Jaya by Devdutt Pattanaik - More than just a story!

"Jaya" by Devdutt Pattanaik - More than just a story!

This book is published by Penguin India in 2010 and has 372 pages.

Jaya, the itihas, is popularly known as Mahabharat. It's the story of Pandav's and Kaurav's, of Sri Krishna and Bhagwat Geeta, of victory of Dharm over adharm, and of the glorious 18 day war.

Popular Mahabharat starts from Shantanu, but author starts from Budha an Ila and continues to Dushyant Shakuntala then Yayati Devayani, Sharmishtha then Yadu and then Shantanu. Similarly story does not end with Yudhishthir reaching swarg but with him achieving Jaya.

Author tells us this known story in his style. He narrates the story chapter wise and then provides his commentary and analysis at the end of each chapter. This commentary is insightful. He  analyzes the events of the chapter from logical, social and philosophical point of view. (e. g. How the story of shakuntala changed from Mahabharat to Kalidas based on prevailing social practices or Edipus complex VS Yayati complex). Author refers to a number of folk tales across India and neighbouring countries like Indonesia as well as artistic literature to corroborate his deductions or to emphasize a point. 

Author makes some important points:

Philosophy of veda's was not to aspire or achieve but to introspect.

Dharma is not about defeating others but about conquering ourselves. 

India is originator of board games where only luck rules (snakes and ladders), where luck and intelligence rules (Chausar) and where only intelligence rules (Chess).

Disrobing of Draupadi represents collapse of a civilization, fall of Dharma.

In Mahabharat forests are not inky lands but the represent unknown, untamed part of mind. Rishis were the first to explore them. They created trails that connected caves and water bodies. Then it becomes safe for common man to inhibit. These are metaphors for taming of mind.

It's a good read that gives you knowledge about Mahabharat and more. However, you should have patience to read the known story again. 

Why did I read this book? Author and Story. 

What did I like? Commentary. 

What I didn't like? Nothing. 

Recommend reading so that you can look at it as more than just a story.

Shikhandi: and other tales they don't tell you by Devdutt Pattanaik

"Shikhandi: and other tales they don't tell you" by Devdutt Pattanaik. This book is published by Penguin books Ltd. in 2014 and has 179 pages.

This is a non fiction dedicated to queerness. Author has used tales from mythology to educate the readers to the fact that queerness is not a recent concept but existed since many centuries. The book is divided in two parts. First part is author's commentary about queer behaviors and second part consists of tales from mythology.

Author does not limit the definition of queerness only to homosexuality, lesbianism, androgynous, cross dressing or hermaphrodites but also to Amazons, transgendered, intersexed, cross dressers, hijras, animals born of two different species, abnormal births etc. He enumerates that queerness is present in mythologies of Hindu, Buddhist, Persian, Viking, North American tribes, Aztec, Artic regions, Cuba, China, Japan and Egypt. He poses questions that would make many uncomfortable. He says that this book is celebration of queerness.

Author uses very powerful poetry to start second section. It goes like this:
'All things queer are not sexual, All things sexual are not reproductive, All things reproductive are not romantic, All things romantic are not queerless.'

The stories include that of Shikhandi who was a female in previous birth, Mahadev who became a woman to deliver his devotee's child, Mohini - an avatar of Vishnu, Kali who became a man, Urvashi who was born of no woman, Bhagirath who was born of two women, Arjun and Indra who were temporarily castrated, Bheema and Krishna and Samba who wore woman's cloths, Narad who forgot he was a man, Shiva the Ardhanarishwar and many more. These stories are quoted from Mahabharata, Lores, Yog Vashishta, Puranas, Oral traditions, Ramayan etc. However Mahabharata dominates the stories.

Author argues that in devotional traditions (भक्ती संप्रदाय), God takes male as well as female form for the devotee. These queer stories are not sexual but they do challenge notions of gender.

The stories are short and laced with commentary. Author has done a lot of study of literature from various parts of India and in various languages. He has made good use of it to advocate his point.

Although it contains many stories, all of them are so short that you don't get to enjoy the story. Stories are used more as an evidence in this book than enjoyment. By a bit of elaboration book could have become more interesting.

It is a bold topic to choose for a book. Queerness is still considered taboo in India. To write a book and expect it to sell is courageous. What's even more interesting is that the book is published in collaboration with Zubaan, an organization dedicated to publishing feminist literature.

One may ask what is the significance of book title to content? Well, the story of Shikhandi occupies only a couple of pages. The title of this book is thus a misnomer but it serves the purpose of attracting and enticing the readers to read it.

Read it if you don't mind the subject, but not a must read.