In the previous episode, we had witnessed the continuation of the conversation between Sage Pouranika and the other sages assembled at Naimishaaranya, including Sage Shounaka. The sages were eager to understand all the dialogues that took place in the sidelines of the “Sarpa-Yaaga” conducted by King Janame-Jaya. It is at this time, we witness Sage Vyaasa coming into the venue of the “Sarpa-Yaaga”. As King Janame-Jaya pays all his formal respects to him, he asks Sage Vyaasa about his past, and why was a huge war at Kurukshetra. King Janame-Jaya was also eager to understand why there was a huge feud between his ancestors, the Paandavas and their perpetual enemies, the Kauravas. As King Janame-Jaya asks Sage Vyaasa for a detailed explanation regarding this, Sage Vyaasa replies that he had already documented all of this earlier and the details would be shared to King Janame-Jaya by Sage Vaishampayana who was also amidst that same gathering. As Sage Vyaasa points fingers to Sage Vaishampayana thus, he leaves the place immediately, and it is all now over to Sage Vaishampaayana to take over the proceedings, to enlighten the gathering.
Sage Vaishampayana starts thus,
“Shruthvaa tu sarpa satraaya deekhitam janame jayam!
Abhyagacchath drishir vidhwaan krishnadvaipaayanastathaa!!”
As we all know, Sage Vyaasa’s other name is Krishna-Dwaipayana. This is what is mentioned in the above Sloka. As we also know, Sage Vyaasa was the son of Sage Paraashara, who in turn authored the Shri Vishnu Puraana, which we’ve witnessed in our earlier project. Thus, as Sage Vyaasa leaves the stage open to Sage Vaishampayana, he has to start from somewhere, isn’t it? Sage Vaishampayana was wondering for a moment as to where to begin the story from! He has no other option but to begin from Bhagawan Brahma himself! Bhagawan Brahma’s “Maanasa putra” was Sage Vasishta. Sage Vasishta’s son was Sage Shakti. Sage Shakti’s son was Sage Paraashara. Sage Paraashara’s son was Sage Veda-Vyaasa. Sage Vyaasa’s son was Sage Shukaachaarya. This is the family lineage that is well known to us by now, as we’ve been witnessing through right from our Shrimad Bhaagawatha Puraana project to Shri Vishnu Puraana project and now to Mahabhaarata.
As Sage Vaishampayana commences with this family lineage thus, he lays a special emphasis on Sage Veda-Vyaasa, because he is the “Karta” (The Divine Author) of this huge Mahabharata text. Sage Vaishampayana explains how Sage Vyaasa was a great scholar, a great poet, a great “Tapasvi” (Extremely powerful in penance) and if at all one commences an “Upanyaasa” of any sorts, the first person to worship is “Sage Vyaasa”. This is why they have something called as “Vyaasa-Peetham” even today when prominent spiritual discourses happen. Thus, Sage Vaishampaayana commences with his accord on Sage Vyaasa and moves on into the main story, which talks about how Bhishmaachaarya, Guru Dhronaachaarya, the Paandavas, the Kauravas, etc. were born. But before that, there is an important message that needs to be discussed in detail. What is that message? Let’s wait till the next episode to witness it! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 