In the end, I was disappointed that so little was explored by an obviously very insightful author. A few interesting folk tale traditions and the author's take on what the driving philosophy is makes the book a worthwhile read but it all smacks a bit strongly of buddhism. There is not much new insight in the book if you are familiar with the epic.
The amount of space dedicated to any given incident is too less and this makes the whole exercise a bit too shallow. Pattanaik has a wonderful way of looking at things, I only wish he had cared to look deeper with that vision. Some of the illustrations are breathtaking in their honesty and imagination and is worth every penny spent on the books.īut as the book progresses the reader gets the feeling that the incidents are treated a bit too cursorily. Devdutt adopts a very traditional stance and uses his small boxes to put in folk tales and other views on the topics. The book started well as it provided a fresh and clear take on Mahabharata without rationalizations and without apology.
Think of them as a modern variant of the Amar Chitra Kathas for the modern professional who has no time for unabridged epics! Pattanaik's myths are not to be read to 'know' the myths but only for fun. Devdutt adopts a very trad EDIT: I am stripping a star and retracting the positive aspects of this review (well, at least in statement) in light of later readings. Think of them as a modern variant of the Amar Chitra Kathas for the modern professional who has no time for unabridged epics! Original Review: The book started well as it provided a fresh and clear take on Mahabharata without rationalizations and without apology.
With clarity and simplicity, the tales in this elegant volume reveal the eternal relevance of the Mahabharata, the complex and disturbing meditation on the human condition that has shaped Indian thought for over 3000 years.moreĮDIT: I am stripping a star and retracting the positive aspects of this review (well, at least in statement) in light of later readings. Richly illustrated with over 250 line drawings by the author, the 108 chapters abound with little-known details such as the names of the hundred Kauravas, the worship of Draupadi as a goddess in Tamil Nadu, the stories of Astika, Madhavi, Jaimini, Aravan and Barbareek, the Mahabharata version of the Shakuntalam and the Ramayana, and the dating of the war based on astronomical data. In this enthralling retelling of India's greatest epic, the Mahabharata originally known as Jaya, Devdutt Pattanaik seamlessly weaves into a single narrative plots from the Sanskrit classic as well as its many folk and regional variants, including the Pandavani of Chhattisgarh, Gondhal of Maharashtra, Terukkuttu of Tamil Nadu and Yakshagana of Karnataka. What is the difference between Jaya and Vijaya? Solve this puzzle and you will solve the mystery of the Mahabharata. In Vaikuntha there is bliss forever, in Swarga there is pleasure for only as long as you deserve. One keeps you in Swarga the other raises you into Vaikuntha. The doorkeepers of Vaikuntha are the twins, Jaya and Vijaya, both whose names mean 'victory'. Still above is Vaikuntha, heaven, abode of God. What is the High above the sky stands Swarga, paradise, abode of the gods. For now, the Mahabharatam Book is available only through the printed versions.High above the sky stands Swarga, paradise, abode of the gods.
This task is still going on and when it is completed devotees can download the TTD Mahabharatam Ebooks for free from the TTD EBooks Website. In an huge task, the TTD has decided to digitize the Mahabharatam book and make it available on their website to download for free for all the pilgrims. As an alternative devotees can contact the TTD Publishing house personally and can visit the office to buy the Mahabharatam books. To contact the TTD Publishing House click Hereĭevotees can place the order of the Mahabharatam books and can get the books delivereed straight to their houses using the delivery services. The Mahabharatam books which are published by TTD are available with the TTD publishing Hours to buy and devotees who want to buy the Mahabharatam Books can contact the TTD Publishing House and can buy the Mahabharatam Books from the TTD itself.