Introduction
Vyasa is the son of the sage Parashara and Satyavati. He is traditionally considered the compiler of the Vedas, the author of the Mahabharata, and the Puranas. He is also a character in the epic, as the grandfather of the Kauravas and Pandavas.
This article primarily follows the Mahabharata. Where a well-known detail comes from a Puranic or later source, the article identifies it.
Family
- Father: Parashara
- Mother: Satyavati
- Siblings: Chitrangada (son of Shantanu), Vichitravirya
- Son: Vidura
- Sons by niyoga (legal sons of Vichitravirya): Dhritarashtra, Pandu
Birth
Vyasa was born on an island in the Yamuna, and is called Dvaipayana, "island-born", and Krishna for his dark complexion. He became a sage at once and left, telling his mother to call on him whenever she needed.
Niyoga
After Vichitravirya's death, Satyavati asked Vyasa to father children with Vichitravirya's widows. He fathered Dhritarashtra, Pandu, and, with a maid, Vidura.
Role in the epic
Vyasa advises the Pandavas at critical moments. He gave Sanjaya divine sight so that he could report the war to Dhritarashtra, and he is the narrator of the epic to Vaishampayana, who recites it to Janamejaya. Vyasa is also regarded as one of the seven Chiranjivis, the long-lived.