Book title - Sita
Author - Devdutt Pattanaik
Genre- Mythology
My rating - 4/5
We have all heard these stories before. Seen that famous version of TV series on Doordarshan when we were kids. And for most of us, the character of Lord Rama has been the greatest. But when it comes to "Greatest epic" most people point to the Mahabharata and the zillion learning it has to offer. But that were this Book starts, attempting to prove that there is lot to learn from this epic as well. And boy o' boy you would be surprised.
There are various versions of the Ramayana across several nations especially and Indian sub continent and south east Asia and this is an attempt to join pointers to all of them and to make the best sense of the work. The best thing of Devdutt Pattanaik's writing is that he goes on to explain the little things which we mostly overlook in this great story. And of course there is a lot of learning in those small left over couplets.
Another interesting dimension of the book is that it presents the story from a neutral point of view. There are no judgments as such but there is so much evidence that one if forced to have an opinion. The way the perspective of Sita has been put forward is sublime and makes you think to the core which ultimately shakes the very foundations of your values. Some might feel that this presents a feminist perspective but after you finish reading it, you are sure it only presents the just perspective.
Some of the lines in this book are so powerful that they are surely to stay with you till eternity. The author talks of our limits and says, " Within infinite myths lies an eternal truth. Who sees it all? Varuna has but a thousand eyes, Indra a hundred. You and I, only two". It so beautifully debates over the existence and nature of Heaven. The author says," Heaven is a place where there is no hunger". Ah, there can't be a better definition. The work also discusses various moral dilemmas of life and the way out of them. You get a lot of insights on the idea of Karma.
The book also takes you beyond the commonly known facts and tales and surprises you at times. It is a great read not only to rekindle those childhood days but perhaps to understand everything which this world is based upon. Highly recommended.
Author - Devdutt Pattanaik
Genre- Mythology
My rating - 4/5
We have all heard these stories before. Seen that famous version of TV series on Doordarshan when we were kids. And for most of us, the character of Lord Rama has been the greatest. But when it comes to "Greatest epic" most people point to the Mahabharata and the zillion learning it has to offer. But that were this Book starts, attempting to prove that there is lot to learn from this epic as well. And boy o' boy you would be surprised.
There are various versions of the Ramayana across several nations especially and Indian sub continent and south east Asia and this is an attempt to join pointers to all of them and to make the best sense of the work. The best thing of Devdutt Pattanaik's writing is that he goes on to explain the little things which we mostly overlook in this great story. And of course there is a lot of learning in those small left over couplets.
Another interesting dimension of the book is that it presents the story from a neutral point of view. There are no judgments as such but there is so much evidence that one if forced to have an opinion. The way the perspective of Sita has been put forward is sublime and makes you think to the core which ultimately shakes the very foundations of your values. Some might feel that this presents a feminist perspective but after you finish reading it, you are sure it only presents the just perspective.
Some of the lines in this book are so powerful that they are surely to stay with you till eternity. The author talks of our limits and says, " Within infinite myths lies an eternal truth. Who sees it all? Varuna has but a thousand eyes, Indra a hundred. You and I, only two". It so beautifully debates over the existence and nature of Heaven. The author says," Heaven is a place where there is no hunger". Ah, there can't be a better definition. The work also discusses various moral dilemmas of life and the way out of them. You get a lot of insights on the idea of Karma.
The book also takes you beyond the commonly known facts and tales and surprises you at times. It is a great read not only to rekindle those childhood days but perhaps to understand everything which this world is based upon. Highly recommended.
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