1.15 Arjuna Laments on Krishna’s death
From previous posting …….You have also ruled for a number of years. You have
earned a good name. The Dwapara Yuga is almost over. It is better for you all,
too, to go to heaven. Give this message to Yudhishthira." Arjuna carried Vyasa's
message to Yudhishthira.
1.16 Lord Ganesha Assists Vyasa
Vyasa was an eyewitness to the happenings in the Dwapara Yuga. He saw the rise
of quite a number of powerful kings and dynasties. Rishis could live for
hundreds of years by the power of 'tapas' and 'yoga'. They could conquer old age
and death if they so willed. Vyasa was one such rishi. It is believed that he is
still living in Badari. It was Vyasa himself who gave the story of Mahabharata
to mankind.
Many years after the Mahabharata War, one day Lord Brahma came to
Badarikashrama. Vyasa received him with due regard. Then Vyasa said, "What
brings you all the way to my hermitage?"
"You have witnessed the Mahabharata War, You knew of everything that happened.
It will be an excellent thing if you write the story of the Mahabharata."
Sage Vyasa need somebody who can take down the story and accordingly Brahama
arranged Lord Ganesha. Ganesha was a boy then. Lord Ganesha put forth a
condition
"My Lord, you should not stop the narration at any point, the story must flow
without pause. I shall write it down as Smoothly as one gulps down a cup of
water. If you stop at any point, I will give up my job and go away" - Lord
Ganesha spoke quietly. Vyasa nodded his head in admiration. He said
"Yes, I accept your conditions. But you should understand every word before you
set it down." Lord Vinayaka cheerfully accepted the challenge.
Thus began the composition of the story of Mahabharata. Vyasa went on dictating;
Lord Ganesha took down faithfully. Even before Vyasa completed a stanza, Ganesha
would finish writing it. He would hustle Vyasa to go on with it.
The Mahabharata story is called the Fifth Veda. It is also known as Jaya. The
Bhagavad-Gita, which is, honored all over the world as a book of wisdom forms a
part of the Mahabharata. Thus sage Vyasa has left a rich legacy of knowledge to
our country.
Vyasa completed the Maha Bharatham in 60 lakhs granthams. This comprises the
Kandapuranam, Ramayanam, Savithri Puranam, Nala Puranam and so on.
Lord Ganesha wrote them on Mount Meru using his tusk. Of these 60 lakh
granthams, 30 lakhs are supposed to be in the Deva Lokam, 15 lakhs in Yaksha
Lokam and 14 lakhs in Asura Lokam. Only the remaining 1 lakh granthams are
assumed to be on the earth.
1.17 Vyasarahasyam
Sage Vyasa is supposed to have sung 8,800 granthams, which were difficult for
Ganesha to decipher. He has stated himself this to Lord Ganesha, Sage Vyasa and
his son sage Sugan are probably the only ones who know the meaning of those
8,800 granthams.
Whenever Ganesha hustled him, he hurled a difficult stanza at him. By the time
the child-god understood it and wrote it down, Vyasa would be ready with the
next stanza. The stanzas over which Ganesha had to pause have come to be called
Vyasa Rahasya.
1.18 Mahabharata story become Public
King Janamejaya was ruling over Hastinavati at the time. He was Arjuna's
great-grandson. He learnt that Vyasa had witnessed the Mahabharata War. He was
eager to hear the story of his mighty ancestors from him. He consulted his
ministers and decided to perform a great 'yaga'. No 'rishi' would ever refuse to
attend a 'yaga'.
Janamejaya sent his chief priest to invite Vyasa. He arrived in Hastinavati with
his disciples. When the festivities were over, the king persuaded Vyasa to stay
for a few days. One day Janamejaya requested to Vyasa, "Master, you knew my
ancestors. You know their stories. Kindly tell their storyâ€
"Yes, son- my disciple Vaishampayana will narrate the story," answered Vyasa,
and asked his disciple to narrate the story in detail. The disciple repeated it
exactly as he had heard it from the master. Janamejaya listened to the story in
rapt silence
1.19 Vedavyasa- His contributions
It was sage Vyasa who classified the Vedas into four branches - Rig, Yajur, Sama
and Atharva Vedas. Formerly, it formed a single body of knowledge. Hence name
for him Vedavyasa.
Vyasa had a number of disciples. The four great 'rishis' called Vaishampayana,
Paila, Jaimini and Sumantu took the Vedas to people in different corners. Some
people found the Vedas difficult to understand. So Vyasa wrote the Brahmasutras
in order to explain the meaning of the Vedas. To explain the mean background of
the Brahmasutras he wrote the eighteen Puranas; in these he wrote about the
great men connected with Brahmasutras and also told moral tales. At the end of
it all, Vyasa wrote the Harivamsha, the history of Lord Krishna.
The Itihasas and Puranas are called the fifth Veda. Seeing that the women, the
Sudras and the fallen Brahmanas, Kshatriyas and Vaisyas were debarred even from
hearing the Vedas, and did not know how to perform acts that are conductive to
good, the sage was good enough to compose the Mahabharata in order that women
and others too might attain blessedness through the same.
Out of compassion the great sage Vedavyasa thought it wise that all mankind
achieve the ultimate goal of life. Thus he compiled the historical treatise
known as the Mahabharata for the women, laborers and friends of the brahmanas.
Vedavyasa compiled the Mahabharata under the auspices of disciple succession,
properly explaining what is essential so that even women, laborers and those not
qualified to read the Vedas can envision the path of righteousness.
1.20 Vedavyasa â€"a sage seen seven generations
Sage Vedavyasa witnessed the rise and fall of seven generations from Shantanu to
Janamejaya. He lived among gigantic heroes like Lord Krishna, Bheeshma and
Yudhishthira He spoke encouragingly to the good and the pious. He was himself an
example to others and his life was as pure as fire. The stories of such great
men shed light on our path.
--
If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.
Happy moments, praise God.
Difficult moments, seek God.
Quiet moments, worship God.
Painful moments, trust God.
Every moment, thank God
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