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The Great Indian Epics Retold #2
Sita: An Illustrated Retelling of the Ramayana
It is significant that the only character in Hindu mythology, a king at that, to be given the title of ekam-patni-vrata, devoted to a single wife, is associated with the most unjust act of abandoning her in the forest to protect family reputation. This seems a deliberate souring of the narrative, made even more complex by Ram’s refusal to remarry despite the pressure on royalty to produce an heir. The intention seems to be to provoke thought on notions of fidelity, property and self-image.
And so mythologist and illustrator Devdutt Pattanaik narrates the Ramayan, drawing attention to the many oral, visual and written retellings composed in different times by different poets, each one trying to solve the puzzle in their own unique way.
This book approaches Ram by speculating on Sita—her childhood with her father, Janak, who hosted sages mentioned in the Upanishads; her stay in the forest with her husband who had to be a celibate ascetic while she was in the prime of her youth; her interactions with the women of Lanka, recipes she exchanged, emotions they shared; her connection with the earth, her mother; her role as the Goddess, the untamed Kali as well as the demure Gauri, in transforming the stoic prince of Ayodhya into God.
And so mythologist and illustrator Devdutt Pattanaik narrates the Ramayan, drawing attention to the many oral, visual and written retellings composed in different times by different poets, each one trying to solve the puzzle in their own unique way.
This book approaches Ram by speculating on Sita—her childhood with her father, Janak, who hosted sages mentioned in the Upanishads; her stay in the forest with her husband who had to be a celibate ascetic while she was in the prime of her youth; her interactions with the women of Lanka, recipes she exchanged, emotions they shared; her connection with the earth, her mother; her role as the Goddess, the untamed Kali as well as the demure Gauri, in transforming the stoic prince of Ayodhya into God.
346 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2013
714 people are currently reading
9426 people want to read
About the author
Devdutt Pattanaik
288 books3,350 followersDr. Devdutt Pattanaik (born December 11, 1970) is an Indian physician turned leadership consultant, mythologist and author whose works focus largely on the areas of myth, mythology, and also management. He has written a number of books related to Hindu mythology, including Myth = Mithya: A Handbook of Hindu Mythology, a novel, The Pregnant King, and Jaya: An Illustrated Retelling of the Mahabharata (2010).
He is the Chief Belief Officer of Future Group, one of India’s largest retailers, bringing the wisdom of Indian mythology into Indian business, especifically in human resource management. He also writes a column for the newspaper MID DAY.
He has also written a novel based on a tale from the Mahabharata titled 'The Pregnant King' published by Penguin Books India
He is the Chief Belief Officer of Future Group, one of India’s largest retailers, bringing the wisdom of Indian mythology into Indian business, especifically in human resource management. He also writes a column for the newspaper MID DAY.
He has also written a novel based on a tale from the Mahabharata titled 'The Pregnant King' published by Penguin Books India
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 606 reviews
January 4, 2022
I never really liked the Ramayana. Reasons:
1. I thought it was too righteous or glorifying the righteous
2. I did not like the fact that Rama abandoned Sita
3. I thought it did not have shades of grey like the Mahabharata.
But let me tell you, that after reading this version, this retelling of it, I am impressed! Particularly by Rama and his wisdom. I have now learnt to appreciate Hanuman much better. In fact, this story shows not just the love of a man for his wife, it shows love of an inspired soul towards the source of inspiration.
Plus the book always has Pattanaik's trait of explaining the deeply intertwined mythology. And connecting the dots of various rituals all over India and threading them with Ramayana story. In this book, we also read about the Javanese and Sri Lankan rituals/origins/heritage sites. I loved particularly the verbal exchanges between Ram and Lakshman, Ram and Sita and in many cases, Hanuman and Lankites. I was happy to know that Rama too was in despair. He was human. He was freaking out, he was losing it and the only reason why he was a much better individual is the speed with which he recovered from desperate situations. The way he turned the situation into something that can grow inspiration.
As opposed to the tiresome, elongated, version from Ashok Banker, Pattanaik is clever with his brevity.
Most of all, I appreciate the fact that the book showed whats actually evil. I did feel exercising control against the will of another is evil. That is certainly demonstrated well in Pattanaik's words. Sita particularly talks a lot about free will in a way that is difficult to compare with the world right now.
The end is written in a way that doesn't spell distaste for Rama in your head, as is usually the case. Today Rama is slightly unpopular among urban audience because of what might be construed as chauvinistic and selfish decisions. Pattanaik brings forth the power of Sita to turn around this perception. "He is God, he can abandon no one and I am Goddess, I cannot be abandoned by anyone" is a perfect quote and note to start and end the book. In short, Pattanaik turned me into a Ramayana fan. I would say this is the best retelling of the story in modern times!
Apart from all this, I like the art too. Devdutt Pattanaik cleverly puts in wonderful unique mural like art all over the book, which makes it more interesting to read.
1. I thought it was too righteous or glorifying the righteous
2. I did not like the fact that Rama abandoned Sita
3. I thought it did not have shades of grey like the Mahabharata.
But let me tell you, that after reading this version, this retelling of it, I am impressed! Particularly by Rama and his wisdom. I have now learnt to appreciate Hanuman much better. In fact, this story shows not just the love of a man for his wife, it shows love of an inspired soul towards the source of inspiration.
Plus the book always has Pattanaik's trait of explaining the deeply intertwined mythology. And connecting the dots of various rituals all over India and threading them with Ramayana story. In this book, we also read about the Javanese and Sri Lankan rituals/origins/heritage sites. I loved particularly the verbal exchanges between Ram and Lakshman, Ram and Sita and in many cases, Hanuman and Lankites. I was happy to know that Rama too was in despair. He was human. He was freaking out, he was losing it and the only reason why he was a much better individual is the speed with which he recovered from desperate situations. The way he turned the situation into something that can grow inspiration.
As opposed to the tiresome, elongated, version from Ashok Banker, Pattanaik is clever with his brevity.
Most of all, I appreciate the fact that the book showed whats actually evil. I did feel exercising control against the will of another is evil. That is certainly demonstrated well in Pattanaik's words. Sita particularly talks a lot about free will in a way that is difficult to compare with the world right now.
The end is written in a way that doesn't spell distaste for Rama in your head, as is usually the case. Today Rama is slightly unpopular among urban audience because of what might be construed as chauvinistic and selfish decisions. Pattanaik brings forth the power of Sita to turn around this perception. "He is God, he can abandon no one and I am Goddess, I cannot be abandoned by anyone" is a perfect quote and note to start and end the book. In short, Pattanaik turned me into a Ramayana fan. I would say this is the best retelling of the story in modern times!
Apart from all this, I like the art too. Devdutt Pattanaik cleverly puts in wonderful unique mural like art all over the book, which makes it more interesting to read.
January 30, 2018
I never had a fascination for Ramayana,because I've always seen Sita as a victim of gender oppression,who spends her life loving and longing for Ram, only to be rejected not once but twice for no fault of hers.
However,this book gave me an entirely new perspective of the great epic. Pattanaik does not write it in the conventional manner by focusing the tale on Ram, rather his central character is Sita.
Pattanaik draws Sita as an independent,intelligent, calm and courageous woman who argues with Ram to join him in exile, stoically waits for Ram to rescue her from Lanka and later raises her children as a single mother. It is now that I can see that Sita could always make her own life, with or without Ram, yet she gives up everything for Ram and his kingdom.
I've also discovered many unknown facts of the characters. I didn’t know that Sita was a great cook or that she was the only person, apart from Ram, who could effortlessly lift Shiva’s bow, or that she invented a lot of board games that are still played in rural India.
The book also brings new prospective to Ram. Pattanaik justifies Ram’s actions,pointing out that whatever Ram has done,is for the reputation of the Raghu-Clan. He is the 'Maryada Purushottam', who never breaks any rules and thus abandons Sita despite his own unhappiness.He also never remarried, like most of the men in that time,making him 'Ekam Patni-vrata'.
Pattanaik blends together many retellings and narratives of the Ramayana from different regions across India and outside India, and adds notes at the end of each chapter. I loved the artwork that has been applied by the author in each section.
The conversations between the different characters are so well crafted and insightful. After almost every paragraph it motivates us to pause and think,and then introspect on our own life.The book stresses that there are various ways of looking at the Ramayana. As Pattanaik puts it,
"Within infinite myths lies an eternal truth
Who sees it all?
Varuna has but a thousand eyes
Indra, a hundred
You and I, only two."
Sita is a must read and is one such book that uncovers more layers on consecutive readings.
However,this book gave me an entirely new perspective of the great epic. Pattanaik does not write it in the conventional manner by focusing the tale on Ram, rather his central character is Sita.
Pattanaik draws Sita as an independent,intelligent, calm and courageous woman who argues with Ram to join him in exile, stoically waits for Ram to rescue her from Lanka and later raises her children as a single mother. It is now that I can see that Sita could always make her own life, with or without Ram, yet she gives up everything for Ram and his kingdom.
I've also discovered many unknown facts of the characters. I didn’t know that Sita was a great cook or that she was the only person, apart from Ram, who could effortlessly lift Shiva’s bow, or that she invented a lot of board games that are still played in rural India.
