Jaya by Devdutt Pattanaik

“High above the sky stands Swarga, paradise, abode of the gods. Still above is Vaikuntha, heaven, abode of God.

The doorkeepers of Vaikuntha are the twins, Jaya and Yijaya, both whose names mean ‘victory’. One keeps you in Swarga; the other raises you into Vaikuntha.

In Vaikuntha there is bliss forever, in Swarga there is pleasure for only as long as you deserve. What is the difference between Jaya and Vijaya? Solve this puzzle and you will solve the mystery of the Mahabharata.”

Brilliantly using a series of 250 line drawings and  notes on the various regional versions of the great epic, Devdutt Pattanaik skilfully presents an intriguing and captivating retelling of the Mahabharata.

Vyasa’s sanskrit epic, which was originally known as Jaya, is analysed by Pattanaik on various levels. The original versions give the events as they supposedly unfolded. This version however, not only gives the causes and effects for the events, it also brings forth the important lessons that were meant to be learnt from these events. The author adds interesting unknown facts like Draupadi’s secret love for Karna, her husbands’ arch enemy, that never found a place in the many versions that exist.

“Refusal to accept the flow of the world is the root of all misery.”

Devdutt Pattanaik known for his expertise in the field of mythology, does not let the reader down. This brilliantly researched and equally brilliantly presented book is a book that everyone will enjoy.

Rating- 5/5

Jaya

Devdutt Pattanaik

Penguin

372 pages

About artikaaurorabakshi

Artika Aurora Bakshi Artika Aurora Bakshi is the author of five well-acclaimed children’s books,My Little Sikh Handbook, My Little Sikh Handbook 2: Ardas, My Little Sikh Handbook: Travel Journal, My Little Sikh Handbook: The Mighty Sikh Empire, My Little Handbook of Feelings, and an anthology of stories, Hold On To Me. Her first story, set in Amritsar, during the pre-Partition period, All She Had Left, was published on Story Mirror. Her short stories have been published on Kitaab. She co-manages thegoodbookcorner.com, a manuscript help and book review site. Her passion for reading has led her to helping other writers with their manuscripts. She is a Contributing Editor for Nishaan, and the Associate Editor for SLIM Marketer. She comes from a family of lawyers and has a master’s degree in International Banking & Finance. A regular at the Galle Literary Festival and The Ceylon Literary and Art Festival, Artika’s articles and book reviews have featured in the Daily Mirror, Daily News, The Ceylon Chronicle, and various blogs, such as, talkingcranes.com, sikhchic.com, sikhnet.com. An avid reader, Artika runs an online book club with a membership base of over 600 members. Her quotes are featured under soul_nightingale_artika on Instagram and on Soul Nightingale by Artika Aurora Bakshi on Facebook. You can reach Artika at bakshiartika@gmail.com .

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