When it comes to Indian mythology, Devdutt Pattanaik always wins the game for me. Huge fan of the way he finds the most native way to express, and at the same time not losing the most basic essence of the idea. Once again in Jaya, he does the same with the mythological epic Mahabharata.
To begin with, the Mahabharata is the story of two groups of cousins, the Pandavas and the Kauravas, fighting for the throne of Hastinapura. The war aspect is more about dharma (duty), relationships, avarice, sacrifice, and the decisions that mark our identity.
Source: Chatgpt generated
I was always into mythology, thanks to my grandparents. I remember sitting next to my grandparents, listening to these stories. But now, when I tried to read them, I found it difficult to follow. And that’s the exact reason why Jaya was so appealing to me.
One of the things that I am most impressed with his work is not that he is a very good storyteller, he is that he is your guide when you read the story. After every chapter, there are a few comments he adds that give you insight into what you have just read. He tells why it happened, what it represents, or how this particular story differs in other regions.
Reading Jaya made me revisit my childhood, maybe with a stronger lens of understanding. It made me think of why all these ancient stories are still relevant today; they talk about love, pride, envy, family, and destiny, that is very much relatable.
If you love Indian mythology but tend to get lost in heavy texts, Jaya is a friend who patiently and kindly guides you through it. It is going to make you fall in love with these stories once again. You can thank me later :)
Bonus point: There are simple illustrations drawn by Pattanaik himself, making it more interesting to read.