Showing results by author "Devdutt Pattanaik" in All Categories

Audible presents Krishna 360 Degrees, an Audible Original, written and narrated by Devdutt Pattanaik. Krishna 360 Degrees is a deep dive into the story of Krishna. By exploring him as a child, a toddler, a teenager, a cowherd, a statesman, a lover, a husband, a father and a god-on-earth, as expressed in various stories and images about him, we hope to gain a deeper insight into Hindu philosophy.

Explore the stories from Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain mythology that nurtured the idea of yoga and shaped the development of its most iconic asanas. Learn how svana-asana (dog pose) is connected to Shiva, bhujanga-asana (cobra pose) was inspired by shape-shifting beings who live below the earth, and much more.

Audible presents Ravana 360 Degrees, an Audible Original. Ravana 360 Degrees is a deep dive into the story of Ravana. By exploring him as a son, a brother, a father, a king, a husband, a devotee and an enemy, as expressed in various stories and images about him, we hope to gain a deeper insight into Hindu philosophy.

Audible presents Suno Ramayana Devdutt Pattanaik ke Saath, an Audible Original. Understand the eternal love of Ramayana, Get knowledge from Sanskrit Ramayana and Regional Ramayana, Know about the stories of Hindi, Odia, Bengali, Assamese, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada Ramayana and if Vedas are seeds, then Ramayana is the fruit, We will taste that fruit. Written and narrated by Devdutt Pattanaik, Suno Ramayana, samjho Ramayana.

In The Stories We Tell: Mythology to Make Sense of Modern Lives, renowned mythologist Devdutt Pattanaik presents 72 tales from India’s rich treasure of myths and legends. These stories, ranging from folk tales in Andhra Pradesh on Lakshmana to Vedic stories on Indra, urge you to reconsider ideas of good, bad, love, faith and culture.

Audible presents Stree 360 Degrees. Women in Indian mythology: what do stories from Vedas, Puranas, Ramayana, Mahabharata, Tamil, Buddhist and Jain lore tell us about women in ancient India? Were women oppressed or liberated? Did they have agency, or were all decisions made for them by men? The answers will surprise you.

Artha-shastra is about generating food, i.e. wealth, by creating goods and services; Kama-shastra is about indulging our hungers with this food. Dharma-shastra insists we consider the hunger of others, while Moksha-shastra is about outgrowing our hungers, in order to be detached and generous. Together, these four Hindu shastras provide a framework within which human action, its purposes and consequences, can be defined; together, they validate human existence and give it meaning.

Artha-shastra is about generating food, i.e. wealth, by creating goods and services; Kama-shastra is about indulging our hungers with this food. Dharma-shastra insists we consider the hunger of others, while Moksha-shastra is about outgrowing our hungers, in order to be detached and generous. Together, these four Hindu shastras provide a framework within which human action, its purposes and consequences, can be defined; together, they validate human existence and give it meaning.

Lakshmi is worshipped as the goddess of wealth. Her arrival is considered auspicious, while her departure is bad and inauspicious. In temples, gods are bedecked with jewels; during festivals, our houses are decorated with flowers, lamps and Lakshmi’s footprints. Clearly, she is a much-desired goddess. Yet, some friends and relatives—even gurus—tell us not to be money-minded. How to Become Rich is a simple retelling of the stories of Lakshmi found in the Vedas and Puranas. Devdutt Pattanaik deftly explains what Hinduism says about economics at a personal level as well as at the social level.

This book brings together 99 meditations to better understand the stories, symbols and rituals of that adorable elephant-headed Hindu god who removes hurdles and brings prosperity and peace. Known variously as Ganapati, Gajanana, Vinayaka or Pillayar, he can help all of us score a century in the game called life.

Manu said that a woman’s dharma is to be mother, daughter, sister and wife in service of men, regardless of the caste. In modern times we call this patriarchy. In the Veda, the need to control and favour hierarchy, is an expression of an anxious mind. Hindu, Buddhist and Jain lore is full of tales where women do not let men define their dharma. In modern times we call this feminism. In the Veda, the acceptance of a woman's choice is an expression of a wise and secure mind.

