Texts 6-7] Bhisma’s Passing Away 445

the right path of religion. A priest is meant for guiding the householder
progressively in the right path of asrama-dharma, or the occupational duty
of a particular caste. There is practically no difference between the family
priest and the spiritual master. The sages, saints and brahmanas were
especially meant for such functions.

Badarayana (Vydsadeva). He is known as Krsna, Krsna-dvaipayana,
Dvaipayana, Satyavatisuta, Parasarya, Parasaratmaja, Badarayana, Veda-
vyasa, etc. He was the son of Mahamuni Paraéara in the womb of Satyavati
prior to her betrothal with Maharaja Santanu, the father of the great
general Grandfather Bhismadeva. He is a powerful incarnation of Narayana,
and he broadcasts the Vedic wisdom to the world. As such, Vyasadeva is
offered respects before chanting the Vedic literature, especially the
Puranas. Sukadeva Gosvami was his son, and rsis like VaiSampayana, etc.,
were his disciples for different branches of the Vedas. He is the author of
the great epic Mahabharata and the great transcendental literature
Bhagavatam. The Brahma-siitras or the Vedanta-siitras or Badarayana-
sitras are compiled by him. Amongst sages he is the most respected
author by dint of severe penances. When he wanted to record the great
epic Mahabharata for the welfare of all people in the age of Kali, he was
feeling the necessity of a powerful writer who could take up his dictation.
By the order of Brahmaji, Sri GaneSaji took up the charge of noting down
the dictation on the condition that Vyasadeva would not stop dictation for
a moment. The Mahabharata was thus compiled by the joint endeavor of
Vyasa and GaneSa.

By the order of his mother Satyavati, who was later married to Maharaja
Santanu, and by the request of Bhismadeva, the eldest son of Maharaja
Santanu by his first wife, the Ganges, he begot three brilliant sons whose
names are Dhrtarastra, Pandu and Vidura. The Mahabharata was compiled
by Vyasadeva after the Battle of Kuruksetra and after the death of all the
heroes of Mahabharata. It was first spoken in the roval assembly of
Maharaja Janamejaya, the son of Maharaja Pariksit.

Brhadasva. An ancient sage who used to meet Maharaja Yudhisthira
now and then. First of all he met Maharaja Yudhisthira at Kamyavana.
This sage narrated the history of Maharaja Nala. There is another Brhadasgva:
who is the son of the Iksvaku dynasty (Maha. Van. 209.4-5).

Bharadvaja. He is one of the seven great rsis and was present at the time
of the birth ceremony of Arjuna. The powerful rsi sometimes undertook
severe penances on the shore of the Ganges, and his asrama is still cele-
brated at Prayagadhama. It is learned that this rsi, while taking bath in
the Ganges, happened to meet Ghrtaci, one of the beautiful society girls