The book also brings new prospective to Ram. Pattanaik justifies Ram’s actions,pointing out that whatever Ram has done,is for the reputation of the Raghu-Clan. He is the 'Maryada Purushottam', who never breaks any rules and thus abandons Sita despite his own unhappiness.He also never remarried, like most of the men in that time,making him 'Ekam Patni-vrata'.
Pattanaik blends together many retellings and narratives of the Ramayana from different regions across India and outside India, and adds notes at the end of each chapter. I loved the artwork that has been applied by the author in each section.
The conversations between the different characters are so well crafted and insightful. After almost every paragraph it motivates us to pause and think,and then introspect on our own life.The book stresses that there are various ways of looking at the Ramayana. As Pattanaik puts it,
"Within infinite myths lies an eternal truth
Who sees it all?
Varuna has but a thousand eyes
Indra, a hundred
You and I, only two."
Sita is a must read and is one such book that uncovers more layers on consecutive readings.
August 23, 2015
Fantastic!
When I reached page 250 (almost 5/6th of the book!) - at which point Sita is freed - I finally allowed myself the comparison that had been bubbling inside my head for a while. Jaya, an illustrated retelling of the Mahabharata by the same author, ranks among my top five books of all time. Thus far, this book had not really touched those levels. Rationalisation was easy - the Mahabharata is perhaps a more complex and interesting tale because of the sheer number of characters, the back stories, and the grey shades that permeate every character in it. There were many little nuggets I hadn't known about earlier, and that made the reading more exciting. On a relative note, the Ramayana is more 'linear', and there are a limited number of layers that the author can add, to situations or characters. I consoled myself with the fact that the narration was as spectacular as Jaya, and I had gained at least a couple of perspectives beyond my current understanding of the epic and its underlying philosophies. (Aham, and Aham Brahmasmi, for example) I did wonder though, why the author had to call it Sita - there wasn't really a justification.
And then, I continued reading. It is in Uttara- Ramayana that the author really comes into his own, almost like a reflection of his protagonist - Sita. The author had mentioned a dichotomy of prakriti (nature) and sanskriti (culture) on several occasions, and Sita's separation from Ram gives her the freedom to live her life in tune with the former. This section shows the maturity of Sita's character and also becomes a justification of the title, for we truly understand that Ram and Sita are inseparable as concepts. Despite knowing the story, the narration in the final pages really tug at your heart!
Ram's characterisation also deserves a mention. He is steadfast in his dharma, and does not expect any understanding from anyone else, including fate. He implicitly knows that Sita is the only one capable of understanding his reasons and actions fully. His perspectives are not blind - in fact, several times in the course of the book, he justifies the positions and actions of characters who might be considered antagonists. His faith in karma and dharma are unflappable and the author brings out the Maryada Purushottam really well.
The narrative largely remains faithful to Valmiki's version but also has an eclectic mix of other versions. At some points in the book, we also get an understanding not just of (the then) prevalent societal mores, but also their reasons.
It is a wonderful read, and takes its rightful place beside Jaya as a favourite!
P.S. If you have read Jaya, and noted the difference between Jaya and Vijaya, watch out for the parallel take on Durga and Shakti.
When I reached page 250 (almost 5/6th of the book!) - at which point Sita is freed - I finally allowed myself the comparison that had been bubbling inside my head for a while. Jaya, an illustrated retelling of the Mahabharata by the same author, ranks among my top five books of all time. Thus far, this book had not really touched those levels. Rationalisation was easy - the Mahabharata is perhaps a more complex and interesting tale because of the sheer number of characters, the back stories, and the grey shades that permeate every character in it. There were many little nuggets I hadn't known about earlier, and that made the reading more exciting. On a relative note, the Ramayana is more 'linear', and there are a limited number of layers that the author can add, to situations or characters. I consoled myself with the fact that the narration was as spectacular as Jaya, and I had gained at least a couple of perspectives beyond my current understanding of the epic and its underlying philosophies. (Aham, and Aham Brahmasmi, for example) I did wonder though, why the author had to call it Sita - there wasn't really a justification.
And then, I continued reading. It is in Uttara- Ramayana that the author really comes into his own, almost like a reflection of his protagonist - Sita. The author had mentioned a dichotomy of prakriti (nature) and sanskriti (culture) on several occasions, and Sita's separation from Ram gives her the freedom to live her life in tune with the former. This section shows the maturity of Sita's character and also becomes a justification of the title, for we truly understand that Ram and Sita are inseparable as concepts. Despite knowing the story, the narration in the final pages really tug at your heart!
Ram's characterisation also deserves a mention. He is steadfast in his dharma, and does not expect any understanding from anyone else, including fate. He implicitly knows that Sita is the only one capable of understanding his reasons and actions fully. His perspectives are not blind - in fact, several times in the course of the book, he justifies the positions and actions of characters who might be considered antagonists. His faith in karma and dharma are unflappable and the author brings out the Maryada Purushottam really well.
The narrative largely remains faithful to Valmiki's version but also has an eclectic mix of other versions. At some points in the book, we also get an understanding not just of (the then) prevalent societal mores, but also their reasons.
It is a wonderful read, and takes its rightful place beside Jaya as a favourite!
P.S. If you have read Jaya, and noted the difference between Jaya and Vijaya, watch out for the parallel take on Durga and Shakti.
October 4, 2017
"Within infinite myths lies an eternal truth
Who sees it all?
Varuna has but a thousand eyes
Indra, a hundred,
You and I, only two"
Ramayana is an age old saga that has been passed on from generation to generation through two primary means of communication - maukhik (orally) and likhit (written). Another medium got added to the list much later - that of moving pictures, and this has been utilized multitude of times in narrating the epic tale. But perhaps Devdutt Pattanaik's Sita, is the one, which has touched me in a way no other could. Unlike Mahabharata, Ramayana is considered to be a much simpler tale with lesser diversions and sub-tales, but here in Sita, you get all that there is to read and understand about the story of Ram - the seventh incarnate of Lord Vishnu. The supporting tales mentioned here, do not hinder the flow of the narrative, rather they are brought out at the most logical junctures where they actually belong. The author tries to bring many sub-stories, regional twists and beliefs into the fold of the main legend. The action of Ravana is compared and contrasted with some Greek and Roman mythological figures as well. Furthermore, there is perfect dose of analysis and commentary part in the narrative which makes 'Sita' an introspective piece of writing.
In order to stay true to the title 'Sita', the author has attempted to bring a woman's perspective in the proceedings, which has otherwise been left unregistered by the earlier story tellers. It begins with Sita's early years in her maternal house. We have been generously introduced to the childhood period of Rama and his three bothers, however, there is not much that has been written about Sita as a child. The things that interested her, her pastimes, her relationship with her parents, sisters and others in the kingdom - do not find much of a mention in many writings. Here, she is portrayed as a well-read, wise, strong and confident character. It is amazing how filling colours in a pencil sketch takes the whole creation to a completely different level and that is what happens to the character of Sita. Pattanaik also highlights the relationship that Sita shared with other women characters - the queens of Ayodhya, Anusuya, Mandodari and Trijata. Their conversations make it easy for the readers to understand the personalities and thought process of various actors.
Though a religious epic, Ramayana is a story which leaves many wondering and questioning about the fairness and rightfulness of the decision taken by Ram in banishing his pregnant wife. In Sita, Devdutt Pattanaik has tried to address this sensitive issue by highlighting the divine connection that Sita had with Ram, and vice-versa. Sita tried to pacify the embarrassment of Lakshman thus - 'Ram is dependable, hence God. I am independent, hence Goddess. He needs to do his duty, follow rules, and safeguard reputation. I am under no such obligation. I am free to do as I please: love him when I am separated from him, love him when I am rescued by him, love him when he clings to me, love him even when he lets me go.' This makes Sita a highly magnanimous person and one worthy of everyone's admiration and adulation.
This book definitely comes strongly against the male domination and blind propagation of Dharma. It is a perfect take on the inner strength and resilience of women and how they don't always need a man to feel complete. But even when delivering a strong picture of women, this book binds her to an image of sacrifice and withdrawal which has always been expected out of a woman. As a reader, there are few questions that have been playing around in my mind. Why do women always have to choose self-retreat as a glorious option when fighting patriarchy? Even when self-realisation is a great state of mind, why can't we opt for a different ending to each life even in fiction?
I would like to quote a few nuggets of intellect that would make one introspect and contemplate over and over again-
"Kanyaa-daan - I give you Lakshmi - wealth, who will bring you pleasure and prosperity. Grant me Saraswati, wisdom. Let me learn the joy of letting go. Indaan only wisdom is asked in exchange, unlike dakshina - where wealth is asked in exchange and bhiksha, where power is asked in exchange."
"Before your wife came into your life, you were a student, with no claim on property. After your wife leaves your life, you must become a hermit, with no claim over property. Only as long as she is by your side do you have claims over wealth. Without her, you cannot perform yagna, you must only perform tapasya."
"For many, the Ramayana is Ramveda, great wisdom, and the relationship between Ram and Sita is of word (mantra) and meaning (artha): one cannot exist without the other."
"By refusing to return to Ram, Sita turns away from sanskriti and the rules of society. She does not need social structures to give her status. She chooses the earth, where there are no boundaries and rules."
