We all know how Hanuman wreaked havoc upon the golden city of Lanka when he visited Sita as Ram’s messenger. But what a lot of us aren’t familar with are the insightful conversations they had then.
From discussing the difference between how Vanaras and Manavas think, to discussing the moralistic details of situations, this discourse between Sita and Hanuman is both unexpected and thought-provoking.
An interesting insight into one of the most popular sections of the epic, the Sundar Kand, Hanuman in Lanka is riveting, enlightening, and entertaining, as all of Devdutt Pattanaik’s writing is.
Ram and Sita’s wedding is a well-recognized visual in India, especially because of how Ram manages to break Shiva’s mighty bow, proving that he was indeed destined to be Sita’s husband. But the beauty of the story lies in its details. It is to be found in the tender moments the couple shared when they first laid their eyes on each other at Vishwamitra’s ashram. It lies in the realization that the union of Ram and Sita, along with the union of Ram’s brothers with Sita’s sisters, has been in the making since the time of Prithu, the first king.
From Parashurama to Tadaka to Ahalya to Ganga, the story of Four Brides for Four Brothers is a fascinating melange of characters and events. And there is no one better to tell that story than Devdutt Pattanaik with his masterful illustrations.
Read on to discover the events that led to the union of two of the most enigmatic characters of Hindu mythology.
For all the action associated with the Ramayana, people sometimes forget how uniquely fascinating the birth of the two protagonists was. While one was discovered in a field that was being ploughed, the other was borne out of a powerful potion. No wonder they went on to achieve greatness.
However, the story of Ram and Sita’s birth isn’t just important because of how they were born. Understanding the context of their birth is equally important because when it comes to epics like the Ramayana, the smallest of details have the most far-reaching impacts.
In The Birth of Ram and Sita, explore the illustrated world of the protagonists before they were born with captivating insights from Devdutt Pattanaik.
Ramayana isn’t a single text. It is a belief, a tradition, a subjective truth, a thought materialized, ritualized and celebrated through narrations, songs, dances, sculptures, plays, paintings, and puppets across hundreds of locations over hundreds of years.’
But where did it all originate?
It is believed that when Shakti wanted to hear a tale that had the power to comfort during turbulent times, Shiva narrated the Ramayana. It is from this brief exchange that all that came followed.
With What Shiva Told Shakti, Devdutt Pattanaik offers a brief glimpse into the vast and historical tradition that is the Ramayana. From versions and formats to cultures and countries, explore the epic with the master himself.
For hundreds of years, for millions of people, across history and geography, Ram’s name and his story have opened a window to the divine. He is venerated as the greatest king of Ayodhya, he is the eka-patni husband of Sita, he is the keeper of his word, he is maryada-purushottam.But isn’t he just an ordinary man who did extraordinary things? If so, can you and I be Ram?
In Who is Ram?, Devdutt Pattanaik explores the many ideas and qualities of an upright hero, the protagonist of one of the world’s most popular epics, Ramayana.
Any discourse on Ram today is dominated either by academic analysis or political debate. In the din of these discourses, it is the discourse of love that is lost.’
Legends and myths were created by our ancestors to understand the elements of the universe and how they interact with us better. The concept of dharma was introduced through mythological characters—who either abide by it or don’t—to make the lesson more memorable. However, as time goes on, the essence of the content is lost and we’re stuck holding on to its literal symbols. Nowhere else is this more visible than the politics of Hindutva in India.
In The Politics of Ram, Devdutt Pattanaik explores the idea of Ram in modern political discourse and how it impacts the legacy of our epics in his inimitable style—with elegance and wit.
The Ramayana has never been a tale of Ram’s life. It is the story of how he lived for others. By retelling his tale, storytellers hope to inspire themselves and others to live as Ram did.’
The Ramayana we are familiar with today is an interesting mix of countless versions—through cultures, traditions, and texts—presented through various mediums—film, television, and scriptures. The most popular, however, is Valmiki’s Ramayana, which is believed to be the original story that inspired the many versions that followed. But who narrated the story to Valmiki? Where did it originate?
It is believed that hearing Ram’s tale brings hope even in the darkest of times. With Who Inspired Valmiki?, Devdutt Pattanaik explores as only he can, the various versions and interpretations of the epic that exist across cultures and countries.
Ram and Ravana stand at two extreme ends of the human spectrum. From god to demon, dharma to adharma, Ram and Ravana are the biggest lessons of the Ramayana. And as far as villains go, a ten-headed demon-king is an impressive opponent.
The beauty of the Ramayana is that it allows you to understand the motivations and actions of both these mighty men. After all, it is because Ravana exists that Ram is born. Without Ravana, there is no Ram.
Understanding Ravana is, in fact, the key to understanding the Ramayana. And in Ravana: A Worthy Opponent, Devdutt Pattanaik offers a glimpse into the hedonistic, villanous mind of one of Hindu mythology’s greatest demons. Read on to discover Ravana like never before in this straightforward account from the master of mythology himself.
In a caste-based feudal society like India, Hanuman who stands outside the temple facing the street seems more accessible to the masses than his distant master, the royal Ram.’
The venerated monkey-god and problem-solver is one of the most recognizable characters of Hindu mythology. In Hanuman, Ram not only finds a loyal servant and a dependable soldier but also a companion. Whether he is conveying Ram’s message to Sita, or saving Lakshman’s life, Hanuman serves Ram—his one and only master—in every way he can.
Ram’s Companion explores the deep bond between Ram and Hanuman, in Devdutt Pattanaik’s unique style. Read on.
Dashratha is heartbroken when Kaikeyi asks for her two boons because it means letting go of his favourite son and having him live in exile for fourteen years. However, as the sun-king of the sun-city, he is also the upholder of dharma, one who keeps his word. He has no choice but to let Ram go.
It is this legacy that Dashratha leaves Ram with, which sets the precedent for all of Ram’s actions. As a Raghuvamsi, a descendent of the Raghu clan, Ram is the very definition of living according to dharma. Ram is first and foremost a son before he takes on any other role, and this is evident throughout the journey of the Ramayana.
In Ram: The Son, Devdutt Pattanaik highlights the foundation of Ram’s commitment to keeping not only his but also his father’s word while traversing the vagaries of life. Pattanaik has the unique ability to convey complex ideas in the most straightforward manner and nowhere is it more evident than when he tells the story of Ram.
