The writing of the Mahabharata
In writing the Mahabharata he had as his stenographer Lord Ganesha. Ganesha had stipulated the condition that the dictation had to be in a continuous flow, without a break. Vyasa accepted the challenge but put down his own condition that Ganesha had to understand every word dictated. So the saying goes that whenever Vyasa wanted a break he would dictate a verse that was very difficult to understand. This gave him the much-needed respite!
The Mahabharata is not only a work of art, poetic excellence and entertainment, it has inspired generations of Indians right through the ages with its useful instructions on life and the immortal message of the Bhagavad-Gita.
Oliver Goldsmith's saying
“And still they gazed, and still the wonder grew
that one small head could carry all he knew."
is an apt description of the great sage Vyasa to whom we offer our respects on the day of Guru Purnima.
