Jaya: An Illustrated Retelling of the Mahabharata

Outstanding book. If you have read Devdutt before, he won't disappoint you with this one. Rich in depth, fluent in language, and simple in style. The greatest epic ever told. Devdutt simplifies it for us to digest the complex meanings and semiotics of The Mahabharata.

The book making a very enjoyable reading - more so because of the tit -bits of information and the trivia , the pages are peppered with . Very well written and gripping for a story told so many times and so many ways .

The mention in Dharma about -

1. The sense of casteism seems to have developed strong roots then . The fact of three tier society of Rajas , Priests and commoners and one cannot and should not move from one to another may not be relevant in today's world

2. The fact that people should diligently follow the four stages of life - Bhrammacharya , Grihastacharya , ashramacharya and Vanaprashtha and that people should be disciplined to do so is gain not rlevant in today's world .

However a fantastic read and the way the stories are contexualised and weaved into the book with present day relevance - too good to miss out .

This book is extremely powerful....it does not insult the intelligence of the reader nor tries to 'sell' Mahabharata to children by being defensive and apologetic or editing out controversial episodes, as one observes in Rajagopalachari's books or in BR chopra's teleserial......very intelligent for the young generation....everyone knows Bhisma's story but then Devdutt says - he is the young son who gave up sex so that the old father could remarry - such a radical but honest approach.

I had always thought of reading and knowing the Mahabharata but somehow I just couldn't sit down and go through the traditional one. That is when I stumbled upon JAYA. And grateful as I am, this book is for all those who just want to know that little something about our culture and beliefs. The work put in by the author in gathering the facts will leave you absolutely stunned and once you are done with it you would feel like acting like an expert on hindu Mythology.....!!! Really it is that good...... So go ahead and grab your copy..... do not borrow it but Buy it..... it is one of the must haves in your classics.....! Happy Reading...!

dev has done a great service to mahabharat by introducing it in short and interesting form while not losing the strands of the story.
the various viewpoints in regional variants have also been taken care of in the book.
overall a collector's item