# Vyāsadeva > [!summary] > *Vyāsadeva (also known as Kṛṣṇa-dvaipāyana Vyāsa) is the seventeenth incarnation of the Supreme Lord, who appeared in this world to compile the Vedic literatures for the benefit of the fallen souls of Kali-yuga. Born from the union of Parāśara Muni and Satyavatī, he divided the one Veda into four parts (Ṛg, Yajur, Sāma, Atharva), composed the Mahābhārata, the Purāṇas, and the Vedānta-sūtra. Yet despite these monumental achievements, he remained dissatisfied until his spiritual master Nārada Muni instructed him to describe the transcendental pastimes of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Through devotional meditation, Vyāsa saw Lord Kṛṣṇa directly and compiled Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, which he taught to his son Śukadeva Gosvāmī.* ![[images/all-catalogs/SB-1_1_5.jpg]] ## Incarnation of the Lord Lord Krsna declares that among the sages, He is Vyasa. This confirms Vyasadeva's divine nature as an empowered incarnation who descended to give Vedic knowledge to humanity. ![[bg/10/37]] He appeared in the seventeenth incarnation specifically to divide the Vedas into accessible branches for people of diminished intelligence in the age of Kali. ![[sb/1/3/21]] ## Compassion for the Fallen Souls Through his transcendental vision, Vyasadeva foresaw the deterioration of human society in Kali-yuga. He observed that people would become faithless, short-lived, and dull-witted. Out of compassion, he contemplated how to help humanity in all circumstances of life. ![[sb/1/4/17-18]] ## Dissatisfaction Despite Great Works Even after compiling the Vedas, Mahabharata, Puranas, and Vedanta-sutra for the welfare of all people, Vyasadeva's heart remained unsatisfied. This is the remarkable turning point in his mission. ![[sb/1/4/26]] ## Narada's Instructions When Narada Muni arrived, he diagnosed the cause of Vyasadeva's discontent: though he had described religious duties, karma, and jnana extensively, he had not sufficiently glorified the Supreme Personality of Godhead directly. ![[sb/1/5/8]] ## Meditation and Divine Vision Following Narada's instructions, Vyasadeva sat in meditation on the banks of the Sarasvati River. Through pure devotional service (bhakti-yoga), he achieved the perfect vision of the Absolute Truth — seeing Lord Krsna along with His material energy fully under His control. ![[sb/1/7/4]] ## Composition of Srimad-Bhagavatam Having seen the Lord directly, Vyasadeva compiled Srimad-Bhagavatam — the literary incarnation of God — as the remedy for the material miseries of all living beings. This great work awakens devotion to Lord Krsna and frees one from lamentation, illusion, and fear. ![[sb/1/7/6]] ![[sb/1/7/7]] ## The Glory of His Work Srimad-Bhagavatam stands as Vyasadeva's supreme contribution, surpassing all other Vedic literatures. It presents pure devotional service without any tinge of fruitive work or speculative knowledge, and enables one to capture the Supreme Lord within the heart. ![[cc/adi/1/91]] ## From the Scriptures **Srimad-Bhagavatam, Canto 1** — The appearance and mission of Vyasadeva: - [[sb/1/3/21|SB 1.3.21]] — His incarnation as the seventeenth avatara - [[sb/1/4|SB 1.4: The Appearance of Sri Narada]] — Division of Vedas, his dissatisfaction - [[sb/1/5|SB 1.5: Narada's Instructions on Srimad-Bhagavatam]] — The diagnosis and remedy - [[sb/1/7/4|SB 1.7.4]] — His meditation and vision of the Lord - [[sb/1/7/6-7|SB 1.7.6-7]] — Purpose and glory of Bhagavatam **Bhagavad-gita:** - [[bg/10/37|Bg. 10.37]] — Krsna as Vyasa among the sages **Sri Caitanya-caritamrta:** - [[cc/adi/1/91|Adi 1.91]] — The unparalleled glory of Srimad-Bhagavatam ## Related Articles - [[wiki/articles/sukadeva-goswami|Śukadeva Gosvāmī]] — His son who spoke the Bhāgavatam - [[wiki/articles/narada-muni|Nārada Muni]] — His spiritual master - [[wiki/articles/king-pariksit|King Parīkṣit]] — The ideal hearer of his work - [[wiki/articles/the-speaker-and-listener-of-bhagavatam|The speaker and listener of Bhāgavatam]] — The divine exchange - [[wiki/articles/the-glories-of-srimad-bhagavatam|The glories of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam]] — His supreme contribution - [[wiki/articles/the-disciplic-succession|The disciplic succession]] — Paramparā ## From the Index - [[index/entries/vyasadeva|Vyāsadeva]] — Comprehensive index entry (114 references) - [[index/entries/vyasa-krsna-dvaipayana|Vyāsa, Kṛṣṇa-dvaipayana]] — Alternate name entry - [[index/entries/veda|Vedas]] — What he compiled and divided - [[index/entries/srimad-bhagavatam|Srimad-Bhāgavatam]] — His literary contribution