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Culture 50 Insights from Mythology
How do myths and stories influence culture? What is the difference between one culture and another, and how did these differences come to be? Are cultures fixed or do they change over time? Devdutt Pattanaik, India's leading mythologist, breaks down the complex maze of stories, symbols and rituals to examine how they shape cultures. He investigates how stories influence perception and construct truths, the cultural roots of the notion of evil and reveals the need for mythology through a telling of various Indian and Western myths. In doing so, he shows how myths reflect the culture they emerge from while simultaneously reinforcing the source. Culture: 50 Insights from Mythology is a groundbreaking work that contextualizes mythology and proposes that myths are alive, dynamic, shaped by perception and the times one lives in. About the Author Devdutt Pattanaik Writes, illustrates and lectures on the relevance of mythology in modern times. He has, since 1996, written over thirty books and 700 columns on how stories, symbols and rituals construct the subjective truth (myths) of ancient and modern cultures around the world. His books include 7 Secrets of Hindu Calendar Art (Westland), Myth=Mithya : A Handbook of Hindu Mythology (Penguin), Jaya : An Illustrated Retelling of the Mahabharata (Penguin), Sita : An Illustrated Retelling of the Ramayana (Penguin), Olympus : An Indian Retelling of the Greek Myths (Penguin), Business Sutra: A Very Indian Approach to Management (Aleph Book Company), My Gita (Rupa Publications) and Devlok with Devdutt Pattanaik (Penguin).
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Devlok With Devdutt Pattanaik Part-2
Are the illustrious clans of the Mahabharata from Surya Vansh or Chandra Vansh? Which yuga does the Ramayana occur in, and does it occur only once? What do haldi, kumkum, bhasm or chandan signify in a puja thali? After the sensational response to Season 1 of EPIC Channel's Devlok with Devdutt Pattanaik, Devdutt invited his viewers and readers to ask him questions about Hindu mythology, which he has answered over thirty thrilling episodes. Prepare to be educated, entertained and moved as Devdutt delves into the exhilarating variety of Hindu mythology. In this volume, you will discover the difference between dhyan and darshan, aastik and nastik, Surya Vansh and Chandra Vansh. There are amusing stories about your favourite Hanuman and fascinating facts about the dark Vishnu avatars, Varaha and Narasimha. Learn why Lakshmi or Saraswati are always in conflict, and how women have the most intriguing characters in mythological tales. Journey deeper into the magical world of Hindu mythology with Devdutt, and you'll never want to turn back..
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The Girl Who Chose
You are bound by rules, but not I. I am free to choose.' Two thousand years ago, the poet-sage Valmiki wrote the Ramayana. It is the tale of Ram, the sun-prince of Ayodhya, who is obliged to follow family rules and so makes no choices. And of Ravana, king of Lanka, who does not respect anybody's rules or other people's choices. Over the centuries, hundreds have retold the tale in different languages, adding new twists and turns. But few have noticed that the tale always depends on the five choices made by Sita. What were Sita's five choices? India's favourite mythologist brings you this charmingly illustrated retelling of the Ramayana that is sure to empower and entertain a new generation readers
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My Gita
In My Gita, acclaimed mythologist Devdutt Pattanaik demystifies The Bhagavad Gita for the contemporary reader. His unique approach thematic rather than verse-by-verse makes the ancient treatise eminently accessible, combined as it is with his trademark illustrations and simple diagrams. In a world that seems spellbound by argument over dialogue, vi-vaad over sam-vaad, Devdutt highlights how Krishna nudges Arjuna to understand rather than judge his relationships. This becomes relevant today when we are increasingly indulging and isolating the self (self-improvement, self-actualization, self-realization even selfies!). We forget that we live in an ecosystem of others, where we can nourish each other with food, love and meaning, even when we fight. So let My Gita inform your Gita
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The Success Sutra-An Indian Approach To Wealth
The Success Sutra is packed with unique and profound insights into how individuals can create wealth and achieve success in life by following Indian principles of strategic thinking and decision-making. Most human beings hunger after riches and success. There are any number of management books which provide theories and techniques on how to become rich and successful. All of them advise us to chase Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, in order to make her our own. But the Indian approach to prosperity and fulfilment warns against the relentless pursuit of the goddess, writes noted thinker and mythologist Devdutt Pattanaik, as it will result in conflict. Rather, we have to give in order to get, we have to satisfy the hunger of others in order to satisfy our own. If we learn and practise this fundamental truth, Lakshmi will enter our homes and our lives. Derived from his acclaimed bestseller Business Sutra, this book is filled with lessons and insights into management, business and the creation of wealth and success.