Sita: An Illustrated Retelling of the Ramayana is a brilliant read. It explores the enigma of Sita and explains her real strength of character. Devdutt Pattanaik has the acuteness to bring out the untapped wisdom that is lying deep in the mythological stories of yore. It makes you rethink the pre-set social norms of right and wrong. Devdutt is a master story teller. With this book he gives detailed insights about stories that have been told for ages and effortlessly manages to makes us fall in love with mythology.
Who sees it all?
Varuna has but a thousand eyes
Indra, a hundred,
You and I, only two"
Ramayana is an age old saga that has been passed on from generation to generation through two primary means of communication - maukhik (orally) and likhit (written). Another medium got added to the list much later - that of moving pictures, and this has been utilized multitude of times in narrating the epic tale. But perhaps Devdutt Pattanaik's Sita, is the one, which has touched me in a way no other could. Unlike Mahabharata, Ramayana is considered to be a much simpler tale with lesser diversions and sub-tales, but here in Sita, you get all that there is to read and understand about the story of Ram - the seventh incarnate of Lord Vishnu. The supporting tales mentioned here, do not hinder the flow of the narrative, rather they are brought out at the most logical junctures where they actually belong. The author tries to bring many sub-stories, regional twists and beliefs into the fold of the main legend. The action of Ravana is compared and contrasted with some Greek and Roman mythological figures as well. Furthermore, there is perfect dose of analysis and commentary part in the narrative which makes 'Sita' an introspective piece of writing.
In order to stay true to the title 'Sita', the author has attempted to bring a woman's perspective in the proceedings, which has otherwise been left unregistered by the earlier story tellers. It begins with Sita's early years in her maternal house. We have been generously introduced to the childhood period of Rama and his three bothers, however, there is not much that has been written about Sita as a child. The things that interested her, her pastimes, her relationship with her parents, sisters and others in the kingdom - do not find much of a mention in many writings. Here, she is portrayed as a well-read, wise, strong and confident character. It is amazing how filling colours in a pencil sketch takes the whole creation to a completely different level and that is what happens to the character of Sita. Pattanaik also highlights the relationship that Sita shared with other women characters - the queens of Ayodhya, Anusuya, Mandodari and Trijata. Their conversations make it easy for the readers to understand the personalities and thought process of various actors.
Though a religious epic, Ramayana is a story which leaves many wondering and questioning about the fairness and rightfulness of the decision taken by Ram in banishing his pregnant wife. In Sita, Devdutt Pattanaik has tried to address this sensitive issue by highlighting the divine connection that Sita had with Ram, and vice-versa. Sita tried to pacify the embarrassment of Lakshman thus - 'Ram is dependable, hence God. I am independent, hence Goddess. He needs to do his duty, follow rules, and safeguard reputation. I am under no such obligation. I am free to do as I please: love him when I am separated from him, love him when I am rescued by him, love him when he clings to me, love him even when he lets me go.' This makes Sita a highly magnanimous person and one worthy of everyone's admiration and adulation.
This book definitely comes strongly against the male domination and blind propagation of Dharma. It is a perfect take on the inner strength and resilience of women and how they don't always need a man to feel complete. But even when delivering a strong picture of women, this book binds her to an image of sacrifice and withdrawal which has always been expected out of a woman. As a reader, there are few questions that have been playing around in my mind. Why do women always have to choose self-retreat as a glorious option when fighting patriarchy? Even when self-realisation is a great state of mind, why can't we opt for a different ending to each life even in fiction?
I would like to quote a few nuggets of intellect that would make one introspect and contemplate over and over again-
"Kanyaa-daan - I give you Lakshmi - wealth, who will bring you pleasure and prosperity. Grant me Saraswati, wisdom. Let me learn the joy of letting go. Indaan only wisdom is asked in exchange, unlike dakshina - where wealth is asked in exchange and bhiksha, where power is asked in exchange."
"Before your wife came into your life, you were a student, with no claim on property. After your wife leaves your life, you must become a hermit, with no claim over property. Only as long as she is by your side do you have claims over wealth. Without her, you cannot perform yagna, you must only perform tapasya."
"For many, the Ramayana is Ramveda, great wisdom, and the relationship between Ram and Sita is of word (mantra) and meaning (artha): one cannot exist without the other."
"By refusing to return to Ram, Sita turns away from sanskriti and the rules of society. She does not need social structures to give her status. She chooses the earth, where there are no boundaries and rules."
Sita: An Illustrated Retelling of the Ramayana is a brilliant read. It explores the enigma of Sita and explains her real strength of character. Devdutt Pattanaik has the acuteness to bring out the untapped wisdom that is lying deep in the mythological stories of yore. It makes you rethink the pre-set social norms of right and wrong. Devdutt is a master story teller. With this book he gives detailed insights about stories that have been told for ages and effortlessly manages to makes us fall in love with mythology.
October 4, 2017
One awesome read... words fail me to describe this book. But Pattanaik once again proved that however many times a story is repeated, there's always something new , if one is talented enough to get to know the reader's pulse.
It taught me many lessons of life which I oft forget... But still I am irked at Ram foe all that he does towards Sita in the latter half of the book.
Lakshman is whom I can correlate with. He thinks almost like the common man. Sita was the strongest personality throughout the books... perhaps that's why the book is named after her.
Would surely read this again...
And would surely recommends this to all.. provided they are somewhat versed with the happenings in Ramayana.
It taught me many lessons of life which I oft forget... But still I am irked at Ram foe all that he does towards Sita in the latter half of the book.
Lakshman is whom I can correlate with. He thinks almost like the common man. Sita was the strongest personality throughout the books... perhaps that's why the book is named after her.
Would surely read this again...
And would surely recommends this to all.. provided they are somewhat versed with the happenings in Ramayana.
November 6, 2019
What to say about this writer. He is a myth maker.
Page 16 claims that Shree Ram was not a child of Dashrath but of Rishyashringa. THINK OF IMPLICATIONS.
This man has fetishes of his own which he imposes on Shree Ram.
He further claims that Valmiki Ramayana does not refer to Rishyashringa as son-in-law and later Ramayanas are fabricated to whitewash "this fact".
TRUTH: Valmiki Ramayana Balkand Sarg 9 Shloka 19 explicitly mentions Rishyashringa as Dashrath's son-in-law.
Sumantra, the charioteer of King Dashratha says: "I heard this from Sanatkumara (the Sage of Highest Order who is rooted in deepest Truth)"
ऋष्यश्रृंगस्य जामाता पुत्रांस्तव विधास्यति।
सनतकुमारकथितमेतावद् व्याहृतं मया।।
Rishyashringa is your son-in-law and will perform Yagya.
Devdutt STATES that Rishyashringa who was Dashrath's son-in-law (which he lies about) performed Niyoga with queens of Dashrath and therefore Ram is Rishyashringa's child. Pattnaik wants to overlook chapters after chapters which say Putra-Kameshti Yagya was performed. His effort is to prove Shree Ram as illegitimate child of Dashrath which I have conclusively disproved by stating about Putra-Kameshti Yagya. Devdutt tries to prove that Rishyashringa is not Dashrath's son-in-law which too I disproved with reference.
This man has crossed all limits.
Why should Hindus be okay if a writer LIES about their Aradhya Dev as illegitimate child ?
I had to throw away his books. He doesn't even know Sanskrit and write books like this. Readers are giving high ratings to this book and are learning wrong itihasa. What a shitty writer he is.
Page 16 claims that Shree Ram was not a child of Dashrath but of Rishyashringa. THINK OF IMPLICATIONS.
This man has fetishes of his own which he imposes on Shree Ram.
He further claims that Valmiki Ramayana does not refer to Rishyashringa as son-in-law and later Ramayanas are fabricated to whitewash "this fact".
TRUTH: Valmiki Ramayana Balkand Sarg 9 Shloka 19 explicitly mentions Rishyashringa as Dashrath's son-in-law.
Sumantra, the charioteer of King Dashratha says: "I heard this from Sanatkumara (the Sage of Highest Order who is rooted in deepest Truth)"
ऋष्यश्रृंगस्य जामाता पुत्रांस्तव विधास्यति।
सनतकुमारकथितमेतावद् व्याहृतं मया।।
Rishyashringa is your son-in-law and will perform Yagya.
Devdutt STATES that Rishyashringa who was Dashrath's son-in-law (which he lies about) performed Niyoga with queens of Dashrath and therefore Ram is Rishyashringa's child. Pattnaik wants to overlook chapters after chapters which say Putra-Kameshti Yagya was performed. His effort is to prove Shree Ram as illegitimate child of Dashrath which I have conclusively disproved by stating about Putra-Kameshti Yagya. Devdutt tries to prove that Rishyashringa is not Dashrath's son-in-law which too I disproved with reference.
This man has crossed all limits.
Why should Hindus be okay if a writer LIES about their Aradhya Dev as illegitimate child ?
I had to throw away his books. He doesn't even know Sanskrit and write books like this. Readers are giving high ratings to this book and are learning wrong itihasa. What a shitty writer he is.
February 1, 2015
I've always liked Mahabharat more than the Ramayan. There's no fun when there are no shades of evil.
But then, when I read the story again and again, I found the "righteousness and perfectionism" of Ram to be the real evil.
I loved the prologue which compared Ramayan & Mahabharat which actually sounded like a warning of Ram's actions to me.
