Vyasa Arrives and is Honored at Janamejaya's Sacrifice

The news traveled: King Janamejaya, great-grandson of the Pandavas, had been instated at a snake-sacrifice. Hearing this, the sage Krishna Dvaipayana — Vyasa — went to the sacrificial grounds. Vyasa was no ordinary sage. He was born on an island in the Yamuna river, in the womb of the virgin Kali, fathered by the sage Parashara. As soon as he was born, he willed his body to maturity and mastered the Vedas, the Vedangas (auxiliary sciences), and all the histories. He achieved what could not be surpassed through austerities, study, rites, fasting, progeny, or sacrifices. He was the one who first divided the single Veda into four parts. He was a brahmarshi (a sage who has realized Brahman), knower of everything, a wise poet, truthful and pure. To continue the lineage of Shantanu, this great soul had himself fathered Pandu, Dhritarashtra, and Vidura. Now, accompanied by disciples learned in the Vedas, he entered the sacrificial assembly of the rajarshi (royal sage) Janamejaya. He saw the king seated, surrounded by his many sacrificial assistants, like the god Indra surrounded by the devas. Lords of many countries who had undergone the ritual baths were there, along with skilled officiating priests, the equals of Brahma, seated on the sacred kusha grass. On seeing the rishi approach, Janamejaya, the best of the Bharata lineage, advanced in great delight with all his companions. With the approval of the sacrificial priests, the king offered Vyasa a golden seat, just as Indra once offered one to his preceptor Brihaspati. When the granter of boons was seated, worshipped by the devarshis (divine sages), the lord of kings worshipped him according to the norms laid down in the sacred texts. Janamejaya offered his grandfather Krishna water to wash his feet and mouth, ritual oblations, and a cow, as the rituals prescribed. Vyasa was delighted. He accepted all the offerings made by the Pandava Janamejaya, including the cow.