Vyasa, the legendary Indian sage, is hailed for composing the Mahabharata, an epic blend of legendary and didactic poetry with a central heroic narrative. Born circa 1500 BCE, India celebrates Guru Purnima on his birthday. Legend holds that Vyasa, son of ascetic Parashara and dasyu princess Satyavati, was nurtured in forests by hermits, learning the Vedas. Evolving into a revered teacher and priest near the Sarasvati river, he fathered Shuka, a son and disciple, and gathered followers. In his Himalayan abode, Vyasa divided the Vedas, authored Puranas, and, in a mere two and a half years, narrated the Mahabharata to his scribe Ganesha, the elephant god.