What could make a great sage like Ved Vyasa hesitate when the desire to have a son arose in his heart? It was not a lack of knowledge or divine blessings. According to the story narrated in the Devi Bhagavatam, Ved Vyasa worried about how society might judge his actions. He wanted a son who could carry his spiritual work forward, but he also feared that people might misunderstand his intentions. The story takes an unexpected turn when the celestial apsara Ghritachi appears, leading to the birth of Shukadeva, a sage whose wisdom would later illuminate the path of spiritual liberation.