" To all those who believe that the Mahabharata is more realistic and complex than the Ramayana :
In one, the protagonist is a kingmaker who can move around rules, while in the other protagonist is a king who must uphold rules, howsoever distasteful they may be. "
From Valmiki's script which was dated back to 2nd century BCE, Devdutt has interpolated different works across centuries which are about Ramayana. So what you have in your hand, brings to light the stories you have never heard of.
Devdutt Pattanaik's Sita throws a deeper insight into Sita's life. Hanuman goes in search of Ram's lost ring inside the earth and in Nag-log, Vasuki demands Hanuman to share Sita's story. Here it starts, the story of Sita, the martyr of Ramayana.
Greatest injustice in Ramayana, according to me, is done to Sita. Being a princess, she went to forest with Ram to accomplish his exile. She was then kidnapped by Ravana where she spends the most stressful time of her life. Her conversations with the Lankan women are all perfect. Just perfect. It doesn't stop there, Sita's suffering. Ram returns triumphantly rejoicing Ravan's death and gossips about Sita's purity perturbs Ram.
Lakshman takes Sita to leave her in the forest taking in account Ram's order. Lakshman is very much upset and disturbed, and Sita utters these words -
"You feel your Ram has abandoned his Sita, don't you? But he has not. He cannot. He is God - he abandons no one. And I am Goddess - I cannot be abandoned by anyone." I loved every bit of Sita from then on. Her attitude is icing on the cake.
Kalidasa's Raguvamsa, Bhoja's champu ramayana, Kamban's Ramavatharam, Akbar's collections of Ramayana Paintings, 1943's film Ram Rajya ( the only film seen by Mahatma Gandhi) , Ramanand sagar's Ramayana, Ashok Banker's Ramayana series are all taken into account while Devdutt penned down this book. The thing which is lovely is, Devdutt's book reveals new and minute details about Ramayana which includes rural-side stories of it.
The best book on Ramayan I've ever read :)
But then, when I read the story again and again, I found the "righteousness and perfectionism" of Ram to be the real evil.
I loved the prologue which compared Ramayan & Mahabharat which actually sounded like a warning of Ram's actions to me.
" To all those who believe that the Mahabharata is more realistic and complex than the Ramayana :
In one, the protagonist is a kingmaker who can move around rules, while in the other protagonist is a king who must uphold rules, howsoever distasteful they may be. "
From Valmiki's script which was dated back to 2nd century BCE, Devdutt has interpolated different works across centuries which are about Ramayana. So what you have in your hand, brings to light the stories you have never heard of.
Devdutt Pattanaik's Sita throws a deeper insight into Sita's life. Hanuman goes in search of Ram's lost ring inside the earth and in Nag-log, Vasuki demands Hanuman to share Sita's story. Here it starts, the story of Sita, the martyr of Ramayana.
Greatest injustice in Ramayana, according to me, is done to Sita. Being a princess, she went to forest with Ram to accomplish his exile. She was then kidnapped by Ravana where she spends the most stressful time of her life. Her conversations with the Lankan women are all perfect. Just perfect. It doesn't stop there, Sita's suffering. Ram returns triumphantly rejoicing Ravan's death and gossips about Sita's purity perturbs Ram.
Lakshman takes Sita to leave her in the forest taking in account Ram's order. Lakshman is very much upset and disturbed, and Sita utters these words -
"You feel your Ram has abandoned his Sita, don't you? But he has not. He cannot. He is God - he abandons no one. And I am Goddess - I cannot be abandoned by anyone." I loved every bit of Sita from then on. Her attitude is icing on the cake.
Kalidasa's Raguvamsa, Bhoja's champu ramayana, Kamban's Ramavatharam, Akbar's collections of Ramayana Paintings, 1943's film Ram Rajya ( the only film seen by Mahatma Gandhi) , Ramanand sagar's Ramayana, Ashok Banker's Ramayana series are all taken into account while Devdutt penned down this book. The thing which is lovely is, Devdutt's book reveals new and minute details about Ramayana which includes rural-side stories of it.
The best book on Ramayan I've ever read :)
February 25, 2019
This book is almost an Dissertation on Ramayana in it's many renditions across languages and continents. And yet, at the centre of the book is the many stories and tales that add up to the familiar story of Sita's Ram. I loved the way the author tried to step aside from any agenda and diligently present the various disambiguation on the said story at the end of each story.
Lot of the stories I had already come across and hence i was more interested in knowing what the various interpretations were. For example, I was surprised to find, in Assamese Ramayana, Kusa was actually created by Valmiki since he had lost the Lava while babysitting or how in Thai Ramayana Hanuman is not celebate but a warrior who sires many children. These are nothing compared to some of the interpretations which have been extremely well researched by the author.
The philosophical debates around a good king vs good husband, the concept of divinity, varna vs Jati etc were sort of simplified. I would have used dumbed down, but then I think it is unfair to the author. Lakshmana and Hanuman come out better than Ram and Sita becomes nature herself. The subtle humor in some of the stories held the book from becoming a research paper.
The author is not trying to tell a compelling tale, he just tries to tell a complete tale. World of difference when it comes to which story to include and which to drop. For example the story of Inderjit's taming of Lakshmana and Sugriva's excesses after his victory over Vali were there since it got represented in one of the interpretations. The many interpretations are indicative of how the tale has inspired people to seek their own image of a perfect king.
I think this is a edible non-mega serial version of the epic which is a good goto book for all ages.
Lot of the stories I had already come across and hence i was more interested in knowing what the various interpretations were. For example, I was surprised to find, in Assamese Ramayana, Kusa was actually created by Valmiki since he had lost the Lava while babysitting or how in Thai Ramayana Hanuman is not celebate but a warrior who sires many children. These are nothing compared to some of the interpretations which have been extremely well researched by the author.
The philosophical debates around a good king vs good husband, the concept of divinity, varna vs Jati etc were sort of simplified. I would have used dumbed down, but then I think it is unfair to the author. Lakshmana and Hanuman come out better than Ram and Sita becomes nature herself. The subtle humor in some of the stories held the book from becoming a research paper.
The author is not trying to tell a compelling tale, he just tries to tell a complete tale. World of difference when it comes to which story to include and which to drop. For example the story of Inderjit's taming of Lakshmana and Sugriva's excesses after his victory over Vali were there since it got represented in one of the interpretations. The many interpretations are indicative of how the tale has inspired people to seek their own image of a perfect king.
I think this is a edible non-mega serial version of the epic which is a good goto book for all ages.
September 28, 2017
First line - To all those who believe that the Mahabharata is more realistic and complex than the Ramayana: May they realize that.....
Well researched and presented in a crisp format. The illustrations are apt and marvellous, and the author's commentary at the end of each chapter is the icing on the cake, setting the context by summarising the various prominent versions.
Has ignited the curiosity to read the various versions of different character's point of views.
Loved the contrasts and linkings with the Mahabharata:
1. The epic Ramayana is aligned along the Dakshina-patha or the south highway that connects northern India to southern India while the epic Mahabharata is aligned along Uttara-patha or the north highway that connects western India to eastern India. Thus the two great epics cover the length and breadth of India.
2. In the Ramayana, Vishnu as Ram supports Surya’s son (Sugriva) against Indra’s son (Vali). In the Mahabharata, Vishnu as Krishna supports Indra’s son (Arjuna) against Surya’s son (Karna). Thus balance is restored over two lifetimes.
3. In the Mahabharata, Vishnu as Krishna encourages the burning of a forest to build a city. In the Ramayana, Shiva as Hanuman resides in a forest and burns down a city.
4. Both the Ramayana and the Mahabharata end not with victory of the heroes but knowledge transmission, a reminder that the war is less about things and more about thoughts.
5. Both the Ramayana and the Mahabharata raise the question of whether kingdoms are the properties of kings. Both agree that they are not.
Well researched and presented in a crisp format. The illustrations are apt and marvellous, and the author's commentary at the end of each chapter is the icing on the cake, setting the context by summarising the various prominent versions.
Has ignited the curiosity to read the various versions of different character's point of views.
Loved the contrasts and linkings with the Mahabharata:
1. The epic Ramayana is aligned along the Dakshina-patha or the south highway that connects northern India to southern India while the epic Mahabharata is aligned along Uttara-patha or the north highway that connects western India to eastern India. Thus the two great epics cover the length and breadth of India.
2. In the Ramayana, Vishnu as Ram supports Surya’s son (Sugriva) against Indra’s son (Vali). In the Mahabharata, Vishnu as Krishna supports Indra’s son (Arjuna) against Surya’s son (Karna). Thus balance is restored over two lifetimes.
3. In the Mahabharata, Vishnu as Krishna encourages the burning of a forest to build a city. In the Ramayana, Shiva as Hanuman resides in a forest and burns down a city.
4. Both the Ramayana and the Mahabharata end not with victory of the heroes but knowledge transmission, a reminder that the war is less about things and more about thoughts.
5. Both the Ramayana and the Mahabharata raise the question of whether kingdoms are the properties of kings. Both agree that they are not.
November 14, 2013
I am utterly disappointed with this book. Let me make it clear at the start that I'm disappointed because of my expectations of the author, based on past books, and not because the book itself has major flaws.
