Talk:Human Guru-s as Avatāra-s

By Vishal Agarwal

Many historical teachers in the Hindu tradition are themselves regarded as incarnations of the Divine. Veda Vyāsa is regarded as an incarnation of Vishnu, whereas Shankaracharya is regarded as a manifestation of Shiva. Avvaiyar is considered an incarnation of Sarasvati. The most commonly acknowledged teacher who is worshipped as Divine is Rishi Veda Vyāsa – the son of Rishi Parāshara and the fisherwoman Satyavatī. Many of the major surviving schools of Hindu spirituality trace their tradition of teachers and students back to Veda Vyāsa, who lived approximately 3500 years ago (15th cent. BCE). He is said to have compiled the four Vedas in a form close that is available today and then taught them to his four students. Next, he also wrote the Mahabharata and compiled the Puranas (totaling half a million verses). He is also sometimes credited with the short work called ‘Vedānta Sūtras’ in which the teachings of the Upanishads are explained in a very logical and systematic way. In this way, Veda Vyāsa was involved in giving shape to most of the important scriptures of Hindu Dharm. In ancient times, Rishi Kapila was likewise regarded as Divine, especially by the followers of Sāṃkhya Darshana. In the Bhakti traditions, some followers of Kabīr regard him as a manifestation of none other than Parabrahman. Likewise, the Vālmīki community regards Rishi Vālmīki as the Supreme Lord.

The full-moon night in the month of Ashaadh in the Hindu calendar is celebrated as the birthday of Sage Veda Vyāsa. Therefore, this day is called Vyāsa Purnima, where the word Purnima means ‘full-moon night’. Since Veda Vyāsa was an exemplary Guru, his birthday is also celebrated as ‘Guru Purnima’, and traditional Hindus honor their teachers on this day every year. The following are the traditional verses that are chanted in honor of this great Rishi:

OM! Salutations to Veda Vyasa, the descendent of Vahsistha Muni and the sinless grandson of Shakti. Salutations to the son of Parashar, To the father of Shukadeva, To him who is a repository of spiritual austerities ||

Salutations to Vyasa, an incarnation of Vishnu. Salutations to Vishnu in the form of Vyasa! Salutations to him who is a repository of Brahman and the Vedic lore Repeated prostrations to the descendant of Sage Vashistha ||

Salutations to Vyasa, who is Brahma without the four heads Who is Vishnu without the four arms, Who is Shiva without the third eye. Prostrations to Bhagavan Badarayana, the teacher of Vedanta || [Traditional verses in praise of Veda Vyasa, loosely translated]