WAISAMPAYANA (VAISAMPAYANA) THE GREAT SAGE

 

General Information

Waisampayana was a well-known student of the great sage Vyasa. Vyasa had many important disciples, and Vaisampayana was one of them. The Devi Bhagavata (Skandha 1) mentions that Vyasa’s main disciples were Asita, Devala, Waisampayana, Sumantu, Jaimini, and Paila. These disciples learned sacred knowledge from Vyasa and helped in spreading it.

Other Details

Waisampayana played an important role in preserving and sharing the story of the Bharata. Vyasa had written this great epic, and Waisampayana was chosen to tell it to King Janamejaya. This is mentioned in the Mahabharata (Adi Parva, Chapter 1, Stanza 20).

Vyasa gave Waisampayana the task of narrating the Mahabharata to King Janamejaya. Following his teacher’s instructions, Vaisampayana recited the great story to the king (M.B. Adi Parva, Chapter 60, Verse 22).

Waisampayana also spoke highly of the Mahabharata. He described its greatness and the wisdom it contained. He explained that this epic was not just a story but a source of deep knowledge and moral teachings (M.B. Adi Parva, Chapter 62, Stanza).

However, there was a time when Waisampayana made a serious mistake. Due to ignorance, he committed a grave sin by killing a Brahmin. Despite this act, he was still able to attain heaven. The Mahabharata (Anushasana Parva, Chapter 6, Stanza 36) mentions that he was forgiven and achieved a place in the divine realm.

Waisampayana remains an important figure in Hindu tradition because of his role in preserving the Mahabharata and passing down its teachings.