Badarayana.

Vyasa, also known as Veda Vyasa or Krishna Dvaipayana, is a significant figure in Hindu traditions, traditionally recognized as the compiler of the four Vedas, the author of the eighteen Puranas, and the composer of the Brahma Sutras. He is also famously credited with writing the epic Mahabharata, where he plays a prominent character role. Many Hindus consider him a partial incarnation of the deity Vishnu and one of the Chiranjivis, beings believed to be immortal and still alive in the current age.

His name "Vyasa" itself signifies "compiler" or "arranger," reflecting his role in organizing sacred knowledge. The title "Veda Vyasa" specifically refers to his work in dividing the single, primordial Veda into four distinct texts. The Vishnu Purana describes this division as a benevolent act to make divine knowledge accessible to humanity, adapting it to their limited capacities across different epochs. Vyasa's attributed texts, particularly the Mahabharata and the Bhagavad Gita within it, delve into profound philosophical and spiritual themes, influencing countless commentaries and readers worldwide.

Vyasa is traditionally venerated for his monumental literary contributions to Hindu scripture. He is credited with the compilation of the foundational Vedas, dividing the single, ancient Veda into four distinct branches: the Rigveda, Samaveda, Yajurveda, and Atharvaveda. This act of classification, which earned him the epithet "Veda Vyasa" (the one who classified the Vedas), is seen as a vital effort to make divine wisdom comprehensible to humankind. Beyond the Vedas, Vyasa is also recognized as the author of the eighteen major Puranas, encyclopedic works covering a vast array of religious and philosophical topics. Furthermore, he is attributed as the composer of the Brahma Sutras, a foundational text for the Vedanta school of philosophy, where he is also known as Badarayana.

The epic Mahabharata is perhaps Vyasa's most renowned work, and he is regarded as its author. Within the narrative, Vyasa is not merely a chronicler but also a central character, deeply intertwined with the lineage of the Kuru dynasty. He is depicted as the biological father of both the Pandavas (through the Niyoga practice with Kunti) and the Kauravas (through his sons Dhritarashtra and Pandu, born to Vichitravirya's widows Ambika and Ambalika). This unique familial connection positions Vyasa as a biographer of his own extended family, chronicling the great war between his descendants. The Mahabharata includes the Bhagavad Gita, a highly influential philosophical dialogue where Krishna, an avatar of Vishnu and Vyasa's grandson, imparts spiritual wisdom.

Vyasa's origin story is steeped in mystical events. Born on an island in the Yamuna River to Satyavati and the sage Parasara, he was conceived under extraordinary circumstances. Parasara, a powerful sage, used divine powers to conceal Satyavati's condition and ensure her chastity remained intact. From birth, Vyasa displayed immense spiritual radiance and wisdom, maturing rapidly into an ascetic. He is considered a partial incarnation (Amsa Avatar) of Vishnu and is counted among the Chiranjivis, the immortal beings believed to persist through the current age (Kali Yuga). He promised his mother that he would appear whenever she was in need, underscoring his enduring presence and connection to the earthly realm.