Names, Places, Events, Things: Ruminations and Essays on Hindu Mythology

7. Vyasa (Krishna Dwaipayana Vyasa) – Vyasa is a central and much revered figure in Hinduism. He is also sometimes called Veda Vyasa – the one who compiled the Vedas.  According to the Mahabharata, he was the son of Satyavati , a ferryman's daughter, and the wandering sage Parashara . This was before Satyavati’s marriage to Shantanu and before Devavrata became Bhishma . (See here ) Vyasa was born on an island in the river Yamuna. This is said to be near Kalpi in Jalaun district in Uttar Pradesh. He was dark in colour and hence may be called by the name Krishna कृष्णा (black), and also the name Dwaipayana द्वैपायाना , meaning 'island-born' (Dweep = island) Hindus traditionally hold that Vyasa categorised the primordial single Veda into four. Hence he was called Veda Vyasa , or "Splitter of the Vedas," the splitting being a feat that allowed people to understand the divine knowledge of the Veda. The word ‘vyasa’ means ‘analyze’ . Vyasa is traditionally kn...