Vyasa

Vyasa (Sanskrit: व्यास, vyāsa, literally “Compiler”) is an important figure in most Hindu traditions. He is sometimes called Veda Vyāsa (वेदव्यास, veda-vyāsa, "the one who classified the Vedas") or Krishna Dvaipāyana (referring to his complexion and birthplace). He is the author of the Mahabharata. He is also a character in it. He is considered to be the scribe of both the Vedas and Puranas. According to Hindu beliefs, Vyasa is an avatar of the god Vishnu.^[1][2] Vyasa is also considered to be one of the seven Chiranjivins (long lived, or immortals), who are still in existence according to Hindu belief.

Vyasa born in Nepal lived around the 3rd millennium BCE.^[3][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]

1. ↑ Bhagavata Purana 1.4.14: (dvāpare samanuprāpte tṛtīye yuga-paryaye jātaḥ parāśarād yogī vāsavyāḿ kalayā hareḥ)
2. ↑ Mahābhārata Kamala Subramaniam full edition
3. ↑ "Legacy of the Elder Gods" by M. Don Schorn, p.256
4. ↑ William R. Levacy. Vedic Astrology Simply Put: An Illustrated Guide to the Astrology of Ancient India. Hay House. p. 18.
5. ↑ Awakening Indians to India. Chinmaya Mission. 2008. p. 167. ISBN 978-81-7597-434-0.
6. ↑ Editors of Hinduism (2007). What Is Hinduism?: Modern Adventures Into a Profound Global Faith. Himalayan Academy Publications. p. 230. ISBN 978-1-934145-00-5.