A maharishi. Once, when Vishnu uttered the letter ‘Bhu’, a rishi was born from the sound. This was Apantaratamas. He was named so because he attained freedom from tamas or ignorance.  He’s also called Saraswata. As per Vishnu’s instructions, he categorised the vedas. He possessed knowledge of the past, present and future.

Vedavyasa is a reincarnation of Apantaratamas. As per Vishnu’s instructions, Vedavyasa was born in the Dwaparayuga as Parashara’s son to categorise the vedas, according to Shankara’s Brahmasutrabhashyam, Mundakopanishad.