After reading and enjoying 'The Pregnant King' and 'Jaya' by Devdutt Pattanaik, I had high expectations from this book. Dr.Pattanaik's story-telling, I thought had a marvelous way of constructing the narrative, devoid of the over devout tone that one finds in all religious stories across India. With 'Jaya', it allowed me to discern larger lessons, more intricate realizations from the nuances of Mahabharata, since it did not stick to the formula of the Pandavas as starkly good and the Kauravas as big villians. 'The Pregnant King' had a similarly objective tone, while also telling a great story.
Sita, I'm afraid is a cop out. It is a narration of the Ramayan, exactly the way I've heard from every single religious person I've know. The title appears to be picked to throw you off, give the impression that this is another point of view of the Ramayan. But truly, Sita is a cardboard character at best, in this narrative and appears in very few chapters.
Ram is the starring superhero who can do evil. All his violent acts and decisions are miraculously vanished away by the victims claiming to be a curse that they are liberated from, by being slaughtered by Ram.
From a fiction point of view, Lakshman is the classic sidekick character, created only to glorify and showcase the protagonist's superiority. The only thing he does is pitch fits at every given opportunity, giving Ram a chance to say something profound.
Ravana is the worst depicted of the lot. Unlike Jaya, where character nuances were explored, in this tale, Ravana is depicted as an excessive supervillian. His wisdom and kingdom sovereignity (that have been talked about by historians) are brushed away with flimsy explanations, painting him out to be a bad guy, simply because he is BAD.
'Jaya' referenced several local legends and religious myths to add detail and colour to a complex story. 'Sita' in contrast, consistently refers to 4 or 5 other tellings of the Ramayan and in this book, just attempts to collate all of them in one narrative. Since, none of them really vary in any significant manner except for the most minor of details, this barely adds anything to the story.
If you have never read or heard the Ramayana, this is one narrative that's decently written. That said, it paints a very one-sided stark view of a narrative that is much more complex and thus, is incomplete and superficial.
After reading and enjoying 'The Pregnant King' and 'Jaya' by Devdutt Pattanaik, I had high expectations from this book. Dr.Pattanaik's story-telling, I thought had a marvelous way of constructing the narrative, devoid of the over devout tone that one finds in all religious stories across India. With 'Jaya', it allowed me to discern larger lessons, more intricate realizations from the nuances of Mahabharata, since it did not stick to the formula of the Pandavas as starkly good and the Kauravas as big villians. 'The Pregnant King' had a similarly objective tone, while also telling a great story.
Sita, I'm afraid is a cop out. It is a narration of the Ramayan, exactly the way I've heard from every single religious person I've know. The title appears to be picked to throw you off, give the impression that this is another point of view of the Ramayan. But truly, Sita is a cardboard character at best, in this narrative and appears in very few chapters.
Ram is the starring superhero who can do evil. All his violent acts and decisions are miraculously vanished away by the victims claiming to be a curse that they are liberated from, by being slaughtered by Ram.
From a fiction point of view, Lakshman is the classic sidekick character, created only to glorify and showcase the protagonist's superiority. The only thing he does is pitch fits at every given opportunity, giving Ram a chance to say something profound.
Ravana is the worst depicted of the lot. Unlike Jaya, where character nuances were explored, in this tale, Ravana is depicted as an excessive supervillian. His wisdom and kingdom sovereignity (that have been talked about by historians) are brushed away with flimsy explanations, painting him out to be a bad guy, simply because he is BAD.
'Jaya' referenced several local legends and religious myths to add detail and colour to a complex story. 'Sita' in contrast, consistently refers to 4 or 5 other tellings of the Ramayan and in this book, just attempts to collate all of them in one narrative. Since, none of them really vary in any significant manner except for the most minor of details, this barely adds anything to the story.
If you have never read or heard the Ramayana, this is one narrative that's decently written. That said, it paints a very one-sided stark view of a narrative that is much more complex and thus, is incomplete and superficial.
August 20, 2014
"‘She never listens,’ snapped Ram. ‘When I told her to stay in the palace, she insisted on accompanying me to the forest. When you told her to stay inside the hut in the forest, she insisted on stepping out. When I was rude and tried to set her free from the obligations of marriage after I killed Ravana, she insisted on walking through fire, displaying her chastity, and returning to this city with me. If I tell her that she is the subject of gossip and so cannot be associated with me in any way, she will ask complex questions that I will not be able to answer. It is best this way. She will understand. She has to understand.’"
So basically Ram dumped Sita because he did not have answers. Just like people who would basically suppress a human being because they do not confirm to their ideas. So basically to become "RAM" you turn into an egoistical patriarch?
Firstly this book had nothing to do with Sita and now the so called maryada purushottam (the word irks me to no end) dumps his wife and he is the Perfect King, whose rein we seek to replicate?
No Thanks! Give me an imperfect Mahabharata anyday.
Just FYI the rating of the book is because,
(a) The misleading title: there is nothing about Sita here
(b) Overfawning on Ram. Devdutt Pattanaik usually shows you the Devas with both their follies and greatness. The judgement is done by you as a reader. This book just seems like it was written by someone else.
So basically Ram dumped Sita because he did not have answers. Just like people who would basically suppress a human being because they do not confirm to their ideas. So basically to become "RAM" you turn into an egoistical patriarch?
Firstly this book had nothing to do with Sita and now the so called maryada purushottam (the word irks me to no end) dumps his wife and he is the Perfect King, whose rein we seek to replicate?
No Thanks! Give me an imperfect Mahabharata anyday.
Just FYI the rating of the book is because,
(a) The misleading title: there is nothing about Sita here
(b) Overfawning on Ram. Devdutt Pattanaik usually shows you the Devas with both their follies and greatness. The judgement is done by you as a reader. This book just seems like it was written by someone else.
May 13, 2020
After all Ramayanas was it needed? If so then why did you show Shri Ram as most cruel husband of his era? In this, Shri Ram asked Sita to marry Laxman or anyother man after agnipareeksha!! Seriously???
In many pages it is good to read at once but I hated the way you portrayed Shri Ram and created man made society in that era with your imagination.
In many pages it is good to read at once but I hated the way you portrayed Shri Ram and created man made society in that era with your imagination.
December 14, 2024
A less than spectacular read if your intention is to know the Ramayana beyond comic books. Contains a myriad of lesser-known stories from villages and smaller communities across India, which was interesting to know but by no means authentic of the original text or reflective of a historical society. His attempt at amalgamating them into a canonical narrative is an artistic mistake at best and conscious misdirection at worst, cementing his reputation as unreliable, inconsistent and ill-informed.
The prose did not do justice to the intention of the book. It failed to recapture the depth of emotions - of anguish and loneliness Sita endured all those months in captivity. The dialogues between the figures came across as petulant, impulsive and pruned to a slang-adapted audience - as far as one can be from anything respectable.
I have no comments on the above.
If getting acquainted with the Ramayana is the goal, the English rendition of Kamala Subramaniam, Bibek Debroy are highly acclaimed for their approachability and integrity.
To conclude, its a book to flip through at the airport or waiting in the doctor's lounge, but less informative than comic books and as entertaining as a root canal.
The prose did not do justice to the intention of the book. It failed to recapture the depth of emotions - of anguish and loneliness Sita endured all those months in captivity. The dialogues between the figures came across as petulant, impulsive and pruned to a slang-adapted audience - as far as one can be from anything respectable.
‘Do animals get bored?’ asked Lakshman.(Book 4: Abduction)
‘Do trees get bored?’ wondered Ram.
I have no comments on the above.
If getting acquainted with the Ramayana is the goal, the English rendition of Kamala Subramaniam, Bibek Debroy are highly acclaimed for their approachability and integrity.
To conclude, its a book to flip through at the airport or waiting in the doctor's lounge, but less informative than comic books and as entertaining as a root canal.
February 6, 2021
I couldn't get myself to finish this book.
People were in praise of this and I realized it was because they're all a bunch misogynistic fucks.
Please don't waste your time reading this. We have better stuff to do.
People were in praise of this and I realized it was because they're all a bunch misogynistic fucks.
Please don't waste your time reading this. We have better stuff to do.
March 15, 2020
I couldn’t read this book past 10 pages. The writing style is bad. The drawings he put onto each other page are awful, ridiculous and highly distracting. Boxes with trivia communicated as bullet points are just too much unwanted information. I deleted all his other books from my iPad as well.
I guess when learned people say one has to learn scriptures from bonafide teachers and not jokers who look at ten different material and pick one of their choosing, they were referring rightfully to such authors as these.
I guess when learned people say one has to learn scriptures from bonafide teachers and not jokers who look at ten different material and pick one of their choosing, they were referring rightfully to such authors as these.
November 11, 2018
The question that bothered me all along reading this book, even after completion was, Why was this named "Sita"? This is neither a book from Sita's perspective nor a modern non-misogynistic retelling. Then why name it Sita if you are only going to repeat the story with the same structure and voice? Just to attract a few readers?
The book starts well with some discussion on Indian / Hindu philosophical thought and slips very soon in to the age old story. Sita is not the protagonist expect for last 30 pages of the story. You never get to hear her side before that. She even worries if her hero will accept her or consider her as the contaminated berry (like what Shabari offers) in captivity. So much for being the eponymous character.
Any calling out of sexist or racist connotations of Ramayana which have long troubled the conscience of people who ardently support, happens only in the footnotes that come after each chapter.
