Book Review #41: 99 Thoughts on Ganesha By Devdutt Pattanaik

We all love this elephant headed god, aren't we? He is by far the most loved and respected God throughout India. He is worshipped by each and every one without any religion hindrance. His stories would always fascinate anyone. Probably he is the cutest God that was loved by everyone regardless of the age or gender.

Pattanaik, by now, one of my favorite mythology story tellers, had done ample research before penning this book. His anecdotes are very impressive pertaining to the information he has provided in this book. Though it’s a short book spanning over 160 odd pages, it has everything to know about Lord Ganesha.

Even after having known so many tales and information about Ganesha. What makes this book unique is the extra mile that the author has gone to garn more interesting details and connecting the dots together. Who is Ganesha? What is his background? What makes him so special among the Indians and particularly Hindus? What are the tales behind Ganesha getting the elephant head? What occasion made Lord Shiva to behead Lord Ganesha? Why he has been referred as the obstacle remover? What’s the story behind people chanting Ganapati Bappa Morya? The questions never stop right? Well, if you are finding it hard to get all these information, then this book is the one stop solution to all your doubts. It is rich and resourceful to know about God Ganesha. I must admit that, I had come to know many tales which I never came across all these years.

Like his many other books, Pattanaik has juxtaposed the modern day rituals that can be directly linked to the mythological tales and symbolism with respect to Ganesha. I liked how he had narrated the details that go from India, Thailand till Mongolia. We all know the regular tale behind Ganesha’s elephant head. But Pattanaik has given us few other tales and folklore beliefs behind this story.

What I really liked about this book is, Ganesha that riding on a peacock. Peacock is called “Mor” in Hindi. Thus, it makes clear for the readers that, why people chant, “Ganapati Bappa Morya”. He also mentions about the race between Ganesha and his brother Kartikeya. This race was set up Narada Maharshi to see who has more wisdom and who can think profoundly. Well, Ganesha having a Mouse as his vehicle couldn’t race with his brother Kartikeya who had a flying peacock as his vehicle. So, Lord Ganesha decides to walk around his parents Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati symbolizing them as the whole universe, thus displaying the profound thought. This was a good takeaway from the book.

At the end of the book, author Pattanaik has given a list of popular Ganesha temples across the world. He explained the probable reasons behind why these temples marked as a prominent place of worship. He also explained the different names of Ganesha and its meaning. One such example is “VINAYAKA”, meaning one who was born without the help of a male companion (In Sanskrit VI means “without” and NAYAKA means “male person"). Thanks to the author for explaining something which I was not aware of. The explanation for the Ashta Vinayaka is a fantastic section from the book.

Pattanaik doesn’t forget to mention about the freedom fighter Lokamanya Balagangadhara Tilak who made Ganesha Chaturthi as a public festival. This particular movement has combined people from different walks of life, thereby giving the required momentum for the India’s Independence movement.

I recommend this book to every reader that wants to learn more about Lord Ganesha. May the blessings of Lord Ganesha bestow upon you.

“Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha!!”

My Rating:

5/5

Book Review #36: Shikhandi and Other Tales They Don't Tell You By Devdutt Pattanaik

This is short and very informative book on the most infamous QUEERNESS ideology in India and other parts of the world. He has researched every nook and corner for the queerish tales from the epics of Hindus and several queer examples from the Greek, Egypt and China as well.

This book is an important book for India and Indians considering the LGBT community is not getting enough support from the government for their recognition in the mainstream world. To add ghee to the fire, Our Indian supreme court has ruled out a judgement an year ago which was against the LGBT community. So, these people became criminals and outlaws overnight. Author Devdutt has written an excellent piece of information that serves as a befitting reply to all those moral policing morons that roam around in the country in the name of culture and tradition.

This book is just about 170 odd pages covering close to 30 short stories of queer people from the Puranas, Vedas and epics such as the Mahabharata, Ramayana, etc.. Devdutt also established the context of "Queerness" from the global mythological sphere bringing stories from Vikings, Egyptian Gods, Chinese legends, Bibliographic readings, etc..


In the first half of the book Devdutt explains the pretext behind this "Queerness" and its origins from various places around the world. Later in the 2nd half, there are 30 stories that was available from the Mahabharata, Ramayana, Puranas, Vedas, from even the gods, etc..

Having read his previous books Jaya, The Pregnant King and Sita, I was aware of most of the "QUEER" stories that he has captured in this book. Especially the story of Yuvanashva from The Pregnant King is a fantastic one. Also, I was well accustomed to the stories of Shikhandi, Mohini, Brihannala, Ardhanareeshwara, etc.. I am glad that I came to know about many other queer characters such as Chudala, Gopeshwara, Aravan, Sudyumna, Makara, Samaran, Alli, Pramila, Samba, etc.. The fascinating tales of Narada the messenger forgets that he was a man, God Krishna is a cross-dresser and most of all, Rama when he was leaving for his 14 years of exile, he informs his fellow citizens to head back to the kingdom and wait for his arrival, but addresses them as "All you men and women of my kingdom, please go back to Ayodhya and wait for my arrival", and Rama forgets to address the Queer people who didn't go back but stayed on the banks of the river. Hence, all these people of Queer nature wait for the arrival of Rama at the same river shore where Rama had left 14 years earlier!!.

These are amazing tales that proves time and again that Queerness is not a crime and it is existed since time immemorial. Author has added an excellent note from the vedas at the end of the book which says "Vikruti Evam Prakruti" that can be translated as "Queerness too is a part of nature".

My Rating:
4/5