Jaya - Softcover

Pattanaik, Devdutt

Softcover

ISBN 10: 014310425X ISBN 13: 9780143104254

Publisher: India Penguin, 2010

Synopsis

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 please 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.

In this enthralling retelling of India's greatest epic, the Mahabharata originally known as Jaya, Devdutt Pattanaik seamlessly weaves into a single narrative plots from the Sanskirt classic as well as its many folk and regional varians, including the Pandavani of Chattisgarth, Gondhal of Maharastra, Terukkuttu of Tamil Nade and Yakshagana of Karnataka.

Richly illustrated with over 250 line drawings by the author, the 108 chapters abound with little-known details such as the names of the hundred Kauravas, the worship of Draupadi as a goddess in Tamil Nadu, the stories of Astika, Madhavi, Jaimini, Aravan and Barbareek, the Mahabharata version of the Shakuntalam and the Ramayana, and the dating of the war based on astronomical data.

With clarity and simplicity, the tales in this elegant volume reveal the eternal relevance of the Mahabharata, the complex and disturbing meditation on the human condition that has shaped Indian thought for over 3000 years.

About this title

About the Author:

Devdutt Pattanaik is a medical doctor by education, a leadership consultant by profession, and a mythologist by passion. He has written and lectured extensilvey on the nature of sacred stories, symbols and rituals and their relevance in modern times. His books include The Book of Ram, Myth=Mithya: A Handbook of Hindu Mythology and The Pregnant King and The Book of Kali is based on his talks.

Review:

I had always thought of reading and knowing the Mahabharata but somehow I just couldn't sit down and go through the traditional one. That is when I stumbled upon JAYA. And grateful as I am, this book is for all those who just want to know that little something about our culture and beliefs. The work put in by the author in gathering the facts will leave you absolutely stunned and once you are done with it you would feel like acting like an expert on hindu Mythology.....!!! Really it is that good...... So go ahead and grab your copy..... do not borrow it but Buy it..... it is one of the must haves in your classics.....! Happy Reading...! --Siddhartha Sharma on 28 Sep 2011

This has to be one of the best books on Mahabharat. The best part of book is it is impartial and factual. Also every chapter end with few bullet points, trying to connect events and customs in story, with probable prevailing customers in reality around that period. It interprets Mahabharat not just as a story, but also from a rational point of view. A Must-Read ! --Parth Pooniwala on 22 Sep 2013

All I have is Respect for Mr.Devdutt for his brilliant understanding of mythology and mastery in portraying the most complex thoughts in the simplest , believable and UN-offending manner. Jaya is mahabharat the biggest epic ever written uncovered to the roots... I loved reading every single word from it...like I was discovering my own past. Its a must read for all mythology buffs! --Sumit Pandey on 16 Nov 2012

About this edition

• Publisher: India Penguin
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 014310425X
• ISBN 13: 9780143104254
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 349