JAYA: AN ILLUSTRATED RETELLING OF THE MAHABHARATA by DEVDUTT PATTANIK(book review)

image from here. 

Crisp, precise, informative and gripping!

While Vedas and Upanishads are the ‘backbone’, epics such as Mahabharta and Ramayana are the nerves of our ‘culture’. In his telling of Mahabaratha as ‘Jaya : An Illustrated retelling of the Mahabharata’,the author informs, educates and makes sense of the massive story in a little over 350 pages.

The book has each of the important events in simple paras with the author’s interpretation(and two cents)  following it. The book moves along nice and quick with the events that have the major baring on the great war.

Don’t expect to be enlightened the book is lesser about that and more about giving a quick account of the epic to people who haven’t heard about the epic. One nice thing about the book is that the author has collected tales from different regions of India and other countries such as Indonesia and included them in his ‘explanation’.

The book is also  illustrated(by the author himself), but it probably would have been a better idea to have images from famous artists, considering the book is a 2 minute version of the epic probably aimed to impress.

Personally, I liked the book, it was like brushing up through the Mahabharata. The tales from across the country and abroad add value to the narrative. The book is pretty much no frills and does not try to glorify the Pandavas overtly. The author stays true to being impartial and provides a balanced view of the epic. It is easier to see cause and effect, especially with the author reminding us of the same, time and again.

The book was a gripping read no doubt. It had been a while since I read anything regarding our mythology and thus it was a reminder of the moralistic uncertainties and the essence of the epic. Read it if you want to remind yourselves about the Mahabharata. A quick and effective version of the epic, it cuts straight to the point albeit with some of the magic being lost.

Rating:- 7/10

On the fast lane…(story?)

Before we get started,let me make onething clear.I can do without saying this,but i can’t resist it can i?

Question :Recent studies have shown blah blah……that youth of today don’t show interest in “teaching,services” blah blah blah…Express your views in an article highlighting  blah blah blah blah lack of sensitivity to the nation issue.” 

An extract: I and T ,two letter take all the youth away from the country,who is going to address the remaning 24 letters? 

😛 yup i wrote something similar to that in my English paper 😀 I want to look at my English teacher’s reaction to this one 😀 This is surely going to be a test ,to see if she really is broad minded 😀 

 

Now to the post 😀 

From misc3

 

The time is 12,midnight.All in alone in a huge car,you are on a very very dark highway.your only source of comfort is the headlight of your car.You see that the road is empty and you start going faster and faster.You dream of that pretty girl and wish that she was with you.But you know,she hates you .You then try to think of something else.You think about those people,in those old times,when there were no cars,you think how peaceful they were and then you think about you great,great ,great,great,great,great,great,great grand father,whose grand father might have been Adam or Kuppusami or Sri Sri Bigthondiyananda(thondi=stomach) or some Ramarangarajaraja thiru Nayana Srinivasa chari and the fact that he had about 2 dozen kids,who further went on to enhance the population by another dozen or so each.You then think,where all those people might be.If they still had the traditional value,of saying vango,pongo or bingo or if they still found veshti confortable or if they ever knew Sandyavanam(your version being-To whom so ever it concers,my name is this,my father name is this,if you don’t know me get lost,if you know me,you know the rest already,so spare me the trouble,i can’t remember that between intergration and all that stuff) .You then think,how much you have evolved.You don’t sport the big stomach,you don’t have 3 kids,infact you still haven’t even found a girl(that great to the power whatever had about 5 kids when he was your age!) ,you are supposedly broad minded and you aren’t a hypocrite.Then you consider the fact,that you might get married to only one girl and not to well 2 or 3,like your greats did.You then see some old rocks,which the head light throws light upon and you think of those child hood stories,when big Rakshashas lifted those things and went about destorying stuff,you draw an anology to the present and realize the fact,that even today we had those people,the only thing we lack is the presence of Lord Vishnu(might be garuda is on a vaction,in planet #47437545324 in The universe SDJO4543.) and the other Gods,to save us,they have retired or we haven’t provided them with good infrastructure or they are just holidaying in some other planet,getting tan.Then you see the outline of the a mountain and another story comes to your mind,about Indra cutting the mountains’ wings,you realize that nuclear weapons have the power to destory countries and the world,what an improvement you conclude.You drive on further,still alone.Something walks across the road-another childhood story passes across,ghosts,which stops you and ask you for a ride and then kill you,but your mind refuses to indulge in such stuff and quickly moves on the fact,it was some Idiot,who lacked any sense, walking across,but feeling bored and searching for some comfort you propose to yourself that it might been one of those Rishies who are still alive,walking across.At that your mind returns to thier love life.You push that away,when the thought of Krishna strikes you.The guy with, GOD(he) knows how many wives.You wonder,how he managed to keep so many girls,when you can’t find one.He must have been some guy,with a lot of strength.He was addicted to butter,might be that was the secret(you make a mental note,that you better contact your friend in some weird orgainsation like Sundown Indian Culture Limited,whose findings if published,would put bollywood to shame and for that reason you decide against it).And you think of Rama,funny,that rama preceded krishna,he was the one who saw only one girl,he must be the dream guy,not Krishna,surely? But well you figure,out that even those men in those weird times,couldn’t but help like the idea of going behind so many girls at the same time,that is why they made Krishna come after Rama.And going on to complete the series,you jump to Buddha.He had a kingdom and a wife and a kid,before,going in search of peace.So we are to become like his then?But then that was his purpose.then you question the very existence of everything,what is fiction,what is reality? You are stunned at the fact that life is so complicated.But at least people 50 years back,had the time to grow beards and grow hair and think about such stuff.They lacked motivation? No,they didn’t they always moved on the next level,never staying in one thing.And then you think of your immideate past gen.What have they done,you question? They were once who know how sad wars are,they know the meaning of struggle,but what did they do? They left the country in the hands of sad politicans.You swear it off,you don’t want to think about that now,something fun…something fun..

Suddenly,Something does happen.You lose sense of your self,the wheels move on their own,you lose control,you hear a laughter and you turn to that mantra which gives you comfort and as you resign to fate and faith,you see the sense it all can make,but the force is too great and you just let go.You are awake but don’t know,what is happening.Panic,comfort,security,fear all at the same time.You hear a voice telling,”I am here now” Over come,you let go.Blank.

From misc3

What do you think hit you?