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Shivachi Saat Rahasye (शिवाची सात रहस्ये)
शिवशंकराच्या कहाण्या, चिन्हे आणि कर्मकांड यांमध्ये आपल्या पूर्वजांची रहस्ये बंद आहेत. त्यांपैकी सात रहस्यांचा उलगडा करण्याचा प्रयन्त देवदत्त पट्टनायक यांनी या पुस्तकातून केला आहे. पाहिल्या प्रकरणात शिवलिंगाचा खरा अर्थ सांगितला आहे. दुसऱ्या प्रकरणातून मानवसमूहाच्या प्रादेशिक वर्तणुकीबद्दल शिवाला वाटणारा संताप व तिरस्काराबद्दल लिहिले आहे. तिसऱ्या व चौथ्या प्रकरणात शिवला जगाकडे दयार्द नजरेने पाहायला देवी कसे शिकवते याबद्दल माहिती आहे. पाचव्या व सहाव्या प्रकरणात शिवाचे दोन पुत्र गणेश व मुरुगन यांच्यासंबधात माहिती आहे, तर अखेरच्या प्रकरणात शिव नृत्यकलेमधून ज्ञानप्रदान करणारा जाणकार शिक्षक कसा आहे, ते सांगितले आहे.
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Vishnuchi Saat Rahasye (विष्णूची सात रहस्ये)
हिंदू धर्मात भगवान विष्णू हा देव केंद्रस्थानी आहे. सृष्टीचे नियमन करणाऱ्या विष्णूबद्दल अनेक कथा प्रचलित आहेत. विष्णूची प्रतीके व संस्काराच्या कर्मकांडाबद्दल सातत्याने सांगितले जाते. जगाच्या कल्याणासाठी जे नऊ अवतार होऊन गेले ते विष्णूचेच असल्याचे मानले जाते. विष्णू देवतेचे महत्व, कथा, प्रतीके, त्याचे संसारी रूप देवदत्त पटनायक यांनी 'विष्णूची सात रहस्ये 'मधून उलगडली आहेत. यात विष्णू, ब्रह्मा, इंद्र या देवांची निर्मिती, त्याच्या मानवाशी निगडीत संदर्भ दिले आहेत. नारदाची जन्मकथाही आहे. विष्णूचे मत्स्य, कूर्म, वामन, नरसिंह, राम, कृष्ण आदी अवतार, त्यांची कथा, त्यांचे कार्य, मनुष्याची निर्मिती, त्यांच्या मदतीसाठी धावून आलेला विष्णू, माणसांमध्ये पूजल्या जाणाऱ्या विष्णूची विविध रूपे, बलरामाचे महत्त्व, शुभ्र घोड्यावर बसलेला आणि हातात तलवार घेतलेला योद्धा म्हणजे साऱ्या गोष्टींचा नाश करणारा विष्णूचा कल्की अवतार व या सर्वांचे मनुष्याच्या आयुष्याशी व वर्तनाशी जोडलेला संबंध यांचे रहस्य आपल्यापुढे यातून मांडले आहेत.
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7 Secrets of the Goddess
Lakshmi massages Vishnus feet. Is this male domination? Kali stands on Shivas chest. Is this female domination? Shiva is half a woman. Is this gender quality? Why then is Shakti never half a man? Taken literally, stories, symbols and rituals of Hindu mythology have much to say about gender relationships. Taken symbolically, they reveal many more things about humanity and nature. Which is the correct reading? The fourth title in the bestselling 7 Secrets series focuses on the Goddess and respected mythologist Devdutt Pattanaik tries to unravel the secrets locked within her stories, symbols and rituals.
