Chapter 23 - On the Puranas (continued, 3)

When Valmiki had finished the Ramayana, the god, Brahma, came to him and said,

“You have finished the Ramayana, and, with it, your duty; and so you have earned an everlasting fame. But the goddess, Sarasvati, is still desirous of making use of your mouth which is like a fullblown lotus. I, therefore, wish you to sing the sacred ancient history, to be known as the Mahabharata, for which I have already arranged materials in my mind.”

Valmiki said,

“My lord, I have completely finished my duty by composing the Ramayana, and there is not the slightest trace of further ambition in me now. If Sarasvati wishes to dwell permanently in the mouth of a poet, let her do so in that of Vedavyasa when he is born in the Dvapara^[1] age. He will compose the Mahabharata, the Puranas and the Upapuranas, and will sub-divide the Vedas. I shall put him in the way to do so.”

Brahma said, “Let it be so.”

Long, long after this conversation, in the beginning of the Dvapara age, Vedavyasa was born, and he shone in the refulgence of his wisdom which came to him from the Lord Vishnu himself. He found the people of his age weak in intelligence, and, therefore, divided the Vedas into smaller parts.

One day Vedavyasa, along with a large number of other Munis and Rishis, was invited to a meeting on mount Sumeru by Brahma.

When all were comfortably seated Brahma spoke as follows:—

“In ancient times I had planned out the future events of the Ramayana in my mind, and they were given a poetic expression to by Valmiki with the aid of Sarasvati, and under my instructions. Since then I have planned out the Mahabharata, and eighteen Puranas, with as many Upapuranas, but they have not yet been versified. I want to know which of you sages present here are willing to take up the task.”

No one having answered the question, the hoary-headed Narada stood up, and, having prostrated himself before Brahma, said,

“I wish to remind you, sir, of the talk you had with Valmiki on the subject. He told you that Vedavyasa would be born in the Dvapara age and would compose the Mahabharata.

Now, Vedavyasa is quite competent to take up not only this work but also the Puranas and the Upapuranas mentioned by you.”

On hearing this the other sages exclaimed,

“O Brahma we are all willing and fit to take up any work entrusted to us. So, let us know what portion of the work you wish each of us to do. Why should Vyasa alone be singled out to carry out your wishes?”

Brahma seeing the likelihood of unpleasantness arising in the meeting, said that he knew that every one of those present was competent to compose Puranas, but that he should refer the matter to King Janaka for his decision, and asked them to go to him.

The Munis and Rishis all went to Raja Janaka accordingly.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

For description of ages see page [?] Chapter LVII.