ambika (Mahabharata)|Ambika]] and [[Ambalika]]. A widowed Satyavati initially asked her stepson, [[Bhishma]], to marry both the queens, but he refused, citing his vow of celibacy. Satyavati revealed her secret past and requested him to bring her firstborn to impregnate the widows under a tradition called [[Niyoga]].<ref name="Niyoga1" >{{cite book|last=Bhawalkar|first=Vanamala|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8v5OAQAAIAAJ&q=Satyavati+vyasa|title=Eminent women in the Mahābhārata|date=2002|publisher=Sharada|isbn=9788185616803|language=en}}</ref> 

Sage Vyasa was unkempt because of months of meditation in the forest. Hence upon seeing him, Ambika who was rather scared shut her eyes, resulting in their child, [[Dhritarashtra|Dhritarāshtra]], being born blind. The other queen, Ambalika, turned pale upon meeting Vyasa, which resulted in their child, [[Pandu]], being born pale. Alarmed, Satyavati requested that Vyasa meet Ambika again and grant her another son. Ambika instead sent [[Characters in the Mahabharata#Ambika's maid|her maid]] to meet Vyasa. The duty-bound maid was calm and composed; she had a healthy child who was later named [[Vidura]].<ref name="Vyasa" />

When the children of Vichitravirya grew up, [[Bhishma]] got them married to different women. [[Dhritarashtra|Dhritarāshtra]] was married to [[Gandhari (Mahabharata)|Gāndhāri]], princess of Gandhara. [[Pandu]] married [[Kunti]] and [[Madri]]. Pāṇḍu left the kingdom, leaving Dhritarashtra as the acting king. Gāndhāri, during her adolescence, received a boon to have a hundred children but her pregnancy was taking a long period of time. After two years of pregnancy, Gandhari aborted her developing fetus, giving birth to a hard mass that looked like an iron ball. Vyasa came to the kingdom and using his knowledge, he asked to divide the mass into one hundred and one pieces and put them into pots for incubation. After a year, 101 babies were born. Meanwhile, Pāṇḍu's wives, Kunti and Mādri, had three and two sons respectively.<ref name="Vyasa" />

After the death of Pandu, he consoled Kunti and the young Pandavas, providing them with counsel in their time of bereavement. Vyāsa, feeling sorrow for his mother's fate, asked her to leave the kingdom and come with him to live a peaceful life. Satyavati, along with her two daughters-in-law, went to the forest.<ref name="Vyasa" />

===Influence on the political affairs of the Kuru Kingdom ===
Vyasa stands as a pivotal figure in the Mahabharata, serving as the spiritual and moral guide for both the [[Kauravas]] and the [[Pandavas]]. While his primary residence remained his hermitage, his influence extended deeply into the affairs of [[Hastinapura]] (capital of [[Kuru Kingdom]]). He was actively engaged in shaping events, offering counsel and intervention at crucial moments.<ref name="Vyasa" /> 

His influence extended to the broader political and social developments of the time. He played a decisive role in facilitating [[Draupadi|Draupadi’s]] marriage to the five Pandavas, thereby shaping an alliance that had significant implications in the unfolding events. His wisdom was frequently sought in matters of governance, and he was a regular presence in [[Yudhishthira|Yudhishthira’s]] court. Under his guidance, the Pandavas undertook regional conquests, expanding their influence. Vyasa also played a central role in the [[Rajasuya]] sacrifice performed by Yudhishthira, overseeing its arrangements and predicting the future course of events. Upon the conclusion of the ceremony, he performed the anointment of Yudhishthira.<ref name="Vyasa" />  

As hostilities between the Kauravas and the Pandavas escalated, Vyasa made multiple attempts to prevent conflict. He advised [[Dhritarashtra]] to restrain [[Duryodhana]] from unjust actions, warning of the potential consequences. During the Pandavas’ exile, he visited them in the forest and imparted teachings to Yudhishthira on various philosophical and strategic matters. Prior to the Kurukshetra war, he granted [[Sanjaya]] divine vision, enabling him to narrate the battle’s progress to Dhritarashtra. During the war, he provided guidance and consolation to Yudhishthira and [[Arjuna]], both of whom were deeply affected by the destruction around them.<ref name="Vyasa" />  

Following the war, Vyasa continued to be actively involved in the political and moral reconstruction of the kingdom. He intervened to prevent [[Gandhari (Mahabharata)|Gandhari]] from cursing the Pandavas in her grief and provided counsel to Yudhishthira on governance and statecraft. When Yudhishthira, overwhelmed by remorse, considered renouncing his throne, Vyasa dissuaded him, urging him to fulfill his responsibilities. He played a crucial role in post-war reconciliation, using his spiritual power to bring forth the spirits of those who had perished, allowing Dhritarashtra and others to witness them. He also guided the widows of fallen warriors, instructing them on traditional rites.<ref name="Vyasa" />