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Shikhandi : And Other Tales They don't Tell You
Patriarchy asserts men are superior to women. Feminism clarifies women and men are equal. Queerness questions what constitutes male and female. Queerness isnt only modern, Western or sexual, says mythologist Devdutt Pattanaik. Take a close look at the vast written and oral traditions in Hinduism, some over two thousand years old, and you will find many overlooked tales, such as those of Shikhandi, who became a man to satisfy her wife; Mahadeva, who became a woman to deliver his devotees child; Chudala, who became a man to enlighten her husband; Samavan, who became the wife of his male friend; and many more. . . Playful and touching - and sometimes disturbing - these stories when compared with their Mesopotamian, Greek, Chinese and Biblical counterparts, reveal the unique Indian way of making sense of queerness. Exclusive Piece written by Devdutt Pattanaik for Flipkart Customers March of Celibate Men Vishnu takes the form of a king, a cowherd, a priest, a fish even an enchantress called Mohini. In this female form, he seduces gods and demons and hermits, all in order to preserve social order. Thus a God who is visualised as male becomes a nymph, bears a child for the sake of social order. This story is remarkable at so many levels. Here, Gods gender is not restricted to the male form. Fertility is not restricted to women. Divinity is associated with enchantment and sensory pleasures. And though woman, Mohini is not a demure wife; she is a dancer who is restricted to no man. Could this possible be a Hindu story? When the Europeans came to India, they saw stories such as these as yet another indicator of Indian effeminacy and Oriental debauchery. Back home, they were themselves exposed to a world where God was avowedly masculine, he sent down a son, not a daughter, to save the world, and that son was conceived without sexual intercourse and had no wife of his own. The priests of this God were all male and celibate. An alternate worldview where the feminine and the queer was appreciated, even venerated, made no sense to them. They naturally mocked Indians. This mockery became intense when the Europeans became rulers of India. So Hindus became defensive and apologetic. Not knowing how to explain their stories in the language of the foreign rulers, they started to reform the stories. They focused on stories that met with European approval: stories where celibacy and self-control was valorised and women were reduced to objects of temptation. The stern celibate monk became the representative of Hinduism, not the dancing mischievous affectionate nymph. The Europeans left. The Americans came. In the 60s, America went through a radical change sexual revolution, hippie revolution, anti-war protests. They wrote books rediscovering Indias sensual heritage. They spoke of how Hindus had bisexual gods and goddesses. Hindus were horrified. Was not Hinduism was all about celibacy and self-control? Was that not what the story books told them? Was that not what their parents and teacher told them? They protested passionately but were gagged with typical Western academic disdain, You are in denial. You dont have the facts; we do. Let us tell you what your culture is! Battle lines were thus drawn. They continue to be drawn. Time for empathy, and expansion of the mind. Appreciate the stories of sensuous men and women, celibate men and women. More importantly, appreciate the different context in which celibacy was celebrated and the different context in which the dance of the enchantress was celebrated. Even more importantly, appreciate the vast volume and diversity of India, where things have never been static, where things are never static, where the past and the present coexist simultaneously, the liberal coexists with the conservative, the wise next to the most unfair. Time to read Shikhandi and other tales they dont tell you. And remember, they who dont tell you these 30 stories are not villains. They probably are unware of their vast heritage themselves.
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Myth = Mithya: A Handbook of Hindu Mythology
Hinduism can be a puzzle or even an enigma to the uninitiated. There are so many different beliefs, so many rituals and so many myths and legends, it can be hard to follow. Myth = Mithya: A Handbook Of Hindu Mythology is an attempt by the author to shed light on this seeming tangle, to show the deeper meanings of the different stories. He explains about the Hindu Trinity and their Divine Consorts. He also goes into the puzzle of why Hindus believe in one Supreme Reality and yet claim the existence of 330 million Gods. The book explains concepts like the Pitr, Jiva, and about the Devas and the Asuras. He explains the significance of various rituals. He discusses how the warrior-like Kali and the benign Gauri are different forms of the same Goddess. He also compares the roles and the powers of the Trinity, Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. He goes into the idea behind the various avatars or incarnations of the Preserver, Vishnu. He examines why the Rama and Krishna avatars have assumed such significance. Myth = Mithya: A Handbook Of Hindu Mythology also compares the two major epics, The Ramayana and The Mahabharata. It analyzes why the two avatars in the epics, Rama and Krishna, were so different. It shows that the age that these epics were set in demanded different perspectives to handle similar situations. This book is not a continuous narrative, it does not read like a novel. Instead, it is a source of reference for those who want to gain a deeper understanding of the stories and rituals and symbols that permeate the Hindu faith. The book is not aimed just at those who are non-Hindus. Even those who have been brought up in the Hindu faith can gain some deeper insights into their customs and beliefs through this book. Myth = Mithya: A Handbook Of Hindu Mythology also includes illustrations which are drawn by the author.