The 'Maryada Purushottam Ram' calls Sita 'a stain that needs to washed away' more than once.
I can go on and on about such issues.
The extremely well researched trivia and subplots or side stories and back stories were not enough to mask the fact that this book, in this form is no longer relevant. The earlier Ramayan versions were definitely more poetic and magical. A story, when retold, should serve a purpose better than the one before. There should be some evolution, some learning from past mistakes, some introspection and some growth. There is no point to a soulless, redundant, copy-paste when there are other better ones that have stood the test of time.
The book starts well with some discussion on Indian / Hindu philosophical thought and slips very soon in to the age old story. Sita is not the protagonist expect for last 30 pages of the story. You never get to hear her side before that. She even worries if her hero will accept her or consider her as the contaminated berry (like what Shabari offers) in captivity. So much for being the eponymous character.
Any calling out of sexist or racist connotations of Ramayana which have long troubled the conscience of people who ardently support, happens only in the footnotes that come after each chapter.
The 'Maryada Purushottam Ram' calls Sita 'a stain that needs to washed away' more than once.
I can go on and on about such issues.
The extremely well researched trivia and subplots or side stories and back stories were not enough to mask the fact that this book, in this form is no longer relevant. The earlier Ramayan versions were definitely more poetic and magical. A story, when retold, should serve a purpose better than the one before. There should be some evolution, some learning from past mistakes, some introspection and some growth. There is no point to a soulless, redundant, copy-paste when there are other better ones that have stood the test of time.
December 9, 2013
i had major expectations from this book and probably that is why i got dissapointed.
the title suggests that the story is from sita's perspective, something similar to The Palace of Illusionswhere the narrative departs from tradition and gives an insight from draupadi's or kunti's perspective.
but this, it was all about RAM! the author through sita somehow tries to justify everything which we find wrong with ramayana (sita's exile for example) by calling it a western perspective or a selfless act of love!
nevertheless, the comparative approach of picking up ramayana from across the country, SE asia and folklore is commendable. the language is simple and at places beautiful. but overall the book did not leave me with a good feeling, call me a crazy over-analytical feminist!
the title suggests that the story is from sita's perspective, something similar to The Palace of Illusionswhere the narrative departs from tradition and gives an insight from draupadi's or kunti's perspective.
but this, it was all about RAM! the author through sita somehow tries to justify everything which we find wrong with ramayana (sita's exile for example) by calling it a western perspective or a selfless act of love!
nevertheless, the comparative approach of picking up ramayana from across the country, SE asia and folklore is commendable. the language is simple and at places beautiful. but overall the book did not leave me with a good feeling, call me a crazy over-analytical feminist!
June 12, 2018
If you chose this book because it is economical and easy to read with great pictures, you will be fooled.
Worst book I have ever read on Ramayana. Though author tried to sound like scholar his lack of (intended?) knowledge is clearly visible. It has nothing to do with Ramayana except for the name and characters.
Worst book I have ever read on Ramayana. Though author tried to sound like scholar his lack of (intended?) knowledge is clearly visible. It has nothing to do with Ramayana except for the name and characters.
April 16, 2016
Very disappointed. The title led me to assume that this would be Ramayana from sita's point of view. But this is just Ramayana with Sita sharing recipies and board games with the residents of Lanka.
Enjoyed the various references, but there is no Sita in this book.
Enjoyed the various references, but there is no Sita in this book.
January 14, 2019
I'd give two for the effort but none for the unfounded representation of mythologies belonging to other cultures. It takes time and even with that, one cannot read all these varied sources to arrive at the "supposed difference of Greek interpretations of heroism" in their stories and hours.
July 26, 2014
I was really disapointed with the book, heard a lot about the author but book is not upto the mark
April 16, 2018
3.5
Just a note, I won't be marking this book as spoiler filled because it's a book that is relevant to Indian culture. It's like posting a review on the Bible and marking it as "contains spoilers". It doesn't really make sense. Also, if you've never read the Ramayana, then I highly recommend reading a simple version first to get an understanding of the story before jumping into this book.
Devdutt Pattanaik is a storyteller and this book unfolds as such. It's similar to the stories your grandparents told you when you were young. The narration is simple but the message gets across, and for a complex tale that is the Ramayana, simplification is best. The story of the Ramayana is not so much a story as it is philosophy. Obviously, when you are young you don't think with such depth but the questions remain, no? It's only when you're older that you go back to seek answers and find that the characters from an epic written 1000s of years ago are seeking the same answers.
I'll be honest, the Ramayana is not my most favourite story and Ram is not someone I wholly admire (the horror, I know). Now most of you may think it's because Ram abandons Sita at the end. The whole oppression against women issue, and you would be right. I won't lie by saying that I wasn't disappointed by this "hero", "holder of rules" "God on Earth" man. But, I think it's partly due to the version of the story that I was told, and I think a good storyteller is one who is able to bring complexity to the characters. The characters in most Indian stories are very complex because of the ideologies they carry that show the complexity that is Indian culture. Pattanaik knows this and is trying to reveal these complexities in a way that's understandable to the modern day reader, and I think he did a good job because he was able to make me see Ram in a different way.
One thing I really liked was that Pattanaik kept the chapters short and at the end of each chapter, he included a small section that informed the reader about the various interpretations that particular chapter has in different cultures. Indian culture and religion is very different from most cultures as they allow for many interpretations and interjections that make sense to the culture. In some versions Ram is an avatar (btw, it's pronounced av-thar) of Vishnu. In others, he is unaware of his godliness. All interpretations are accepted because it's not the story that's being communicated but the ideas.
Pattanaik also informed the readers of changes that were made throughout the centuries. He also prods the reader to question the characters. Question their actions, thoughts, and behaviors. He includes different interpretations made by scholars and poets and asks you if it's right or not. Finally, he includes Western interpretations of the story. He mentions how these interpretations are often inaccurate and have been purposely exploited in the past to justify British rule over India. Even now, most Western interpretations are sadly inaccurate. But it's not their fault. Western language lacks the ability to accommodate for Indian ideals (and it's not like the British were very open to accommodations during their colonizing days.) and so the main ideas get lost in translation. He also points a finger to oppressors and politicians who use these stories to justify their campaign. Showing Ram as a Greek Hero (strong, muscular, fierce, etc) is inaccurate. Justifying violence and oppression against women due to the way women are treated in the stories is also inaccurate because not only is it wrong but an injustice to the story itself.
So why are we being told this story from Sita's perspective? It's not like she does much and Pattanaik can't make her into some war heroine as that would deviate far too much from the story and her character. I think it's to make the reader see how she views the world, her people, Ram, Ravana, and life itself. It's said over and over again how she is the independent one. That Ram needs her but she doesn't need him. That she chooses of her own will to follow him into exile and into the forest when she is abandoned. And where most readers relate to Lakshmana's confusion and anger at Ram's abandonment, Sita never gets angry at him. I for one, never understood her character and as to why she wouldn't be pissed off by the fact that she was being shone this way. But from this book, I understood why she acted the way she did. Pattanaik also humanizes Ram. He shows various instances where Ram is openly expressing himself and the one that was new for me was when he speaks to his sons about his feelings on abandoning Sita. Ram is praised as the upholder of rules. He puts the kingdom above everything, even himself and those he loves. When rumors start about Sita, he has no choice but to continuously sacrifice what he loves for the success of the kingdom and he starts to hate it. He will always love the kingdom and its people but even he admits that he's in misery without the freedom of the forest and without Sita beside him.
Just a note, I won't be marking this book as spoiler filled because it's a book that is relevant to Indian culture. It's like posting a review on the Bible and marking it as "contains spoilers". It doesn't really make sense. Also, if you've never read the Ramayana, then I highly recommend reading a simple version first to get an understanding of the story before jumping into this book.
Devdutt Pattanaik is a storyteller and this book unfolds as such. It's similar to the stories your grandparents told you when you were young. The narration is simple but the message gets across, and for a complex tale that is the Ramayana, simplification is best. The story of the Ramayana is not so much a story as it is philosophy. Obviously, when you are young you don't think with such depth but the questions remain, no? It's only when you're older that you go back to seek answers and find that the characters from an epic written 1000s of years ago are seeking the same answers.
I'll be honest, the Ramayana is not my most favourite story and Ram is not someone I wholly admire (the horror, I know). Now most of you may think it's because Ram abandons Sita at the end. The whole oppression against women issue, and you would be right. I won't lie by saying that I wasn't disappointed by this "hero", "holder of rules" "God on Earth" man. But, I think it's partly due to the version of the story that I was told, and I think a good storyteller is one who is able to bring complexity to the characters. The characters in most Indian stories are very complex because of the ideologies they carry that show the complexity that is Indian culture. Pattanaik knows this and is trying to reveal these complexities in a way that's understandable to the modern day reader, and I think he did a good job because he was able to make me see Ram in a different way.
One thing I really liked was that Pattanaik kept the chapters short and at the end of each chapter, he included a small section that informed the reader about the various interpretations that particular chapter has in different cultures. Indian culture and religion is very different from most cultures as they allow for many interpretations and interjections that make sense to the culture. In some versions Ram is an avatar (btw, it's pronounced av-thar) of Vishnu. In others, he is unaware of his godliness. All interpretations are accepted because it's not the story that's being communicated but the ideas.
