Sita: An Illustrated Retelling of the Ramayana
Oct 2013 · Penguin UK
4.4star
184 reviews
Ebook
328
Pages
About this ebook
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.
Ratings and reviews
4.4
184 reviews
Geeta Kharva
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May 1, 2020
Don't read Devdutt Patnaik's books on Sanatana Dharma. They are biased or he have half/corrupt knowledge. See Rajiv Malhotra's video on him.
3 people found this review helpful
Sheetal Bhan Kher
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December 17, 2015
Myth buster... My favourite part... He's god... He won't abandon anyone... I am a Goddess I cannot be abandoned
24 people found this review helpful
Uttara Shah
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October 26, 2013
Good book but pattanaiks jaya (mahabharata) is much better
9 people found this review helpful
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