Jaya: An Illustrated Retelling of The Mahabharata, Paperback Book, By: Devdutt Pattanaik

High above the sky stands Swarga, paradise, abode of the gods. Still above is Vaikuntha, heaven, the abode of God. The doorkeepers of Vaikuntha are the twins, Jaya and Yijaya, both of whose names mean 'victory'. One keeps you in Swarga; the other raises you into Vaikuntha. In Vaikuntha, there is bliss forever, in Swarga, there is please for only as long as you deserve. What is the difference between Jaya and Vijaya? Solve this puzzle and you will solve the mystery of the Mahabharata. In this enthralling retelling of India's greatest epic, the Mahabharata is originally known as Jaya, Devdutt Pattanaik seamlessly weaves into a single narrative plot from the Sanskrit classic as well as its many folks and regional variants, including the Pandean of Chhattisgarh, Gondhal of Maharashtra, Terukkuttu of Tamil Nade and Yakshagana of Karnataka. Richly illustrated with over 250 line drawings by the author, the 108 chapters abound with little-known details such as the names of the hundred Kauravas, the worship of Draupadi as a goddess in Tamil Nadu, the stories of Astika, Madhavi, Jaimini, Aravan, and Barbareek, the Mahabharata version of the Shakuntalam and the Ramayana, and the dating of the war based on astronomical data. With clarity and simplicity, the tales in this elegant volume reveal the eternal relevance of the Mahabharata, the complex and disturbing meditation on the human condition that has shaped Indian thought for over 3000 years. About the Author: Devdutt Pattanaik is a medical doctor by education, a leadership consultant by profession, and a mythologist by passion. He has written and lectured extensively on the nature of sacred stories, symbols, and rituals and their relevance in modern times. His books include "The Book of Ram, Myth=Mithya: A Handbook of Hindu Mythology "and "The Pregnant King "and "The Book of Kali "is based on his talks.