Sage Vyasa is highly regarded as an intellectual who gave this world an extraordinary composition of literature. It is said that Sage Vyasa was forcefully evicted from Varanasi or old Kashi by Lord Shiva and was never allowed to enter into the city again. This Lord Shiva did in a fit of anger, for which he is well known. Later, Sage Vyasa stayed there on opposite side of River Ganges, now called Ramnagar. He made there a hut and composed epic Mahabharata, the longest epic of the world. The place where Sage stayed, worshipped, meditated and composed Mahabharata is constructed into a temple to pay tribute to the legendary Sage Vyasa.
Location of Vyasa Temple in Varanasi :
Vyasa temple is located on opposite bank of River Ganges in Ramnagar connected by Lal Bahadur Shastri Bridge toVaranasi.
How to reach Vyasa Temple in Varanasi :
One can take any buses operating from Varanasi to Ramnagar.
One can ferry by boats also if wishes to enjoy boating with registered tourist guide or without guide
On can hire private cab also to visit Ramnagar – Click here to know car rental tariff for RamNagar
Legends related to Vyasa Temple :
Sage Vyasa is considered one of incarnation of Lord Vishnu, the Kala Avatar. Sage Vyasa has compiled mighty Vedas into more comprehensible form of Vedant Sutras. Sutras meaning formulae and these sutras give formulae to comprehend four Vedas; The Rigveda, The Yajur veda, The Sama veda, The Atharwa veda. Thus he is given the name Veda Vyasa. This compilation was done to make Vedas easily reachable for common folk and bring out of sole authority of Brahmanas so that common people would no more remain ignorant of true essence of religion. He is said to be one of seven Chiranjivis; meaning long lived or immortal.
He is the fourth generation of Advaita Rishi Parampara. Advaita Philosophy teaches monotheism. Advaita philosophy gained popularity at a time when Brahmanical Dominance was making traditional practices more ritualistic and sacrificial. Monotheism teaches one god theory and universality of the god. It also teaches the Philosophy that all the creatures are part of universal god and hence god assimilates everyone in himself. It says to get Salvation one should focus on karma and devotion to god not in worshipping the 33,000 gods as mentioned in Brahmanical Hindu scriptures.
As the legend goes, once Sage Vyasa cursed Varanasi when he could not find alms in the city. When he came again he got alms but he was cursed by Lord Shiva for making bad temper on people of the city as the city was of Lord Shiva and he did not had authority to curse its dwellers. He made his residence on another bank of River Ganges as a curse to him to not enter to the city.
History of the traditional beginnings :
It is said that Vyasa was born, composed his epic Mahabharata and compiled Vedas on the same day of Guru Poornima hence this day is celebrated as the festival in memory of sage. Sage Vyasa had Dhritarashtra and Panduas his sons, who later became fathers of Great Kauravas and Pandawas mentioned in epic Mahabharata. His third son was from a Dasi, meaning Maid known as Vidurawho is recalled as a great diplomat in Indian Traditions. His two sons Dhritarashtra and Pandu were adopted by a King Vichitravirya. Sage Vyasa is also called Dwaipayan meaning, born on island because he was born on Yamuna River island. SageVyasais also known as Krishna, meaning Black in Sanskrita because of his dark complexion. There is also a Temple dedicated to Sage Vyasa in Jalaun District of Uttar Pradesh in India because of his connection to this place. It is said that Pandawas in exile visited Sage Vyasa to get his advice on matters of court and administration to Vedagiri Hills and it is here that some remains of Ashram still remains.
About Mahabharata :
Mahabharata is largest compiled epic in the world and has no equivalence till date. It has 18000 verses and written in Sanskrita Language like many other old Indian Scriptures. Mahabharata is secular literature nothing to do with Hinduism though it is regarded by Hindus as their own. In early History there was dearth of study material and it was tough to print books like present age, so Mahabharata was handed down to generations orally for thousand years. The manuscript that we find today is considered to be of 100 BC but the real story can be dated back to thousand years nearly 100-1500 BC. Vaisampayanalater elaborated the epic and Lomaharsha and Ugrashrawas are really credited to have compiled the Mahabharata that Historians call Historical Chronology as it describes genealogy of Kings and gives and elaborate description of day to day happenings of the war fought between Kaurawas and Pandaws. It is believed by almost all that Mahabharata is a real past though it is full of exaggerations and fantasies. To relate history solely depends on what we see and find today as reliable but no one knows the reality that happened in past.
The battle of eighteen days is fought between Kaurawas and Pandavas and concluded with the victory of righteousness over evil. Mahabharata is also a good source to know the socity at that time. It reflects the idea of Poliandry and castes has existed at the time but it do not reflect upon the rigidity that has crept in to the society at present. It also reflects on acceptance of all in fold of harmony and that no one was denied of knowledge though there are instances of enviousness and suppression of tribes and their efforts to gain knowledge.
What to Enjoy at Vyasa Temple :
One can look forward to take a copy of Mahabharata in Hindi, English or any of the languages of world from the shops nearby. You can enjoy intermingling with local people and knowing more narratives.