Vyasa

Episode#9

The story of the origin of Vyasa was known to a few as he was born in the middle of the night under strange circumstances.

The story goes thus - Satyavati, also known as Matasya-Gandha' (since she smelled like a fish) she ferried people across river Ganga.

One winter evening, the sun was about to set and she was contemplating to return home but when elderly sage named Parasar requested her to leave him on the opposite shore. Finding improper to decline him, she envisaged her last trip for the sake of the sage, when they were in the middle of the river, the sage expressed his desire to make love to her and have a child by her, with fear and apprehension, she said "if I bear a child, no one will marry me".

The sage comforted and promised her, "do not worry, with my magical powers you will bear a child now but also regain your virginity." He also blessed her that she will never smell of fish; instead she will emit fragrance of flowers that all men will find it irresistible.

When Matasya-Gandha agreed, they made love in the middle of the river and before the ferry reached the other shore,  she attained motherhood and due to the
Sage's powers, also regained her virginity, and now she carried a beautiful aura of fragrant flowers.

The child born out of this union was raised by sage Parasar and named Krishna Dwaipayana, (which means the dark child delivered in the middle of the river) and was eventually known as Vyasa (co-brother of Bhisma) who later complied the ancient scripture of Mahabharata.