Devdutt Pattanaik

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Why are historians averse to mythology?

Dharma

17 November 2024, 00:15 IST

Why are historians averse to mythology?

17 November 2024, 00:15 IST

From Yakshas to Nagas — the mainstreaming of local deities

Those who see mythology as history believe the Yakshas and Rakshasas were pre-Aryan forest-dwelling tribes

30 October 2024, 06:06 IST

From Yakshas to Nagas — the mainstreaming of local deities

30 October 2024, 06:06 IST

Hinduism beyond Caste

Dharma

19 October 2024, 21:29 IST

Hinduism beyond Caste

19 October 2024, 21:29 IST

Devdutt Pattanaik | The significance of rebirth

Modern people tend to be contemptuous of tradition and feel they are more rational than their predecessors. But if we accept rebirth as a concept, we need to understand what purpose this narrative tool serves

02 October 2024, 04:44 IST

Devdutt Pattanaik | The significance of rebirth

02 October 2024, 04:44 IST

Recognising Hanuman

Stories such as these provoke conversations. What differentiates an animal from a human? And what differentiates a forest-dweller from a Vedic scholar?

21 September 2024, 22:34 IST

Recognising Hanuman

21 September 2024, 22:34 IST

Devdutt Pattanaik | Uniting India with Itihasa-Purana

Modern secular societies are bound not by gods, but by ideas such as property, justice, equality, and human rights

04 September 2024, 07:36 IST

Devdutt Pattanaik | Uniting India with Itihasa-Purana

04 September 2024, 07:36 IST

On Jhatka and Halal

Vegetarianism in India emerged with monasticism -- with the early monks. It was a sign of a simpler life, shunning rich spicy food, avoiding intoxicants and other indulgences of pleasure. But over time, vegetarianism became about purity and holiness.

24 August 2024, 20:21 IST

On Jhatka and Halal

24 August 2024, 20:21 IST

Devdutt Pattanaik | The many lives of the Buddha

As the story of the Buddha travelled across Southeast, East, and Central Asia, it evolved in many ways

07 August 2024, 05:16 IST

Devdutt Pattanaik | The many lives of the Buddha

07 August 2024, 05:16 IST

Secularising Ramayana and Mahabharata

Curiously, in both epics, Brahmins are not privileged. Ravana, the villain of Ramayana, is a Brahmin. And Drona, the Brahmin teacher of Pandavas, who sides with Kauravas, is beheaded. Few secular scholars comment about this rather subversive aspect of the ‘Brahmanical’ epics.

27 July 2024, 20:51 IST

Secularising Ramayana and Mahabharata

27 July 2024, 20:51 IST

Ride towards the sky, but do not look downwards

It appears as if Sumerian myths are talking about contemporary issues of how the elites deny opportunity to those who they exploit, thus maintaining the status quo

10 July 2024, 06:36 IST

Devdutt Pattanaik | Legacy of those denied success by heartless gods

Ride towards the sky, but do not look downwards

10 July 2024, 06:36 IST