രാമന്‍ മര്യാദാപുരുഷോത്തമനാണ്, സാമൂഹിക മൂല്യങ്ങളുടെ സംരക്ഷകനാണ്, രഘുകുല തിലകമാണ്, വിഷ്ണുവിന്റെ സപ്താവതാരമാണ്, സൂര്യവംശത്തിലെ തിളങ്ങുന്ന രത്‌നമാണ്. ആരാധനയും അവകാശികളും ചുറ്റും നിറയുമ്പോഴും രാജഭാവത്തില്‍ ആരാധിക്കപ്പെടുന്ന ഒരേയൊരു ഹിന്ദുദൈവമായ രാമന്‍ സദാ പ്രശാന്ത ഗാംഭീര്യത്തോടെ നിലകൊള്ളുന്നു. രാമകഥയ്ക്ക് പല പുനരാഖ്യാനങ്ങളിലായി കൂട്ടിച്ചേര്‍ക്കപ്പെട്ട അലങ്കാരങ്ങളും വിശേഷണങ്ങളും അര്‍ത്ഥതലങ്ങളും അടര്‍ത്തിമാറ്റി രാമന്റെ ആധുനികയുഗത്തിലെ പ്രസക്തി എന്താണെന്ന അന്വേഷണമാണ് ഈ പുസ്തകം.

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 the narrative, made even more complex by Ram's refusal to remarry despite the pressure on royalty to produce an heir.

Hindu mythology abounds with fascinating gods, goddesses and characters whose visual representations—through calendar art—are equally colourful. Hindu calendar art may seem fantastic and kitsch, but it is in fact the most democratic expression of a mythic imagery that was once restricted to temple walls and palm leaf manuscripts. These portraits of the Hindu pantheon of gods and the stories that surround them can be found on the walls and puja rooms of almost every Hindu household in India. Rich in symbols, each image is a piece of an ancient metaphysical jigsaw puzzle.

It is a popular belief that the Ramayana is idealistic while the Mahabharata is realistic. Yet these two epics have identical building blocks, identical themes and identical history. In this groundbreaking book, Devdutt Pattanaik, India’s most popular mythologist, explores the similarities and dissimilarities between the two epics in a ‘playful analysis’. Whether it is the family structure, forest exile or war, the comparison between the two epics proves a startling point - the Mahabharata is in fact a reaction to the events in the Ramayana.

One of the three Gods of Trinity in Hinduism is Lord Vishnu, also called the Lord of the world. In mythological texts, Vishnu is considered as the 10 incarnations of Dashavtar. Shri Ram and Shri Krishna are his most important incarnations. Vishnu's residence is in two different places: in the world, in Baikunth, and second, in the Kshir-Sagar, where he is seated on the eternal balance. In Bhagavad Gita, Vishnu has been considered as Vishwaroop or Virat Purusha. This book attempts to unlock the seven secrets of Vishnu that are relevant even in modern times.

Hindu mythology is full of tales in which animals play important roles. Some animals are looked upon with fear and dread while some are worshiped along with the gods. Some shape the fate of the world, others form everlasting bonds with humans. Where did the animals come from? From Vishnu’s avatars or Shiva’s asanas? How was a deer responsible for the events of the Ramayana? Why is Garuda the sworn enemy of the nagas? How did a mongoose teach Yudhishtira the true meaning of sacrifice?

This is a collection of some of the best stories selected by the Nobel Prize winner Rabindranath Tagore.

In this audiobook, mythologist Devdutt Pattanaik explores the ancient Greek tales, opening us to a whole new world of stories. This audiobook toys with the idea of whether there was a connection between the Greek and Hindu mythologies. Could it have something to do with a common Indo-European root? Or were ideas exchanged when Greek emissaries travelled to the kingdoms of Mathura and Magadha?

Many modern scholars say Shiva’s linga is a phallic symbol. Most devotees disagree. Who is right? This book looks at the sexual metaphors associated with Shiva and uncovers the meaning beneath.