This incident is from [Devi:4.4-64]. The sage Vyasa, the great composer of the Mahabharata, lived in his ashram on the banks of the Saraswati river. One day, as he sat by the river, his attention was drawn to a family of sparrows. The mother and father sparrow were busy feeding their young, and Vyasa was deeply moved by the love and dedication the sparrows showed toward their offspring. Reflecting on this, Vyasa thought to himself, “Even a simple sparrow exhibits such deep affection for its young. How much more, then, must humans, who are capable of far greater emotions, be driven by their love for their children? It is no surprise that a man will do anything for his progeny.”
This thought naturally led Vyasa to consider the importance of progeny in human life. He recalled that all scriptures emphasize the significance of the householder’s life as the highest form of Dharma (truth/duty). He remembered the Puranic teaching that those without children cannot fulfill their ancestral obligations and cannot ascend to the higher realms after death. The gates of heaven, Vyasa reflected, remain closed to those who die without issue.
Connection to the Concept of Dharma and Ancestors
The concern Vyasa felt echoes a central tenet of Hinduism: the idea that Pitru Rina (the debt to ancestors) can only be repaid through having children who will continue the lineage and perform the necessary rites to honor the deceased. This notion of lineage is reflected in many other mythological stories, such as Dasharatha’s longing for a son in the Ramayana. Dasharatha performed the Putrakameshti Yajna, a sacrificial ritual, to beget sons who would carry on his lineage. Similarly, Bhishma, though bound by a vow of celibacy, arranged for Vyasa to father children on the widows of Vichitravirya, ensuring that the Kuru dynasty would continue.
Narada’s Visit and the Revelation of Shakti’s Supreme Power
As Vyasa pondered his fate, feeling the weight of being issueless, the divine sage Narada appeared before him. As is customary in Indian tradition, Vyasa greeted and worshiped the sage according to the prescribed rituals, and then humbly inquired about the reason for Narada’s visit. Narada, who was always in tune with the concerns of the universe, had sensed Vyasa’s inner turmoil. He said, “O sage, I felt that you were troubled, and thus I have come to see what ails you.”
Vyasa, in response, explained his dilemma. “O great one, I am deeply troubled because I have no children. It is well known that one without issue cannot aspire to heaven. However, I am unsure which deity to worship to overcome this predicament. I wish to know who is the supreme force that can grant me a child.”
The Question of Supreme Reality
Vyasa’s question about the supreme force reflects a recurring theme in Hindu mythology, where sages and kings frequently seek knowledge about the ultimate power in the universe. This search for the supreme truth is also seen in the story of Markandeya, who, seeking protection from Yama, the god of death, ultimately discovers the divine truth in Shiva. Similarly, Arjuna, in the Bhagavad Gita, seeks guidance from Krishna, ultimately realizing that Krishna is the Supreme Being who encompasses all of creation.
In response to Vyasa’s query, Narada shared a profound truth that Lord Brahma had once asked of Vishnu. Narada said, “This same question was posed by Brahma to Vishnu. And the answer Vishnu gave was that Shakti—the divine feminine energy—is the ultimate reality. She is the supreme force behind the universe. Without her, Vishnu cannot perform his duty of protection, Brahma cannot create, and Shiva cannot destroy. She is the life force that sustains all existence.”
| Entity | Role in the Universe | Shakti’s Role |
|---|---|---|
| Vishnu | Preserver of the universe | Vishnu cannot protect without Shakti’s energy |
| Brahma | Creator of the universe | Brahma’s power of creation derives from Shakti |
| Shiva | Destroyer of the universe | Shiva’s ability to destroy and regenerate depends on Shakti |
| Shakti | The supreme, all-encompassing force | Shakti is the essence of creation, preservation, and destruction |
This revelation of Shakti’s supremacy echoes the teachings of Devi Mahatmya, where Devi is hailed as the ultimate power behind all the gods. In the battle against the buffalo demon Mahishasura, it is Shakti in her form as Durga who slays the demon when all the male gods are powerless. This demonstrates the belief that even the great gods—Vishnu, Shiva, and Brahma—derive their strength from the Divine Mother.
The Story of Hayagreeva
To further illustrate Shakti’s supreme power, Narada narrated the story of Hayagreeva, the horse-headed demon. In ancient times, Hayagreeva obtained a boon that made him nearly invincible, and he began terrorizing the universe. Neither Vishnu nor Shiva could defeat him. In desperation, the gods turned to Shakti. It was only through her energy that Vishnu could take the form of Hayagreeva Vishnu and slay the demon. This story emphasizes that the gods themselves rely on Shakti to accomplish their tasks and maintain cosmic order.
Vyasa’s Penance to the Devi
Following Narada’s advice, Vyasa resolved to worship Shakti to fulfill his desire for progeny. He retired to the Himalayas, the abode of many ascetics and gods, to perform a rigorous penance dedicated to Devi. The Himalayas are a sacred space in Indian mythology, often serving as the site of divine penance and revelation. It was in these mountains that Arjuna performed his penance to obtain the Pasupatastra from Shiva, and where Bhagiratha prayed to bring the Ganga to earth.
| Characters | Penance and Result | Connection to Other Mythological Stories |
|---|---|---|
| Vyasa | Performs penance to Shakti for progeny | Similar to Arjuna’s penance for divine weapons in the Mahabharata |
| Shakti | The supreme power that grants Vyasa’s desire | Her power mirrors Devi’s victory over Mahishasura in the Devi Mahatmya |
| Narada | Sage who reveals Shakti’s supremacy to Vyasa | Narada frequently acts as a divine messenger, connecting beings to higher spiritual truths |
Thus, this episode, embedded within the larger narrative of the Mahabharata and Puranic texts, illustrates the pivotal role of the divine feminine energy, Shakti, in the cosmic balance. Vyasa’s yearning for progeny reflects a universal human concern for legacy, dharma, and salvation, while Narada’s revelation reminds us of the power of Shakti, the ultimate force guiding all creation, preservation, and destruction in the universe.