Question

Which sage or scholar had recast the original single Veda into four distinct vedas?
A. Patanjali
B. Kapila
C.Vyasa
D. Shankaracharya

Answer 1

Hint: The Vedas are considered to be religious texts originating in ancient India.These are the oldest scriptures in Hindu religion which are written in Sanskrit.

Complete answer: The four Vedas include Rig Veda, Yajur Veda, Atharva Veda and Sama Veda. He is the author of the Mahabharata and the Puranas and is also the compiler of the Vedas.Vyasa is also known as Krishna Dvaipayana. This name is an indication of his complexion and birth place. In the Mahabharata Vyasa is said to be the son of Satyabati, who was the daughter of a ferryman and a sage from the lineage of Vasistha muni whose name was Parashara.He compiled the Vedas and arranged four kinds of mantra into the four Samahitas. He was referred to as Ved Vyasa which means ‘splitter of the Vedas’.He is also a character in the Mahabharata. In the epic he was the grandfather of the Kauravas and the Pandavas.The term Vyasa was applied to the highest gurus in India.Vyasa split the Vedas so that ordinary people could understand its divine knowledge.
Looking at the options:
Option A: Patanjali is known as one of the greatest sages in India. He is famous for his texts on yoga. Therefore this is not the correct answer.
Option B: Kapila is the most well known as the founder of Samkhya school of Indian philosophy. Hence this too is incorrect.
Option C: Vyasa means “ splitter of the Vedas”. Hence this is the correct answer.
Option D: Shankaracharya was known for consolidating the Advaita Vedanta. This is incorrect.

Hence, Option C is the correct answer.

Note: Vyasa is given the credit for writing the 18 Puranas. The narrator of the major Purana-Bhagavata -Purana is his son Shuka. Vyasa appears as Kanha-Dipayana which is the Pali version of his name, in Buddhist traditions. He also appears in Arthashastra which is the one non-religious book.