Pattanaik also informed the readers of changes that were made throughout the centuries. He also prods the reader to question the characters. Question their actions, thoughts, and behaviors. He includes different interpretations made by scholars and poets and asks you if it's right or not. Finally, he includes Western interpretations of the story. He mentions how these interpretations are often inaccurate and have been purposely exploited in the past to justify British rule over India. Even now, most Western interpretations are sadly inaccurate. But it's not their fault. Western language lacks the ability to accommodate for Indian ideals (
So why are we being told this story from Sita's perspective? It's not like she does much and Pattanaik can't make her into some war heroine as that would deviate far too much from the story and her character. I think it's to make the reader see how she views the world, her people, Ram, Ravana, and life itself. It's said over and over again how she is the independent one. That Ram needs her but she doesn't need him. That she chooses of her own will to follow him into exile and into the forest when she is abandoned. And where most readers relate to Lakshmana's confusion and anger at Ram's abandonment, Sita never gets angry at him. I for one, never understood her character and as to why she wouldn't be pissed off by the fact that she was being shone this way. But from this book, I understood why she acted the way she did. Pattanaik also humanizes Ram. He shows various instances where Ram is openly expressing himself and the one that was new for me was when he speaks to his sons about his feelings on abandoning Sita. Ram is praised as the upholder of rules. He puts the kingdom above everything, even himself and those he loves. When rumors start about Sita, he has no choice but to continuously sacrifice what he loves for the success of the kingdom and he starts to hate it. He will always love the kingdom and its people but even he admits that he's in misery without the freedom of the forest and without Sita beside him.
June 27, 2018
"Be the best you can be, in the worst of circumstances, even when no one is watching".
When a book is filled with such impelling and inspirational words who wouldn't like to read and muse upon the life we are living in present time and beyond.
This is a modern retelling of epic saga of war between evil and good. For a change, it's more focused on Sita, showcasing her in a heroic light rather than making it all about Ram, the Savior as told and believed since eternity.
The book is divided into multiple parts like Marriage, Exile, Abduction, Rescue and a final epilogue. Each part describes a period of Sita and Ram Life. Apart from their life, multiple other short stories are narrated to uncover the hidden facts about other less and more important characters of Ramayana. Each and every part is so beautiful crafted that you get entertained and at the same time take a moment to reflect it in your being.
As the central character is Sita, so we get to know many otherwise obscure facts about her and how she felt through the ups and downs of her life. Readers will also get a chance to see Sita and Ram's relationship in a new pink light which was never reveled before.
Overall it's a very impressive book written in most alluring words making the Ramayana retelling a wonderful read. The one piece in the book I liked the most goes like:
“Every human creates his own imagined version of the world, and of himself. Every human is therefore Brahma, creator of his own aham.
Aham Brahmasmi, I am Brahma.
Tat tvam asi, so are you.
We knot our imagination with fear to create aham. Tapasya and yagna are two tools that can help us unknot the mind, outgrow fear and discover atma, our true self.”
When a book is filled with such impelling and inspirational words who wouldn't like to read and muse upon the life we are living in present time and beyond.
This is a modern retelling of epic saga of war between evil and good. For a change, it's more focused on Sita, showcasing her in a heroic light rather than making it all about Ram, the Savior as told and believed since eternity.
The book is divided into multiple parts like Marriage, Exile, Abduction, Rescue and a final epilogue. Each part describes a period of Sita and Ram Life. Apart from their life, multiple other short stories are narrated to uncover the hidden facts about other less and more important characters of Ramayana. Each and every part is so beautiful crafted that you get entertained and at the same time take a moment to reflect it in your being.
As the central character is Sita, so we get to know many otherwise obscure facts about her and how she felt through the ups and downs of her life. Readers will also get a chance to see Sita and Ram's relationship in a new pink light which was never reveled before.
Overall it's a very impressive book written in most alluring words making the Ramayana retelling a wonderful read. The one piece in the book I liked the most goes like:
“Every human creates his own imagined version of the world, and of himself. Every human is therefore Brahma, creator of his own aham.
Aham Brahmasmi, I am Brahma.
Tat tvam asi, so are you.
We knot our imagination with fear to create aham. Tapasya and yagna are two tools that can help us unknot the mind, outgrow fear and discover atma, our true self.”
July 13, 2016
Earlier i had doubt about this book as Devdutt's Jaya has better ratings and reviews on Goodreads. After finishing it up, I do not regret my decision of picking it up instead of 'Jaya'.
Devdutt makes ram a hero, then a villain by showing his wrong decisions and again justifies his doings. Throughout the book he keeps comparing krishna with ram; how they represent a complete contrast and yet together make one vishnu.
Hanuman is shown with the capability to outshine all but still modest and wise. Better described in Sita's words-
"Most people seek to be the sun around which world revolves. Very few are willing to be the moon, allowing others to be the sun despite having full knowledge that they can outshine everyone else."
No version or series or anime movie based on ramayana made me cry until i read two page description of Sita's descent in earth in chapter 'Sita returns to her mother'.
Page to page , this book has endless quotes which i wanted to bookmark or highlight and quote here. To quote one-
"He remained trapped in culture and nature set her free."
Devdutt makes ram a hero, then a villain by showing his wrong decisions and again justifies his doings. Throughout the book he keeps comparing krishna with ram; how they represent a complete contrast and yet together make one vishnu.
Hanuman is shown with the capability to outshine all but still modest and wise. Better described in Sita's words-
"Most people seek to be the sun around which world revolves. Very few are willing to be the moon, allowing others to be the sun despite having full knowledge that they can outshine everyone else."
No version or series or anime movie based on ramayana made me cry until i read two page description of Sita's descent in earth in chapter 'Sita returns to her mother'.
Page to page , this book has endless quotes which i wanted to bookmark or highlight and quote here. To quote one-
"He remained trapped in culture and nature set her free."
February 6, 2016
This book made me see Ram through Sita's eyes! Truly he is the best avatar of all Vishnu's avatars. After I finished the book I clenched it to my heart and uttered "Ram..... Raaammmmm.... Raaaaaammmmmmm...". Pattanaik has done an extensive research for the book. As a child, I was only familiar with Kamba Ramayanam although I have heard about Anjaneyar's version (the one he wrote on trees) and also Valmiki's. This book provided a comparative study of different versions of Ramayana. I recommend this book for EVERYBODY.
March 19, 2018
Devdutt's rendition of Ramayana is absolutely wonderful! However many times I read the Ramayana stories or watch movies/snippets, I never seems to be satiated.
I absolutely adore the compare and contrast of various (not all) renditions of Ramayana in India, Thailand... I am yet to read the original version of Kamba Ramayana in my language. The author's glimpse of various renditions just open my mind to further explore this epic saga.
I absolutely adore the compare and contrast of various (not all) renditions of Ramayana in India, Thailand... I am yet to read the original version of Kamba Ramayana in my language. The author's glimpse of various renditions just open my mind to further explore this epic saga.
January 4, 2014
I have never read the Ramayana with as much interest as I did the Mahabharata, even in childhood. For some reason, the Mahabharata always captured my imagination as a colorful story in ways that the Ramayana did not. Having enjoyed the author’s retelling of the Mahabharata, I decided to try this one on the Ramayana, to see if I had missed something in my youthful days. After reading this work, I now know why I felt the way I did about this epic. In short, the Ramayana is about the personality of a man - Ram - who values rules above all else; he is predictable, dependable, cold, distant and sadly, not very pleasant. On the other hand, Krishna in the Mahabharata is loving, kind, affectionate and quite free-spirited and is ready to bend the rules to achieve an ultimate end that is good. The character of Krishna is simply more accessible than Ram.
The story of Ramayana is too well-known to recount here. The author narrates the epic by delving into the multiple approaches to the story from the various regions of India as well as south-east Asia. In this narration, it is Sita who emerges as the lofty Goddess figure , who is learned, who is compassionate with the women of Lanka with whom she shares emotions, as one who is deeply connected to mother Earth, both in her long exile in the forest as well as in her imprisonment in the Ashokavana in Lanka. In contrast, Ram and Lakshman come off as rigid followers of rules and masters in self-denial. Unlike his retelling of the Mahabharata, the author has not dwelt much on an analytical approach to the many contentious acts in the epic - like Ram’s killing of Vali, the ‘betrayal’ of Sugriva and Vibhishna of their own brothers, the ’indifference’ of Lakshman towards his wife Urmila by abandoning her for fourteen years right after marriage or the ‘fantasy’ of the monkey army defeating the rakshasas of Lanka. The author simply says that one can look at the Ramayana as history, a record of events of the past, or it can be seen in psychological terms with each character representing a different aspect of our personality.
Still, there are interesting observations by the author. The epic repeatedly stresses that Lakshman never looked at Sita’s face, that Sita never looked at Ravana’s face and that Ram never looked at Tadaka’s face. Looking at someone’s face seems to have had an intimacy associated with eroticism in those times.
The other point that the author makes is that there was an acceptance of male violence against women in those times, going by the killing/mutilation of Tadaka, Surpanakha, Lankini, Mandodari and Chandrasena.