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Sita
The chariot stopped far from the city in the middle of the forest. Sita alighted, eager to walk amongst the trees. The charioteer, Lakshman, remained seated. Sensing he had something to say, Sita paused. Lakshman finally spoke, eyes to the ground, Your husband, my elder brother, Ram, king of Ayodhya, wants you to know that the streets are full of gossip. Your reputation is in question. The rules are clear on this: a kings wife should be above all doubt. The scion of the Raghu clan therefore has ordered you to stay away from his person and his palace and his city. You are free to go wherever else you please. But you may not reveal to anyone you were once Rams queen. Sita watched Lakshmans nostrils flare. She felt his embarrassment and his rage. She wanted to reach out and reassure him, but she restrained herself. You feel your Ram has abandoned his Sita, dont you? she asked gently. But he has not. He cannot. He is God; he abandons no one. And I am Goddess; I cannot be abandoned by anyone. A mystified Lakshman returned to Ayodhya, while Sita smiled in the forest and unbound her hair. It is significant that the only character in Hindu mythology, a king at that, to be given the title of ekam-patni-vrata, devoted to a single wife, is associated with the most unjust act of abandoning her in the forest to protect family reputation. This seems a deliberate souring of an uplifting narrative. Rams refusal to remarry to produce a royal heir adds to the complexity. The intention seems to be to provoke thought on notions of fidelity, property and self-image. And so the mythologist and illustrator Devdutt Pattanaik retells the Ramayana, drawing attention to the many oral, visual and written retellings composed in different times, in different places, by different poets, each one trying to solve the puzzle in its own unique way. This book approaches Ram by speculating on Sita: her childhood with her father, Janaka, who hosted sages mentioned in the Upanishads; her stay in the forest with her husband, who had to be a celibate ascetic while she was in the prime of her youth; her interactions with the women of Lanka, recipes she exchanged, emotions they shared; her connection with the earth, her mother, and with the trees, her sisters; her role as the Goddess, the untamed Kali as well as the demure Gauri, in transforming the stoic prince of Ayodhya into God.
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Shiva to Shankara: Decoding the Phallic Symbol
Shiva To Shankara: Decoding The Phallic Symbol, written by Devdutt Pattanaik, is an attempt by the author to reconcile with the differences of opinion regarding the meanings and the varied symbolisms behind the Shiva linga and other practices associated with the Hindu deity, Lord Shiva. The book dives into the rituals, metaphysics, stories, and symbols associated with Shiva, and deciphers the meanings and references behind the various aspects of Lord Shiva. It differentiates between Shankara, the householder, and Shiva, the hermit. Shiva is often associated with alchemy and asceticism, and there are sexual references, especially in the phallic Linga, that are interpreted in different forms by different schools of Hinduism. The sexual connotations of the Shiva lingam, which is ensconced within the female reproductive organ that is represented by the Yoni, is dealt with in this book. The author, Devdutt Pattanaik, is a respected mythologist and an expert in Hindu mythology. He was born in the year 1970, on December 11, and graduated from a medical school before he took up Comparative Mythology. Pattanaik is well-known for integrating the wisdom from Indian mythology into management practices. He has many books to his credit, including Shiva: An Introduction, 7 Secrets of Shiva, Fun in Devlok: Shiva Plays Dumb Charades, and The Book Of Ram.
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The Pregnant King
‘I am not sure that I am a man,’ said Yuvanashva. ‘I have created life outside me as men do. But I have also created life inside me, as women do. What does that make me? Will a body such as mine fetter or free me?’ Among the many hundreds of characters who inhabit the Mahabharata, perhaps the world’s greatest epic and certainly one of the oldest, is Yuvanashva, a childless king, who accidentally drinks a magic potion meant to make his queens pregnant and gives birth to a son. This extraordinary novel is his story. It is also the story of his mother Shilavati, who cannot be king because she is a woman; of young Somvat, who surrenders his genitals to become a wife; of Shikhandi, a daughter brought up as a son, who fathers a child with a borrowed penis; of Arjuna, the great warrior with many wives, who is forced to masquerade as a woman after being castrated by a nymph; of Ileshwara, a god on full-moon days and a goddess on new-moon nights; and of Adi-natha, the teacher of teachers, worshipped as a hermit by some and as an enchantress by others. Building on Hinduism’s rich and complex mythology—but driven by a very contemporary sensibility—Devdutt Pattanaik creates a lush and fecund work of fiction in which the lines are continually blurred between men and women, sons and daughters, husbands and wives, fathers and mothers. Confronted with such fluidity the reader is drawn into Yuvanashva’s struggle to be fair to all—those here, those there and all those in between.