Showing results by author "Devdutt Pattanaik" in All Categories

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.

‘Ram’s story as a metaphor for human strengths and weaknesses and as a window to inner divinity’—Tehelka / Ram is maryada purushottam, the supreme upholder of social values, scion of the Raghu clan, jewel of the solar dynasty, seventh avatar of Vishnu. Reviled by feminists, appropriated by politicians, he remains serene in his majesty, the only Hindu deity to be worshipped as a king. Join Devdutt Pattanaik as he explores the relevance of Ram in modern times, peeling back the layers of metaphors and meanings in the many retellings of his tale.

Is there a connection between Greek and Hindu mythology? Does it have something to do with a common Indo-European root? Or maybe an exchange of ideas in the centuries that followed the arrival of Alexander the Great, when Greek emissaries travelled to the kingdoms of Mathura and Magadha? In this book, mythologist Devdutt Pattanaik turns his attention to ancient Greek tales and explores a new world of stories. Long have Europeans and Americans retold Indic mythologies. It is time for Indians to reverse the gaze.

The multi-dimensional aspect of the characters found in the Hindu spiritual world is unlike any other. The Hindu Gods and Goddesses embody both positive as well as negative characteristics. Bhartiya Pauranik Kathaein discusses how these opposing energies are valued equally in the Hindu worldview and how they balance out over time. Not only does this book reveal the essence of the Hindu worldview but also helps interpret ancient stories to inform the contemporary generation.

Where did the name Radha come from? When did Christianity first come to India? What is the connection between sanskar and dharma? After the enormous success of the first two seasons of EPIC Channel’s Devlok with Devdutt Pattanaik, India’s favourite mythologist is back with a third instalment to answer these questions and more, this time delving deeper into Hinduism and other religions as well!

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.

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?

Chi fa yoga spesso conosce i nomi delle asana più praticate, come Virbhadra-asana, la posizione del guerriero, o Hanuman-asana, la posizione della scimmia, ma non sa che si tratta di nomi che derivano dalla mitologia indiana: Virbhadra, per esempio, era un valoroso guerriero nato da un capello di Shiva, mentre Hanuman-asana rappresenta il grande balzo che portò il dio Hanuman, dalle sembianze di scimmia, dalle coste dell'India meridionale allo Sri Lanka.

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.

More than 500 years after the Sufi poet Malik Muhammad Jayasi wrote his epic poem Padmavat, the story of Padmavati, princess of Simhal, and her lover and husband, Ratansen, the king of Chittor, continues to capture the imagination of listeners everywhere. In Padmavat, we meet Padmavati’s friend, philosopher and guide - Hiraman - a parrot, as well as Nagmati - Ratansen’s first wife, and the brave Rajput warriors Gora and Badal.

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.

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.

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 fans 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.

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.

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.

Why are identity cards important, even for gods? How can you tell a Deva from a Manava? How would you find a particular god in a crowd of gods? One day, when Krishna wanted to board an aeroplane, he was not allowed to! All because he did not have an identity card. Then his friends Garuda and Sesha took him to meet Lata-kumari in Guwahati, who told him the story of Anasuya and the Ashwini twins, and why Rishi Chavan made a rule that all gods should carry a dhvaja a flag with each god's very own symbol. Did Krishna get his identity card so he could ride the aeroplane finally?

Why is the cow useful to everyone? How are the earth and the cow similar? Why is Gauri another name for a cow? Little girl Gauri thinks milk comes from packets, till she meets Sweety the talking cow. Sweety tells Gauri about the first cow on earth, Surabhi, and how she provided so many useful things to man fuel, manure, medicine and shelter. Sweety narrates stories about a king who found good luck because he gifted cows to many people, and how another king was turned into a lizard because he was not careful about who he gave his cows to!

Why was Indra an unhappy god? What are the many magical things Indra has in paradise? Will Indra ever find happiness? Little Harsha was sad, so a cloud flew him up to Indra's palace, just to show Harsha that the king of gods was sadder than him! There, with his new friends Indra and Airavata, the six-tusked white elephant, Harsha sees so many amazing things a wish-fulfilling tree, a pot of never- ending gold, and a potion that keeps him healthy. Then Indra thinks of a naughty plan to steal Vasishta's cow! When he catches Indra, a very angry Vasishta tells him the secret to being happy.

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.