The book does not provide much scientific data as to the period in which the epic was written or even located. It is mentioned at the end that the epic can be located in 5000 BCE or even earlier in the Gangetic plains. I think this may be a typo and should perhaps have been 500 BCE. The author remarks in the beginning that oral transmissions of Ram’s story had started going on since 500 BCE, culminating in the final form in Sanskrit in 200 BCE. One can perhaps conclude that Ramayana has strong overtones of the Vedic times in so far as Ram’s conduct of scrupulous adherence to rules is concerned. In the Vedic approach (as opposed to the Tantric) , self-realization is achieved by detached adherence to cultural values, judgments, social roles and ritual rules.
On a lighter note, we have often had people in India claiming that our culture knew ‘the science of flying’ going by the use of Pushpak Vimana in the Ramayana. Reading about Maricha in the forest and his ability to acquire the form of a deer and speak in the voice of Ram made me wonder whether Maricha was a cyborg as seen in the ‘Terminator’ series of films. Why hasn’t anyone claimed that our culture knew how to create cyborgs?
Though the author does not deal with the question, the story raises critical questions in us regarding the ‘greatness’ of Ram Rajya ( the rule of Ram). As narrated in the epic, the rule of Ram seems to be above all else, the rule of law, irrespective of the quality of the laws themselves. Ram’s rule does not come off as humane or kind or enlightened. It simply comes off as slavish adherence to and upholding of the prestige of the Raghu clan and assuaging popular sentiments much against one’s own better judgement. I wonder why Ram Rajya is hailed as the ideal in Hindu society, even by people like Mahatma Gandhi.
Finally, we see yet again in Ramayana, the dominance of the so-called ‘Yayati complex’ in Indian men. The older generation dominates society, keeping a stranglehold of tradition over modernity, as evidenced by the sacrifice of Ram for Dasaratha's follies and the sacrifice of Indrajit with his own life for his father Ravana's follies., much against their own better judgements.
There are other references and commentaries by the author on aspects of the Epic which make this book a worthwhile read. The number of characters may simply overwhelm one and make us lose track of some story lines but one can still get a good overall view of the epic from this retelling.
The story of Ramayana is too well-known to recount here. The author narrates the epic by delving into the multiple approaches to the story from the various regions of India as well as south-east Asia. In this narration, it is Sita who emerges as the lofty Goddess figure , who is learned, who is compassionate with the women of Lanka with whom she shares emotions, as one who is deeply connected to mother Earth, both in her long exile in the forest as well as in her imprisonment in the Ashokavana in Lanka. In contrast, Ram and Lakshman come off as rigid followers of rules and masters in self-denial. Unlike his retelling of the Mahabharata, the author has not dwelt much on an analytical approach to the many contentious acts in the epic - like Ram’s killing of Vali, the ‘betrayal’ of Sugriva and Vibhishna of their own brothers, the ’indifference’ of Lakshman towards his wife Urmila by abandoning her for fourteen years right after marriage or the ‘fantasy’ of the monkey army defeating the rakshasas of Lanka. The author simply says that one can look at the Ramayana as history, a record of events of the past, or it can be seen in psychological terms with each character representing a different aspect of our personality.
Still, there are interesting observations by the author. The epic repeatedly stresses that Lakshman never looked at Sita’s face, that Sita never looked at Ravana’s face and that Ram never looked at Tadaka’s face. Looking at someone’s face seems to have had an intimacy associated with eroticism in those times.
The other point that the author makes is that there was an acceptance of male violence against women in those times, going by the killing/mutilation of Tadaka, Surpanakha, Lankini, Mandodari and Chandrasena.
The book does not provide much scientific data as to the period in which the epic was written or even located. It is mentioned at the end that the epic can be located in 5000 BCE or even earlier in the Gangetic plains. I think this may be a typo and should perhaps have been 500 BCE. The author remarks in the beginning that oral transmissions of Ram’s story had started going on since 500 BCE, culminating in the final form in Sanskrit in 200 BCE. One can perhaps conclude that Ramayana has strong overtones of the Vedic times in so far as Ram’s conduct of scrupulous adherence to rules is concerned. In the Vedic approach (as opposed to the Tantric) , self-realization is achieved by detached adherence to cultural values, judgments, social roles and ritual rules.
On a lighter note, we have often had people in India claiming that our culture knew ‘the science of flying’ going by the use of Pushpak Vimana in the Ramayana. Reading about Maricha in the forest and his ability to acquire the form of a deer and speak in the voice of Ram made me wonder whether Maricha was a cyborg as seen in the ‘Terminator’ series of films. Why hasn’t anyone claimed that our culture knew how to create cyborgs?
Though the author does not deal with the question, the story raises critical questions in us regarding the ‘greatness’ of Ram Rajya ( the rule of Ram). As narrated in the epic, the rule of Ram seems to be above all else, the rule of law, irrespective of the quality of the laws themselves. Ram’s rule does not come off as humane or kind or enlightened. It simply comes off as slavish adherence to and upholding of the prestige of the Raghu clan and assuaging popular sentiments much against one’s own better judgement. I wonder why Ram Rajya is hailed as the ideal in Hindu society, even by people like Mahatma Gandhi.
Finally, we see yet again in Ramayana, the dominance of the so-called ‘Yayati complex’ in Indian men. The older generation dominates society, keeping a stranglehold of tradition over modernity, as evidenced by the sacrifice of Ram for Dasaratha's follies and the sacrifice of Indrajit with his own life for his father Ravana's follies., much against their own better judgements.
There are other references and commentaries by the author on aspects of the Epic which make this book a worthwhile read. The number of characters may simply overwhelm one and make us lose track of some story lines but one can still get a good overall view of the epic from this retelling.
January 20, 2016
Mythology is a genre I’ve grown up reading or hearing stories from; especially Indian mythology. The tales of the Kauravas and Pandavas, Krishna, devas and daityas, gods and goddesses… they were my bedtime stories. The avatars of the gods also came into the picture, and I remember not just hearing stories from the Ramayana, but also watching the serial on television. So reading a retelling of the book began with the expectation that the magic of the original would be retained.
Like his retelling of the Mahabharata, Devdutt Pattanaik does the retelling of the Ramayana justice. He goes in depth into the great epic but doesn’t just tell its story again. He offers his thoughts on the vignettes after them. My focus was primarily on the retelling, and I felt that how he narrates it keeps it short and interesting. And again, his artwork spread across the book helped in that aspect, and also to bring a picture to mind. He manages to keep me engaged from the start, and also makes me happy to read about some parts that I hadn’t previously known. He also explains some aspects of today’s culture/traditions that I’d seen but felt a mystery.
These are characters which are so well known, yet the sketches when read seem fresh. I’d not known Rama as a character who never questioned, but accepted the way of life that had been taught to him, nor had I known the way Sita was born, or the quick tongue of the princess that always caught on a question. Similarly, I didn’t know Lakshmana hadn’t slept during the period of the exile. So there were aspects to each character that I liked discovering.
The Ramayana has many versions in India, original and retellings, both. At the end of each vignette, the author offers his thoughts on the vignette but also tells us which version he has referred to. And more often than not, those thoughts offered me food for thought, just like the original had. Some parts even made me wonder if what I had read before was true, or if it happened the way it is written in this epic retelling.
I’d felt Jaya: the retelling of the Mahabharata was the best I’ve read for retellings of that epic. I’ve no doubt that this book is the best retelling of the Ramayana that I’ve read to date too. Well researched, magically narrated, aptly illustrated… this book will remain a favorite.
Vinay Leo R. | A Bookworm's Musing
Like his retelling of the Mahabharata, Devdutt Pattanaik does the retelling of the Ramayana justice. He goes in depth into the great epic but doesn’t just tell its story again. He offers his thoughts on the vignettes after them. My focus was primarily on the retelling, and I felt that how he narrates it keeps it short and interesting. And again, his artwork spread across the book helped in that aspect, and also to bring a picture to mind. He manages to keep me engaged from the start, and also makes me happy to read about some parts that I hadn’t previously known. He also explains some aspects of today’s culture/traditions that I’d seen but felt a mystery.
These are characters which are so well known, yet the sketches when read seem fresh. I’d not known Rama as a character who never questioned, but accepted the way of life that had been taught to him, nor had I known the way Sita was born, or the quick tongue of the princess that always caught on a question. Similarly, I didn’t know Lakshmana hadn’t slept during the period of the exile. So there were aspects to each character that I liked discovering.
The Ramayana has many versions in India, original and retellings, both. At the end of each vignette, the author offers his thoughts on the vignette but also tells us which version he has referred to. And more often than not, those thoughts offered me food for thought, just like the original had. Some parts even made me wonder if what I had read before was true, or if it happened the way it is written in this epic retelling.
I’d felt Jaya: the retelling of the Mahabharata was the best I’ve read for retellings of that epic. I’ve no doubt that this book is the best retelling of the Ramayana that I’ve read to date too. Well researched, magically narrated, aptly illustrated… this book will remain a favorite.
Vinay Leo R. | A Bookworm's Musing
January 26, 2014
Ramayana is a story of rules, conduct, sacrifice and patience. It is about gathering strength to let it go. Parts of it may be harsh, even heartbreaking but that is how life is. Parting with this book was tough. It is not a very happy ending but then Ram would not look at it like that. Calm and balanced, he always puts Ayodhya first and not himself. This selfless and sacrificial outlook makes him Vishnu walking on earth and elevates him to the position of god.
October 13, 2020
Reliving the stories we know with a different perspective... interesting one
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