Mahabaratha - Birth of Sage Vyasa and Greatness of Parasara Maharishi

 3. Mahabaratha - Adiparva - Birth of Sage Vyasa and Greatness of Parasara Maharishi 

Parasara Maharishi is Trikala Vedi (one who knows past, present, and future events). He knew Satyavathi was the daughter of Uparichita Vasu in the present birth, and in her past birth, she was Achodha, the mind born daughter of Pitru devata. She had earned sufficient merit to be the mother of Vyasa.

Once, Parasara Maharishi was on a pilgrimage when he met Satyavathi at Yamuna River Bank. He requested her service to cross the river. To grace her and charmed by her beauty, he made a request to fulfill his wish.

Satyavathi was in denial mode, stating that she needed her father’s permission and losing her virginity before marriage was not acceptable. 

Maharishi assured and blessed that her virginity would be intact and that it is the play of destiny. He knew it was an appropriate time for Narayana to ascend (Vyasa is considered an incarnation of Sriman Narayana). 

She was told about her previous birth and about the boon she had earned. To satisfy Satyavathi's need, he created an island and covered it with a fog of dark clouds to maintain privacy. Vyasa was born immediately and grew up to the age of 7. He is also called Dwaipayana.

When asked to seek a boon, Satyavathi desired to get rid of fish odour emitting from her body. Maharishi blessed her and, from then on, a pleasant smell emitted from her body that extended to one yojana (appox 12 km). She was known as Yojana Ganda.

Vyasa offered his respects to his mother and sought permission to do tapas. He assured her that he would be available whenever she sought him. He left with his father, Parasara Maharishi. 

Greatness of Parasara Maharishi

Parasara is the son of Sage Shakti and the grandson of Sage Vasishta. Once, King Kalmashapada of the Ikswaku dynasty, had a conflict with Sage Shakti at a narrow path in a thick forest. The Sage requested to give way for him, but the king denied. When the king was stubborn, the Sage cursed him to be a demon who consumed humans. In turn, the king killed the Sage and ate him. 

King Kalmashapada, instigated by Sage Viswamitra (who had vengeance with Sage Vasistha), killed the remaining 100 sons of Sage Vasishta. 

On losing all his sons, the Sage attempted to end his life but was not successful. He returned back home only to hear Vedas. He was told by his daughter in law, Adushanthi, that the fetus inside her womb was reciting it. The Sage was happy and regained his composure. The Sage nurtured his grandson, Parasara, and taught him scriptures. 

When Parasara became aware of the cause of his father's death, he decided to take revenge on demons and wipe out their race. With timely intervention of Sage Vasishta, the yagna was stopped. 

Sage Parasara then took up austerities to please Shiva. When Shiva asked the Sage to seek a boon, he said “Getting your darshan is sufficient. I do not need anything else”. Shiva understood his mind and said, “You can go to heaven and meet your father, Sage Shakti”. 

Accordingly, Sage Parsara went to Heaven to meet his father. Such was his great deed.

He guided King Janaka, and the text is considered as Parasara Geetha.