When people think of the Mahabharata, names like Krishna, Arjuna, Bhishma and Duryodhana usually come first. But there was one extraordinary figure connected to almost every major turn in the epic: Ved Vyasa. He was not merely remembered as the traditional composer of the Mahabharata. He was also deeply connected to the Kuru dynasty itself. Through his mother Satyavati, Vyasa became part of the royal family, and according to the epic tradition, he fathered Dhritarashtra, Pandu and Vidura through niyoga. His role becomes even more fascinating when he later appears repeatedly to guide characters and warn them about the consequences of their choices.
