The Mahabharata is a collection of 18 parvas, which was written by Sage Ved Vyasa (Krishna Dvaipayana Vyasa). Vyasadeva narrated the epic to Lord Ganesha, who helped him to write the Mahabharata. So, the answer is twofold: the author and composer of the Mahabharata is credited to be Ved Vyasa, and Lord Ganesha was the one who wrote it down.
Why Ganesha Wrote Mahabharata?
When Vyasadeva decided to write the Mahabharata, he was looking for a scribe who could write at an incredible speed and, at the same time, understand the complex nature of the verses. He prayed to Lord Brahma for help. Lord Brahma advised him to go to Lord Ganesha, who is very intelligent and the remover of all obstacles.
How Ganesha Wrote Mahabharata?
Lord Ganesha agreed to write the Mahabharata at the request of Vyasadeva on one condition: that he would have to recite the entire epic without ever pausing. If he paused for a while, then he would stop writing. Vyasadeva accepted the condition but placed a countercondition that Ganesha must fully understand the complexities and meaning of each verse before writing it down. This gave Vyasadeva a few moments to think and compose complex verses.
What Was Ved Vyasa’s Role in Writing the Mahabharata?
Ved Vyasa’s role in writing the Mahabharata was that of a writer and composer. He gave the whole of the Mahabharata as it was, without interpretation. Ved Vyasa was a character in the Mahabharata as well. So he knew the intentions, actions, and circumstances of the Kauravas, Pandavas, and other important characters. This enabled him to present the events and their narration with a comprehensive understanding of the story.
How Many Days Did Ganesha Took to Write Mahabharata?
In the Mahabharata, Adi Parva, chapter 62, verse 52, it is stated that Vyasa completed the composition of the Mahabharata in three years. However, none of the scriptures specify how many days Ganesha took to write the Mahabharata.
Conclusion
Lord Ganesha wrote the Mahabharata at the request of Ved Vyasa, understanding the meaning of each verse and writing the epic continuously. By the grace of both Ved Vyasa and Lord Ganesha, this holy Mahabharata was composed. Hearing or reading it from an authorized source can make one completely free from the reactions of sins and elevate one to the spiritual platform.
Adapted from the Gupt Vrindavan Dham blog: Who Wrote Mahabharata: Ved Vyasa or Lord Ganesha?.
